Computer hardware - please help

[Joeku]

So, my grandma was playing mahjongg on her computer when, for some reason or another, it froze up. She decided the best solution to fix this would be to flip the switch on her surge protector and cut power to her computer. Now, it appears that something's broken.

Here's the motherboard: Foxconn - Products: Motherboard

When I turn it on, I get what sounds like either: A. one extremely long post beep, or B. one long post beep followed by two very rapid beeps. Then, after a couple of seconds, it just goes nuts and starts beeping in rapid succession without stopping.
No signal is sent to the monitor.

I'm guessing that since the monitor isn't even coming up with the Foxconn logo screen or the BIOS screen, the motherboard's dead. I'm really not sure how to interpret the post beeps though, and the website and manual are nearly useless.

I really don't want to start buying replacement parts without being sure that's what I need to do, though. Any ideas?
Thanks.

[Joeku]

Originally Posted by Foxconn Technical Support e-mail

Dear Joe:

Do you get the same beep codes if you were to turn the system ON without RAMs?

Originally Posted by Me

I just tried turning it on without any RAM installed.
Now it just emits one steady beep that never ends.

Originally Posted by Foxconn Technical Support e-mail

Dear Joe:

Minimize your system configuration. For example try just one stick of RAM and if you have a PCIe x16 video card please remove it and then plug in the monitor cable to the onboard VGA instead..

Originally Posted by Me

I tried this twice (once with each stick of RAM) - no luck. The problem remains the same.
I was already using the onboard VGA. Other than that, the system configuration is already minimal.

Originally Posted by Foxconn Technical Support e-mail

Dear Joe:

If the motherboard does not recognize the memory then it would give you the continuous beeps, nonstop until you turn off the system. Please try different brands of RAM just to make sure. Because most of the time if the board does give out beep code then it means that most likely the motherboard is fine.

Originally Posted by Me

As I said already, the system was working perfectly fine before.
Just to be sure, I tested this RAM out in a different computer and it worked fine. Then, I tried different RAM in this computer and it still does the same thing.

So the RAM has nothing to do with it...

Originally Posted by Foxconn Technical Support e-mail

Dear Joe:

If that is the case, please RMA the motherboard to the place of purchase or reseller if you just bought it.

... .

[Ronin Warrior]

onboard graphics or a card? graphics messing up will do the same, tho im not familiar with beeps so i couldnt say for sure

edit - just read that the pc was using onboard.....

its possible its the motherboard or all the ram chips fuxed (unlikely but possible) got any spare sticks you know is good, or a pc that you can throw those in to make sure they are still good?

[Anti-Basic]

Virus .

[jhs59]

Try changing the powersupply to a known working one first. I would wager either the powersupply or the motherboard...

Why would she flip off the switch on the power strip instead of just restarting the PC?

[mordero]

Originally Posted by jhs59

...Why would she flip off the switch on the power strip instead of just restarting the PC?

Originally Posted by Joeku

So, my grandma was ...

@ AB - i agree

[Radwen]

Virus .
Prolly the PSU that fucked up from being a cheap ass product and can't give a stable current to the mobo.

[Arkad]

Mahjongg system requirements: 1gig Ram P4 2ghz processor

[Hammerhand]

One long beep followed by 2 short ones is usually a video problem. Since its an integrated video system, you might need to replace the motherboard. But, with installing a video card and disabling the onboard, you could get away with not having to replace the motherboard itself. About the only 2 options you have. Other than either buying her a new computer or loaning her yours.

[oiii88]

Depends on the bios as for the beeps. Award bios is 1 long 2 short but the phoenix bio on my older machine is 1 long followed by 3 short both are video card errors.

[Anti-Basic]

http://www.phoenix.com/NR/rdonlyres/...rdpostcode.pdf

thats the bios brand you have according to your mobo manual. 1998 though....

EDIT:

Award BIOS Post Codes

Unfortunately there are many versions of the Award BIOS, and they are supported not by one company, but by the motherboard maker. Award's website states "Award Software software products are sold to a board or system manufacturer ("hardware vendor"), who customizes them further before selling the system. Award Software cannot supply upgrades for a BIOS that has been subsequently modified by hardware vendors."

For further help on Award BIOS problems contact:

Unicore Software (1-800-800-BIOS) handles all upgrades for Award Software BIOS products.
Their e-mail address is sales@unicore.com.

Unicore Software specializes in BIOS upgrades when the hardware vendor no longer supports your system. Additionally, upgrades from Unicore Software often support new technologies (such as larger hard drives, removable boot media, and new processors) that were unavailable when your system was designed.

The hardware vendor that designed your system is the best source for bug fixes and answers about your system.

Owned irl.

[J MaNN]

Tell your grandma i said hi.

[Seven]

computer hardware... that reminds me of that nerdy joke. "hey baby, you want to convert my floppy drive into a hard drive?"
@.@

[Vorspire]

When power failure occurs when the system is processing, it can disturb the CMOS settings, especially on older systems.

Also be reminded that, even if the power switch is turned off, the current can still be running through the system. The best practive is to un-plug the system entirely from any energy source.

Beeping upon start-up is a way for your MotherBoard to "cry" about invalid CMOS and/or BIOS settings. These beeps are usually associated with malfunctioning RAM hardware and can be easily distinguished from other problems by removing the RAM and replacing each stick one by one, from left to right.

The other thing that would make this product be so unreliable is the battery on the MotherBoard, which does actually need to be replaced at least once every 3 years for good measure. This battery provides the source of power to supply just enough energy for your CMOS settings to be saved while the machine is powered down.

So, to sum all of this up, in simplicity, replace the MotherBoard battery, un-plug the system from the out-let/socket to starve it of any power what-so-ever and try re-installing each RAM stick one-by-one.

If your problem persists, you can use the nearest large blunt object to repeatedly strike the machine untill it works.

If in doubt, give it a clout.

[Vorspire]

Originally Posted by Seven

computer hardware... that reminds me of that nerdy joke. "hey baby, you want to convert my floppy drive into a hard drive?"
@.@

"uhh honey, it says insert floppy DISK..."

[Alex21]

Originally Posted by Vorspire

"uhh honey, it says insert floppy DISK..."

thats what she said.

[Joeku]

I updated my second post.

So far, I've tested the HDD and RAM and they both work fine. That narrows the problem down to either the PSU, CPU, or motherboard.

I'm pretty sure the PSU is fine but that's next on my list to test...
Thanks for the replies so far.

[Anti-Basic]

tbh the real problem is the end user's grandson.

[Tumeski]

Try testing the PSU and CPU out aaand your good to buy a new motherboard. Im about 90% sure its the motherboard.

Good luck!

[RavonTUS]

Greetings,

This is a long shot, but remove the keyboard and try booting. With the continual beeping, I would guess a key is stuck. However, since you don't get a post/bios screen, my second guess would be the motherboard/video.

-Ravon

[Radwen]

Originally Posted by RavonTUS

Greetings,

This is a long shot, but remove the keyboard and try booting. With the continual beeping, I would guess a key is stuck. However, since you don't get a post/bios screen, my second guess would be the motherboard/video.

-Ravon

I thought about that too, although I was wondering why he'd get not signal on his screen.

[Asmir3]

Your gramma needs to stop watching porn! Take from an expert lol..

90% of the virus are from porn.

[Radwen]

But the internet is for porn.

[Joeku]

... They told me to RMA the motherboard to Newegg :P

If that doesn't work then I'm gonna claim my warranty on the CPU too.

[Anti-Basic]

stop touching computers Joeku.