Old PC double beeping on startup


  1. bigseb
    Posts : 3,434
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Old PC double beeping on startup


    I have an old PC that I want to get running again. It always beeped once on startup so that was to my mind normal. Its been standing around for over year and in that time I removed the HDD and GPU. Both have now been reinstalled but when I powered it up there is the usual one beep followed by two double beeps. Nothing else happens i.e. nothing shows on the monitor.

    Any clues as to what might be wrong? Its not critical and I am not a PC tech guy, just trying to see if the PC can be resurrected. Cheers.
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  3. Berton
    Posts : 14,020
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #2

    A couple of things come to mind, one is that the CMOS battery has died [CMOS stores the users BIOS settings], it's usually a CR-2032 and the other is something on the motherboard needs reseating like the memory modules, may have some corrosion due to being unused over time.
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  4. Caledon Ken
    Posts : 30,189
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       New #3

    Depends on BIOS.

    Two beeps can be a memory "POST" code. Remove and reseat. Try one stick at a time in correct slot for one stick.

    Can you start BIOS and see whos BIOS you are using.

    Then you can look up POST codes for that make.

    Computer POST and beep codes


    Ken
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. bigseb
    Posts : 3,434
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Reseated the ram and replaced the battery. No change though. One quick beep on startup!, a few seconds later two long beeps, a few seconds after that another two long beeps then a few seconds after that two short beeps. Nothing shows on the screen at all.
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  7. Ghot
    Posts : 23,254
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.4355 (x64) [22H2]
       New #5

    bigseb said:
    Reseated the ram and replaced the battery. No change though. One quick beep on startup!, a few seconds later two long beeps, a few seconds after that another two long beeps then a few seconds after that two short beeps. Nothing shows on the screen at all.
    Do you know the make and model of the motherboard in the old computer? We could look up the beep codes, that way too.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  8. bigseb
    Posts : 3,434
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Intel Whitesburg is all I can remember. I googled that when I read your post but not sure if they apply to me (or what that actually means in plain english). As I said before I'm not really clued up in tech stuff.
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  9. Caledon Ken
    Posts : 30,189
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       New #7

    Can you enter BIOS?

    Not sure of key, esc, del, f2 are all possible candidates.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  10. Ztruker
    Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       New #8

    What is the make and full model number of the PC or motherboard?
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  12. Steve C
    Posts : 7,905
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       New #9

    Remove and install the new battery again to reset the battery and load the bios defaults. Check the security of all power and data cable connection inside the PC. You need to decode the beep code to identify the problem. Some motherboards have an alphanumeric readout on the motherboard giving an error code of the boot failure. Enter the bios and check all devices including the HDD are being detected.
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  13. bigseb
    Posts : 3,434
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #10

    An update, albeit a late one:

    I binned the thing. Some much more wrong with it I decided to donate it to the tip. Thanks for everyone that chipped in :)
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

 

  Related Discussions
My hands shake. So, when I click on something, I often get an undesired double click and often accidentally double letters when I'm typing. Is there a way to slow my PC's response to clicks and keystrokes by A VERY SMALL AMOUNT so as to ignore the...
Beeping noise after Windows 10 upgrade
in Performance & Maintenance

Ever since upgrading to Windows 10 I have this beeping noise on my computer. Sometimes it's a single beep, sometimes double. I have tried changing system sounds, turning off notification sounds. Of all the system sounds available that were switched...
Re beeping noise from PC
in Drivers and Hardware

Hello I think I have the answer, but would like someone to confirm my theory.... My PC has started beeping intermittently, I believe it only happens when transferring files across...I noticed that when the PC beeps the file transfer stops for...
Computer beeping
in General Support

I recently upgraded to Windows 10, and now I find that after sitting for a while, my computer seems to lock up - the screen is black and will not come on, and the computer itself is beeping... Any suggestions as to what may be causing this????
Random Mouse Lagging and beeping !
in Drivers and Hardware

Hi guys how are you? Since yesterday im having this issue, my mouse starts lagging and beeping and i cant do anything else at the pc, the keyboard still works but if i turn the pc off or try to restart nothinh happens, i need to to press the...
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

 © Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:02.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums