Posted on 12/06/2016 12:55:42 PM PST by lafroste
I have an old 2 GHz machine running Windows XP Pro. This computer has sat unused for several years in an un air conditioned/heated space. It was working fine when I turned it off for the last time. I have recently developed a need to use this machine and it has valuable data on it. However, when I turn it on all I get is an immediate and rhythmic beep. The BIOS doesn't even start it just beeps at me. What is it telling me is wrong with it? I tested the hard drives in another computer and they work. (and I recovered the data).
Physical inspection of the machine does not show anything obvious. Any help is appreciated.
My guess would be a new power supply.
How many beeps? It is actually a not so secret code:
http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm
Get the manuals for the computer online, if possible, to help find this (location and type).
A bad video card/ card connection use to cause stuff like that.
Because of some interlock thing.
Sounds like the CMOS battery is kaput.....
In before “Are you logged in?”
Remove and reinstall the ram
Keyboard, monitor, video card, memory.
Make sure somebody didn’t ‘borrow’ anything.
On board battery most likely.
Your CMOS battery probably died. That is where the system info is stored. You might pull that battery out and put in a new one. It is usually a flat 2013 battery if I remember correctly. That would be the cheapest thing and first thing I would try.
My bet is on the battery as well. Cheap fix.
Unplug and replace every cable connector in the computer
Battery....
Time to get a new computer. You can get one for Christmas.
How many beeps? It is actually a not so secret code:
http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm
==
Yup, those are diagnostic beeps. Best place to start.
Try a new battery. But usually it will boot up regardless. Hit the F1 key when it starts beeping. Make sure all the PCI cards are in and boot it back up.
My guess is the bios battery has died.
Make sure the keyboard is good.
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