Hi went to start my PC this morning, and it wont go.
It beeps once as usual, goes to the Win-fast logo screen (press DEL for this F2 for that, etc) then it doesn't do anything.
The small fan on motherboard keeps running, but the big fan above the heatsink stops. My graphics card (PCI-e) fan is going too if thats relevant.

Thought it might be RAM so I tried moving my RAM to the other slots but the second and fourth slots i get a long BEEEEEP... BEEEEEP... and nothing, I assume their like secondary slots or something. The first and third slots have same problem. I tried a RAM from my mums PC that I'm sure works fine and still had same problem.

Any other suggestions? or relevant information I should be posting. Thanks

Hi,

You should look at POST to familiarize yourself, link does show the beep codes for both BIOS types.

For your first test giving 'one beep' represents 'Memory refresh timer error'. You sure the memory is matched to the motherboard. Proper slot assignments? Check the MB manual.

Swapping memory can be dangerous if you don't know what your doing. Why cripple another machine (your mothers) to test yours? The potential of crippling is minor but still there.

What is the motherboard in use? Memory specs?

FYI: I suggest that you look at 'How to Ask Questions the Smart Way' so in the future your queries provide information that will aid us in diagnosis of the problem or query.



I never knew that. The PC has beeped once on start up as long as I can remember. If I start it with the RAM in the 2nd or 4th slots, it beeps continuously but its a longer beep

Motherboard is quite old its a Winfast nfk48aa. The RAM is a single 512MB DDR. I've had the PC about 4 years so its argueably time for a new one, but I dont really want to shell out when this one does (did) everything I need. I used to have 2 RAM sticks, but I think I had the same problem last year, and taking one RAM out sorted it, thats why I thought RAM again, but I'm not having any luck

Hi,

Try with just the first stick to see if you can get into the BIOS. Then look to see how the memory is setup. Sometimes the BIOS has 'AUTO' for memory, check that. Then see if you can get boot.

You certain that the memory is classed the same?

memory is classed the same as what? theres only one RAM in it. I had two the same, and took one out last year, I think that wa for the same problem, or similar.

Anyway its fixed itself. Not sure what I did, I was about to try swapping power supplys with the old PC but gave it a try with everything unplugged bar one HDD and it started. Plugged everything back in one at a time, tried it every time and it works again with everything plugged in. I'd still like to know what was wrong with it though.

Still beeps once on start up. Im sure it always has. Is that normal, or is that the POST error pattern? memory refresh problem was it? Is there anyway to find out without the motherboard manual, which i almost definatley dont have any more. Thanks

Hi,

Mixed timing DDR will not always work together. This will depend on the memory controller on the MB.

Go to the motherboard manufactures site an download a manual, usually pdf format.

Assuming you have POST then look for basics. Unplug everything from the pc just keep the mouse, monitor and keyboard. Make sure there is no cd/dvd in the cdrom drive.
Hope this helps.

A single beep on booting is normally 'POST without any errors'.

If you dont have the motherboard manual, and dont want to bother getting it you can normally find a list of the POST error codes by searching for your BIOS type and/or motherboard model.

I would run memtest, now that it boots. It could have been a loose cable.