Why does my Dell Precision Workstation beep 10 times and not boot?

Question

I just installed a nVidia GeForce 4 MX440 graphics card (64Mb RAM 8xAGP) and my PC turns on (the fans turn) but the monitor stays blank and the PC beeps 10 times and the fans turn until I turn it off.

Some great answers so far.

Answer 1

10 Beeps: CMOS shutdown register read/write error

some component on the motherboard is producing an error when trying to communicate with the CMOS memory that holds the Bios setting..

i suggest that u remove the graphic card and try using ur old display adapter to see if its works.. if it does, then the culprit is the geforce card!

Answer 2

On power up the computer's BIOS (Basic Input Output System) performs a POST (Power On Self Test). This POST generates a sequence of beeps to enable you to identify faults.

the POST test isn't that complex but follows roughly the following sequence:

1. the BIOS performs a test of core hardware, itself, the processor, CMOS, the input/output system and so forth. Any errors detected are reported as a series of beeps.
2. the BIOS tests the video subsystem
3. the BIOS identifies itself
4. The BIOS tests main system memory

Beep codes:

Although the exact beep codes vary by BIOS manufacturer (yes there are more than just one), the following lists some of the more common ones used:

1 short beep: Typically, this means no problems were found. Some systems sound two beeps to indicate all is well.
3 long beeps: A keyboard error.
8 short beeps: Video adapter memory problems
9 short beeps: A BIOS problem.
10 short beeps: A CMOS problem.
1 long and 3 short beeps: A memory error.

For a more complete reference visit:

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

This, unfortunately, suggests that your CMOS has been corrupted. It may be that your new graphics card contradicts some CMOS setting and replacing the old card (or a different one) may cure this. Otherwise it may mean that you need to replace your motherboard. Sorry for the bad news.

Answer 3

ok mate im sorry i hope this hasnt happend but was looking on the net and found this................. 10 Short Beeps Your problem lies deep inside the CMOS. All chips associated with the CMOS will likely have to be replaced. Your best bet is to get a new motherboard................ i hope you find a solution to you prob



ok when you start youre computer it goes through a sequance of tests known as Power On Self Test or post for short depending on what model you are useing you will get a sequance of beeps if something is wrong although i have never heard of 10 beeps unles you meen a continuous flow of beeps being as you have just installed a new graphics card i would check youre power suply you might find youre running a low 250/300 watt failing that hear is a basic list of bleeps for you but you might need to get a more detailed 1 for youre mother board as this is standered list it might help....... short beep
Normal POST - system is ok
2 short beeps POST Error - error code shown on screen
No beep Power supply or system board problem
Continuous beep Power supply, system board, or keyboard problem
Repeating short beeps Power supply or system board problem
1 long, 1 short beep System board problem
1 long, 2 short beeps Display adapter problem (MDA, CGA)
1 long, 3 short beeps Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA)
3 long beeps 3270 keyboard card

Answer 4

Hello,

(ANS) The workstation isn't finding or detecting your hardware correctly, and isn't loading the operating system either.

Start up sequence:-

**loads the system bios (shows as first item)
**memory count down
**detection of hardware such as hard disks, dvd's or CD drives, floppy disk.
**Detection of mouse & keyboard.
Followed by>>>
After this the workstation should then attempt to load windows (the operating system)

Windows at boot up will next attempt to load all the "device drivers" from its list which is stored in the windows registry. If you have a missing or damaged device driver windows may struggle to load it, or will fail to load it. You must ensure that the new graphics card drivers are installed correctly.

NOTE: A common problem with add on cards such as graphics cards is that they don't get seated properly in the AGP slot. I recommend that you open up the base unit, remove the card physically and then re-seat the card back into its slot making sure its firmly and very precisely seated again.

Next Make sure your graphics card device drivers (software that allows windows to recognize this specific card, and for the card to talk happily with windows).

Windows should attempt to auto detect your new hardware anyway, and will ask you to install the drivers if you have a disk, if you don't have a disk it will try and install drivers (generic one's) as best as it can, attempting to make as best a match drivers as it can.

Hope that helps?

Best Regards Ivan
(DELL Precision 330 user).

Answer 5

Unplug PC, then reseat your graphics card. Better clean the AGP slot first with a small paint brush. Inspect graphics card contact pins. If they do not look shiny, try cleaning them with the eraser tip of a pencil.

Answer 6

I had a similar problem until I realised that there was a power connector on the new graphics card that I had not supplied with power (via one of the unused connectors from the CPU).

Answer 7

Maybe the video card is bad, or you don't have an AGP 8x port.

When i looked at the precisions most have a PCI express slot not AGP 8x. Maybe your AGP is only 6x or 4x?

If it boots without that video card in, try different one.

Answer 8

sounds like your HDD is going bad. try booting into safe mode and update your drivers for video and audio (they are usually the culprit for device failures.) after that if you still get the same problem...go buy a new HDD and install your OS on it with the "old" HDD in slave mode. then you can just copy your files to the new drive.