Hardware trouble

Discussion in 'General Hardware' started by jumper55, May 1, 2006.

  1. jumper55

    jumper55 Geek Trainee

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    My wife bought me a used computer at a cheap price due to hardware trouble I can do upgrades on a healty computer but not to good on one that is not. Anyway it is an hp pavilion a705w running xp sp2 when I turn it on it beeps but I get no signal to monitor I was wondering if this could be that the onboard video card is bad and if so how can I resolve the problem. any help will be appreciated.
     
  2. megamaced

    megamaced Geek Geek Geek!

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    What is the exact combination of beeps? Would it be any of the following:

    1 long beep - 2 short beeps
    1 long beep - 3 short beeps
    Constant long beeps
    Constant short beeps
    2 short beeps
     
  3. jumper55

    jumper55 Geek Trainee

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    constant long beeps
     
  4. jumper55

    jumper55 Geek Trainee

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    long constant beeps with pause between each one
     
  5. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    it could be the onboard grfx (i hate onboard grfx, to eliminate the onboard grfx plug any old grfx card in) also try reseating the RAM, cos it may not be making a good connection
     
  6. jumper55

    jumper55 Geek Trainee

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    Thanks I thought that might be the problem but wasn't sure I will get a card some time today and try I really appreciate your help
     
  7. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    not a problem, if that isn't the problem just post here !
     
  8. megamaced

    megamaced Geek Geek Geek!

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    Hold your horses!

    I don't think it is a graphics card failure!

    Constant long beeps is typically assiociated with memory failure. This could mean:

    - Incompatible memory
    - Memory not seated properly/not detected
    - Bad memory / dead
     
  9. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    thats why i said "try reseating the RAM, with maga saying that then i'd change direction and head for the RAM, cos he's more than a bit good with pc's
     
  10. jumper55

    jumper55 Geek Trainee

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    I took the memory out and made sure it was seated but still nothing then I changed slots and the comuter booted up after it booted it started going off and on continually so now I have a new problem. I switched it back to the first slot and it will not detect. what now any ideas
     
  11. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    right we've established it's a problem with the RAM, try cleaning the RAM contacts with some isopropol alcohol (but do NOT drink it) it is available from the chemist or pharmacy, apply with a cotton wool bud then reinstall it, try it in both slots
     
  12. jumper55

    jumper55 Geek Trainee

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    I cleaned everything but it did no good computer boots when memory is in the second slot but turns on and off I don't have anything with pc3200 memory don't know if motherboard is bad or just memoryif anyone has any suggestions it will be appreciated greatly think I'll dring the cleaning alchol now
     
  13. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    NO ya muppet, don't drink it. i think the time has come to try different RAM, cheaper than a M/B
     
  14. jumper55

    jumper55 Geek Trainee

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    I ordered a new stick of ram it will be here in a few day's now I have one more problem when I start up it say's it is missing <window root>\system32\drivers\ntfs.sys how do I get these if I don't have a restore disk I always back up my system on my on computer but some people don't.
     
  15. donkey42

    donkey42 plank

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    i think you'd be better off getting some advice from someone with more expirience with XP cos i'd say reinstall windows over the top of itself and when you get the option to format the drive, don't, but that could cause more problems
     

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