Computer Freezes, Long Beep - Now It Won't Boot!

Hey guys. I have an HP desktop computer that's been giving me trouble.

Three week ago I had to start using my on-board video because I couldn't get windows to boot and couldn't see anything on the screen either. It seems the PCI express slot got fried or something, I don't know. The GPU is a BFG Tech Geforce 8600 GT 512 MB GDDR3. It works on another PC though.

Anyways, I've been using the on-board video since then, and it was working fine up until now. The computer just froze and started beeping. I turned it off, then when I turned it back on, I get no video! I just hear the fans running, and it doesn't seem to even boot into windows. I doubt the LCD is the problem.

Any ideas what's going on here?

Specs:

HP Media Centre Edition PC
AMD Athlon X2 6800+
4 GB RAM
320 GB HD
Soundblaster Xfi Xtreme Gamer sound card
300 Watt PSU

Anything else you guys want to know?


Thanks in advance guys. MG has always been there for me :major

 

What is the beep code? Is like one long two shot etc.

 

I don't know it doesn't give a beep when I turn it on. I just here the fans running loudly.

 

You should at least get one single POST-beep signaling that the POST went through and everything passed. The fact you don't means at least one of your components is gone.... that your PCI slot seems fried is a bad sign. Do the LEDs on the motherboard come on and stay on?

Try this:

Pull out the memory and try starting it up. If everything except the memory is working you should get the "no memory available" beep code, usually three beeps, then a pause, three beeps again, and a pause. If you don't get that, next step is to remove the CPU and see if you get error beeps now.

Also do you have access to another PSU that you can test with. If I was building your rig I would consider 450W the absolute minimum, 300W is really in the lowest range for being able to power all the things you have plugged in.

If you don't have a beefier PSU, remove all but one memory module, remove your sound card, and unplug the optical drive, then try to boot again. If that works, buy a bigger PSU.

 

It's an HP so it doesn't give a beep during POST.

I removed all components including the RAM, and I got no beeps. I usually get beeps when I remove the RAM. But nothing this time. I just hear the fans loudly spinning. I'm suspecting the CPU is dead.


Ye the PCI Express slot fried or something a few week ago.

 

I also ran it with one RAM module, while the sound card and the optical drive were unplugged. It was a no go.

 

Ouch. Yes, either your CPU or your motherboard is dead. Hopefully CPU, since they are a bit cheaper to replace.

 

You mean motherboard.

Here is a test. Try to remove the ram and turn it on. It should then have one long beep repeating. If no beeps at all the mobo/cpu could be gone.

 

Yep I've done that already, no beeps

I think CPU is dead! I'm not certain though. How can I check? How much would a replace CPU cost me? I have AMD Athlon X2 6800+ (I think)

 

it could be one or the other or both. Really no way to check inless you put your old cpu in a new motherboard to check if it's the CPU.

PSU could also be an issue. Check the voltages of the PSU with a multimeter if you have one.