Boot Problem

[sambro72]

I hit the power button to turn on the pc and 1 of 3 things happens.
1. (happen almost everytime)The computer keeps a blank screen and the pc beeps repetedly.
2. (sometimes happens) the bios loads and blanks out and loads the bios loads and blanks out and it just cycles.
3. (takes usually takes 10 tries) before it works properly. It loads the bios, the hardware and boots up to Win98.

I'd love for #3 to happen everytime. Any idea what I can check?

[ReddDogg]

First thing I would do is remove the cmos battery and then reseat it. If that doesn't help would Replace that battery. It is a small battery looks like a watch batter on the motherboard. If that doesn't work it could be something wrong with your bios, you are getting stuck and receiving bios posts, which are beeps from bios telling you what it is stuck on. A good technicain can decipher those either from a card or from a really good ear (i've never met anyone with taht good of an ear, but I am sure they exist). It is possible you have a video card problem, or a motherboard problem, but in my experience the battery can cause this to happen, and it only costs a couple dollars to replace.

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Joe Redd
MCP

[dale]

As Redd indicated the beeps will give you an indication of what the problem might be. If you can listen carefully, try to determine a pattern of the beeps, like long, short, short or something like that. Then Charles, the cool guy that maintains this web site has a section that describes what the beeps mean, you will have to search around, or just post your results here and we can probably help you out. As Redd indicated, possibly a video card gone bad or even a memory chip.

regards,
dale

[DANQU]

Hi sambro72
This can be a problem with your power supply.
Go to this site for more information:
http://www.pcmech.com/article.htm?powersup

Hope this can help you
Dan

[ixl]

Hey, I have no problem with links off the site, especially if they cover stuff I don't or that I haven't updated recently, but in this case you have linked to a page that is a watered-down summary of what I write in my own power supply information. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif
For the real McCoy, see this page: http://www.PCGuide.com/ref/power
And for troubleshooting PSes: http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/power.htm
I agree that it could be a power issue due to the intermittency.

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Charles M. Kozierok ( ixlubb@PCGuide.com )
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...