Strange boot up problem --- but only sometimes?

[apea2rh]

HI

I've had a quick scan through old threds but I can find anything regarding this problem.

I have now come accross this problem with about 4 different PC's (with different hardware) and this is what happons:

When the Pc is turned on you sometimes get 1 long beep and 3 quick beeps...and there is no video output. but after restarting the machine a few times it boots fine.

Now I could understand if there was a problem and it didn't work all the time but it's a really intermitent problem.

Anyone know what it could be? I thought it could be something to do with memory timmings but after tweeking the bios this didn't seem to cure the problem.

Thanks

Ashley

[nexis9]

Beeps in such a manner represents vga card fault. 1 long and 3 or 4 short beeps. In such a situation, what I would normally do is remove the card and replug it in.It could be a case whereby the card is not slotted in properly.

Good luck and hope this helps.

[apea2rh]

No It's not that, well it could be in the machine I'm trying to sort out at the moment nut in others I've seen you get the same problem. The only common part between them is the video card which are all GF2-MX's the one I have here I think is faulty (MX400) but the others I've seen r the older MX2's.

If it was as simple as a bad contact I would be jumping up and down, but sadly it's not http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

Any other ideas? I just thought someone must have come across this as I have a few times now.

Ash

[ski]

The video card is bad.
The system may be able to boot up after a few restarts, but eventually it will not start at all.
If you can get into Safe mode during startup, then it's the video card.
Did you try swapping out the existing video card with an inexpensive one?

[apea2rh]

Yes I have tried changing the Video card and it does exactly the same, It will boot windows (not in safe mode) when it works it works just fine but its just dosn't like to turn on properly sometimes.

Ash

[ski]

Pull the RAM and the video card.
Blow out their slots with compressed air, and start the computer.
If you hear the same beep pattern, then install a stick of RAM.
Same beeps? Remove the RAM and install another stick. Continue changing the RAM. If the beeps go away, then a RAM stick is bad.
If the beeps stay the same no matter which RAM stick is installed, then install the video card.