-No Safe Mode Screen or any other warning
-Got no image whatsoever
-Monitor works
-Made 4 or 5 bad "beeps"
-8 months old
-Tech said possibly "Video Card"
-Everything connected
-If it's a "Video Card", what am I looking at in terms of $$$ replacement - and what can i expect upon repair?
2006-12-28 01:02:36 · 11 answers · asked by Frank 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
First check the seating of your RAM sticks. Take them out and ensure they are properly in place, then try booting again.
2006-12-28 01:06:13 · answer #1 · answered by robsrecordbin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Made 4 or 5 bad "beeps" "
The beeps are important. The number and type of beeps indicate what the problem is. Do you have information on the motherboard, because the mobo specs will say what the beeps mean. If you can't figure out what the beeps mean, contact tech support, and have them get you the answer.
"Tech said possibly "Video Card""
Possibly? Did he actually bother to look up the beeps in the mobo specs? Get a tech who does that for you.
"If it's a "Video Card", what am I looking at in terms of $$$ replacement - and what can i expect upon repair?"
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php/page_id=5
Actually it depends on what you have currently. If it's an onboard video card, meaning embedded into the motherboard, you either have to replace the motherboard itself or get a separate video card. If the video card is not onboard (meaning an real video card), then you need to swap that with something compatible.
Once again, you know what's compatible when you check the motherboard specs. Video card prices range from $100-$400, and obviously there are those below or above. If you don't know anything about building your own computer, you have a lower end video card, and it's more like $100.
If it really is the video card, the tech should just swap the video card, which is a rather painless process.
2006-12-28 09:11:35 · answer #2 · answered by csanon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get the variation of the beep codes, it will tell you what is wrong with your machine. There will be either 3 or 4 sets of beeps, not the pauses and such. So if it beeps twice then pauses for a second then beeps 3 times, pauses for a second then beeps one more time, then that is a 2-3-1 beep code, and just look it up on google. Does power maintain itself on motherboard? If you do have a video card, open up your case and make sure its seated correctly. Another issue could be your RAM, try taking out one stick a time, to determine which one is bad if that is the case. Beep codes also could mean your motherboard or CPU has gone bad.. You can replace a video card yourself its very simple, just find instructions on the internet. You pretty much open your case, take the card out by pulling it- and if there is a screw holding it down-unscrew it, Put the new card in, boot up.. (this is if your replacing it with the same card). If it is a different card then you would have to disable the video adapter in device manager, turn off your machine, put in new one, Install new drivers, uninstall old drivers..
2006-12-28 09:09:09 · answer #3 · answered by keith s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beeps at Start Up are coded. That is the number and duration of the beeps are a code to the problem.
The Main Board Manual will explain what the beeps mean.
Generally if you hear beeps at Startup up you have a RAM or Video Card failure.
Unplug all the cards and Drives and restart the computer to see if it POSTs - Power On System Test - If so reconnect the devices one by one until the POST fails.
To be sure you need to be able to swap replacement parts in.
If you can not do that consider getting your machine to a repair center that can properly diagnose the problem.
2006-12-28 09:11:10 · answer #4 · answered by Gowrie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Video cards aren't very expensive if you aren't looking for the latest and greatest. Check on eBay, possibly with a techy friend who can tell you what kind of video card to get.
Here's an important question: is the power light on the CPU on? Can you hear the bits inside working when you turn it on? If so the problem is likely the video card because the video signal is not getting sent to the monitor. If there are no signs of life from the main unit at all, the power supply is probably blown (also not terribly expensive to replace).
2006-12-28 09:07:54 · answer #5 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, thats so sorry to hear, im not sure but i think it could be the power plug in, it might of had a shock, When i had a shock my computer turned on barley, and made beeps then jus turned off, the fan of the computer should be replaced also, Call a real tech, ask best buys geek squad
2006-12-28 09:07:05 · answer #6 · answered by DMC. Clan Leaders 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure the plug to the cpu is in securely. If its connected to a different power supply then the monitor make sure that is working properly.
2006-12-28 09:08:45 · answer #7 · answered by tw0cl0n3m3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There may be some problem in RAM also.
Please try replacing RAM with your friend. And if the problem is of RAM then purchased the ne one.
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2006-12-28 09:07:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask for a technician
2006-12-28 09:10:14 · answer #9 · answered by Rim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you have motherboard problem.
2006-12-28 09:07:56 · answer #10 · answered by Dhiman B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋