Computer beeping and not starting

[I'm not a robot]

Hello, I need help please.

My computer just froze and I couldn't use the mouse to move the cursor so I turned it off by holding down the power button.

Now when I turn it on it doesn't start up and keeps beeping.

Any suggestions appreciated

Thanks

 

[foxhole]

Google “how to start pc in safe mode”.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Now when I turn it on it doesn't start up and keeps beeping.

How many beeps?
What motherboard?
Can you post a photo of anything it shows on screen?

 

[I'm not a robot]

It is back on now, I unplugged it and left it for a while then tried turning on while tapping the escape key and it came on, not sure if tapping the scape key had anything to do with it but it's just something I read online while looking for help.

I also read online that my particular beeping sequence might be a RAM issue, I'm not very tech savvy so wouldn't know how to check if it's okay or not, is there a way to get a diagnosis of some sort?

I did have an issue with this computer a few years ago and lost a hard drive, I think it was to do with my computer not being compatible with windows 10 and very short on disk space.

 

[dave_104]

Beeping is quite often a RAM issue and the number/duration of beeps can be confirmed with the system vendor or motherboard manufacturer. It can be down to dirty contacts and taking out/putting back in again helps wipe any surface contamination - or wipe them with a fibreglass eraser pen. Try also swapping them over in different RAM slots. Memtest86 or similar does diags.

 

[I'm not a robot]

Beeping is quite often a RAM issue and the number/duration of beeps can be confirmed with the system vendor or motherboard manufacturer. It can be down to dirty contacts and taking out/putting back in again helps wipe any surface contamination - or wipe them with a fibreglass eraser pen. Try also swapping them over in different RAM slots. Memtest86 or similar does diags.

You make it sound easy but unfortunately I wouldn't even know what to swap over or wipe, are you saying I need to open up the computer?

 

[I'm not a robot]

I turned the computer on this morning and within 5 minutes it froze again, I pulled the power cable out and left it for a few minutes then tried again and it's on again, but for how long?

 

[Koolpc]

Make sure power is unplugged. Open up computer. Look at the motherboard (everything is plugged into it)...there should be a make/model number printed on it....

Copy that, go online and search for beep alerts for your motherboard....

When online, look for diagram of your motherboard...it will show you where the ram is. It could need pulling out and pushing back in. Extremely easy to do.

Make sure pc unplugged!!

 

[RandomGrinch]

Sort of as @Koolpc suggests, but if you post a picture of the motherboard, we can guide you along the way!

We can also go a software diagnostic route.
There can be many causes for a system crash, and there are diagnostic tools and logs that we can look at.
But if we start with the BIOS beeps, we can look at the memory.
As @dave_104 suggests a program called memtest86 can be downloaded and installed on a memory stick, or there is a built in windows tool to test memory. This article tells you how...

https://www.howtogeek.com/260813/how-to-test-your-computers-ram-for-problems/

 

[I'm not a robot]

Okay thanks so what should I do first?

 

[dave_104]

Maybe try looking on Youtube and seeing generic videos of what you're looking for. The RAM usually sits in some black slots about 5" long and the RAM modules are released by pressing the clips at either end at the same time, which pops the RAM out. Push RAM back in and the clips go back (make sure you put it back the same way around). The contacts are all gold and along one edge - on front and back. Gently wipe or ideally get a fibreglass erasor. Avoid over-touching the rest of the RAM. As suggested - remove power cable first!
Depending on the spec of the computer and if there is actually a fault with the RAM which requires replacement, then it may be worth considering replacing the whole unit. There's a lot of machines on ebay at the moment for about £25 with 8Mb, i5 and SSD - cheap because they're not capable of running Windows 11 but would run Win-10 perfectly.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Okay thanks so what should I do first?

First, you need to diagnose what the bleeps mean..

 

[Koolpc]

Okay thanks so what should I do first?

Ignore my post!

 

[JohnD]

Is it a laptop or a desktop?

How old?