QUESTION: When I start my computer it stays black on the monitor, but the PC just beeps, getting higher in pitch. Then it stops beeping and it does nothing - it is on but it just sits there until I press the power button, at which point it turns off. Sometimes it works, goes to the memory test and finishes that, then comes up with CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR. How do I get it to stop beeping and to fix the error?
Peter
ANSWER: The beeping will be in a specific pattern, so count the beeps and keep track of whether they are long or short beeps and what the exact pattern is. You can then contact tech support for the manufacturer and find out what error the beep pattern is referring to. From there you may be able to find out if it is fixable.
If you can't determine what the beep pattern means then the following applies.
It sounds like your BIOS (the program that controls the startup), which is stored on the CMOS, may be corrupt. It could be that the CMOS chip itself is damaged. Before you do anything else unplug the power, open the case and then remove all expansion cards, unplug the drives, remove the RAM, and disconnect the keyboard and mouse. Leave the video card in (if there is one) and the monitor attached. Reconnect the power and turn on the power switch.
If it starts to a black screen without any beeps, you may have bad RAM. If it starts with three long beeps (the usual 'no RAM' beep code) then turn it off and reinsert the RAM and restart.
If it has onboard video (no add in video card) skip the next step. If it has the original symptom, then shut it off and take out the video card (if it has one) and restart. If it starts silently then you have a bad video card.
When you have resolved whether the problem is video or not then restart with a new video card if necessary.
If it starts to an error message saying there is no keyboard or drive not found then you have a problem with one of the expansion cards or a device that you disconnected. If that is the case, then you can reconnect or reinsert one at a time and restart after each one. (Make sure the power is disconnected when you're doing anything inside the case.) When you get back to the original symptom you will have identified the bad part.
If, after disconnecting everything, you have the same symptom, you will most likely need a new computer, or at the very least a new motherboard. If the BIOS is corrupt or the CMOS is damaged you could try to find a new chip for that model of motherboard, but it's a lot easier and usually not any more expensive, to just replace the motherboard because the CMOS chip is attached to the motherboard.
If your motherboard uses a CPU that does not use the current version of mounting socket you will also have to replace the CPU, possibly the RAM, and maybe the power supply and other peripherals. It is possible that you would be just as far ahead to go and get a new PC.
Nerds On Site Support Team and Globetechnology.com
