Strange POST Problem

In the last few days, my PC has taken 2 or sometimes 3 attempts to start. On the failed attempts, the POST beep sequence sounds as if it is producing 2 short and 3 slightly longer beeps. Neither attached display is detecting a signal when this happens. Once reset, the PC starts and runs normally.

This only appears to occur first thing in the day (ie. after being left overnight). If the PC us powered off for several hours during the day, it will start normally.

No hardware changes have been made and the PC has run well for 6+ months prior to this.

The motherboard (Asus A8N-SLI Premium) manual contains no list of POST beep codes (despite referring to one in the text) and there is no updated manual in soft copy on the manufacturers website. I believe the BIOS is AWARD based, and there are no general details on POST codes for that type of BIOS as far as I can google.

I'm leaning towards a graphics card (HIS Excalibur ATI Radeon X1900 XT ICEQ 3) problem or PSU problem. The PSU is a recent and (I believe) pretty decent SLI approved 600W model from Enermax (one of the Noisetaker range iirc).

Any ideas? TIA...

 

Might try reading this and see if it helps, http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml .

 

Thanks for the link, but as I understand it, my board has an AWARD based BIOS. The link you gave has this to say on them...

"Award Software software products are sold to a board or system manufacturer ("hardware vendor"), who customizes them further before selling the system."

...which is information I have seen in a number of places without being refuted, so I'm accepting it as accurate. Unfortunately, as per my OP, Asus decided not to make this information available, leaving people like me in the lurch, somewhat.

Thanks for reading and taking the time to reply.

 

What you said is true.

 

You might try reading this also, http://www.google.com/search?q=Asus...s=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

 

Yes, done plenty of googling but I haven't found anything specific enough to be helpful.

Any ideas what the problem might be given the other symptoms I listed?

Thanks again.

 

Found some more links
http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/awardbeep.htm
http://www.amptron.com/html/bios.beepcodes.html
http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

none of them appear to mention your particular beep code.


I would try reseating your video card and your memory
and making sure all fans are working and clean

 

I'll try that, thank you.