Computer Help Please!!!

**tbs727** · 07-07-2005, 08:33 AM

I got a computer from my MIL, however it has problems. In fact, we can't even get it to boot up. I have replaced the power supply and that isn't the problem.

The computer turns on, the fan starts, and it beeps, right after it beeps it immediately shuts back down. Any suggestions? Could it be the hard drive? Since the computer is free and the tower is expandable and fairly new, I don't mind replacing some items. I just need to know what to replace.

Thanks!!!

**Darlene** · 07-07-2005, 09:45 AM

My dd who knows a little bit about puters thinks it's either a virus or your harddrive isn't good. Try to boot from your antivirus software disc.

Press the disk drive button as soon as you hit the power button. Put the disk in and then wait for it to shut down again. Press power, and then it'll boot from the CD (might have to hit a key...follow the directions on the screen). This will scan for viruses on the hard drive without actually booting to it. Hope that helps

**Gabe** · 07-07-2005, 08:33 PM

What kind of beeps is it?
Depending on the number of beeps it might be a peripheral failure.
(Like Darlene indicated above it might be a hard drive failure or keyboard etc)
You could maybe identify the problem by looking at the [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS]BIOS[/ame].

Or it might be a overheating problem. I would suggest trying the following to rule it out.

1. Take the casing off the computer.
2. Put a big fan blowing directly on the tower.
3. Boot up the computer and see if it goes further than previously.

In any case, you should look at the BIOS of the computer when you boot up to see if any hardware is reporting errors.

Out of curiosity what type of computer is it?
How old is it? Specs?

If you provide more detailed information about the computer we might be able to help you diagnose the problem.

**tbs727** · 07-07-2005, 10:05 PM

What kind of beeps is it? I get one short beep right after the fan starts, then after the beep it goes back off. I can't get it to boot up at all. It starts up for about 10 seconds and then goes immediately back off.

I will try the fan thing in the morning, it never hurts to try.
Or it might be a overheating problem. I would suggest trying the following to rule it out.

It is a 3 year old HP Pavillion 512 n.

I'm not sure what specs you are looking for. But please let me know if there is other information you need.

It does have a DVD, CD RW drive and a floppy, if that makes any difference.

I appreciate any help I can get. I do not have a rescue disk for this PC, all I have is an old rescue disk from my old gateway, I doubt I can use that to boot it up.

Thanks!!!

**Gabe** · 07-07-2005, 10:40 PM

It does look like a heating problems if the fan comes on but does not cool it down.
The computer will shut itself down because it might be overheating.
Let me know if the fan trick works.

**Gabe** · 07-08-2005, 05:50 PM

Did it work?

**tbs727** · 07-08-2005, 08:32 PM

I'm sorry, I haven't tried it yet, I have to get the power supply hooked back up. I will try to get to it tomorrow and l'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again!

**Gabe** · 07-09-2005, 02:56 AM

If your computer makes several beeps it might be that your power supply is incorrectly connected.

In any case...let me know how it goes. The easiest for you economically would probably be to bring it in a shop depending on how much value you put on your time.

**tbs727** · 07-11-2005, 12:01 PM

I did try the fan thing. It didn't work, but thank you for the suggestion. What do you think about the possibility of the hard drive being the problem?

**Gabe** · 07-13-2005, 06:10 PM

Bring in a local shop they will diagnose your problem usually for 25$ they might even knock the cost off if you get it repaired there.

**voodidit** · 07-13-2005, 11:00 PM

Mine did that for a while and I would up having to re-install windows several times before it started working again, it seemed like it was in a perpetual loop.