PC has just died 3 bios beeps

Hi Geeks,

Last night I was running my machine and it started making funny noises like whirring noises, I was shutting it down anyway so wasn't too concerned.

This morning I swithced it on it got right through to windows desktop and then just powered itself off.

After that I couldn't get as far as desktop even in safemode it would get to the os windows splash screen and then power down.

I tried different socket, diff plug and still the same.

I opened it up and it was CLOGGED with dust so I've cleaned it now, I even removed the heat sink and re-attached it to make sure it was connected properly and it is.

Check all connections OK

Swithced it on a tenth time and got 3 bios beeps then it powered off, now it will only power on for about 3 secs, but when it is shut down there is still power going to the board so I don't think it's the PSU

It's an athalon AMD 64 Venice core 3700 - Board is nvidia something An8 bit pro or something like that, nvidia graphics 6600 - 500 watt psu - 1 gig of ram (2 500 sticks) Win XP pro edition.

Any suggestions and does anyone know what 3 bios beeps means???

Thanks:-D

 

OK update, the reason it was only powering for 3 seconds is because you have to wait 30 seconds to try it again after a mechanical fault...

So after waiting it does power on for longer, I did get 4 bios beeps aswell 3 quick ones a small pause and long one???

But then powering it on later on NO bios beeps?

but still shutting itself down. There is a digit display on the mortherboard displaying post codes: I looked in my manual it gets as far as 7F before it shuts itself down

7F = Switch back to text mode if full screen logo is supported
-if errors occur, report errors and wait for keys
-if no errors occur or F1 key is pressed to continue: Clear EPA or customization logo

So wtf does that mean? Graphics? If it was CPU would it run at all?

The problem is I don't have much money and don't want to get a new cpu to find it's NOT that or PSU, so any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks

Mike

 

Checked all connections and they are tight thanks,

Yeah my fan seems to be spinning just fine, now the PC will turn on for about 3 secs then power straight off, RARELY it will stay on for 15 seconds

If I'd fried the CPU would it turn on at all?

Can I rule out PSU and Graphics? as I can still see the screen briefly when I turn it on?

Do you think I should try a new fan?

Thanks