[MightyQueenCarolyn]

OK, I thought we were good to go ...

*growls* but during a thunder and lightening storm last night, son was told to shut down and unplug computer as we didn't have a spare power bar with surge protection. The computer was plugged directly into the wall outlet.
This morning, I discovered that son did not unplug and I don't know for sure if he even shut it down (I went to bed) because he's a big fat liar liar pants on fire.
Today, the computer beeps and a screen does not open, even after a while.
Just *beep* beep* *beep*etc. and nothing.

Can anyone help? If not, does anyone want a son? Free shipping.

Thank you, in advance.

[Howard]

Sounds to me like something has died.
can you tell us exactly the number of beeps you`re hearing?

It will probably be something like 2 long beeps followed by one short beep.

The reason I need to know the exact beeps, is because the beeps are an audible error code and will probably tell us what`s gone wrong.

Regards Howard

[Gunner]

Know your bios? If yes, see here for codes.
Hope nothing serious.

[MightyQueenCarolyn]

Gosh, Gunner, I hope it's not a baddun, but I'm braced for the worst.

Nice to meet you.

Howard, thank you, again for your assistance.
This is about as descriptive as I can get:

One *beep* lasting the time it takes to say out loud "one thousand" followed by a silent pause lasting the time it takes to say "two thousand, three thou-" then *beep* and it goes on and on ...

[Howard]

That sounds suspiciously like a dead graphics card to me.

If you have one available, try another graphics card.

Regards Howard

[Albert Lionheart]

Thunderstorms will often do more damage down phone lines, so if you have perhaps an internal 56k modem connected to the outside world this might have had a surge which killed it.
Time to take the lid off anyway. Have a sniff and if you smell burnt electrics you know who to blame.

[MightyQueenCarolyn]

Originally Posted by Howard

That sounds suspiciously like a dead graphics card to me.

If you have one available, try another graphics card.

Regards Howard

*sobbing a little bit*
Oh, pooh. I don't have a spare, but will try to mooch one off someone, as soon as I can. I'm flat broke so buying another right now is not an option.

Here's the thing: this box was just in "the shop" ... y'know a friend of a friend who's techy but doesn't 'splain anything because he's above all that and who owed my ex a "favour", thus replacing the hard drive and power supply about a week ago. It struggled to power up the first few times, then went smoothly for 2 days then (coincidentally) the storm hit and now it won't "go".
It still *beeps* as described in post above, so I've left it shut off.

Originally Posted by Albert Lionheart

Thunderstorms will often do more damage down phone lines, so if you have perhaps an internal 56k modem connected to the outside world this might have had a surge which killed it.
Time to take the lid off anyway. Have a sniff and if you smell burnt electrics you know who to blame.

The side has been off the box since we got it in the house (I know not why exactly) and I smell nothing resembling burnt parts or anything.

*sigh*

Thanks for your attention, gentlemen.

[Blackmirror]

Just try removing it ( graphics csrd)
see if the beeps are still there sis
It will still work

Might not be able to play new games but the pc should start up

[MightyQueenCarolyn]

Ummm ... "it" being the graphics card?

The computer of which we speak is too crappy to play the games D wants to play; it's just to get him online and using MSN messenger without bothering me and my computer every 10 minutes because as you well know teenagers cannot use the old fashioned telephone to make plans anymore. For another week, M has allowed him to use his fancy schmancy lappy for game playing.

I'll try as you suggest and report back later tonight or as soon as I can.

Thank you, tech gurl.

[Albert Lionheart]

Pluck up your courage and take it back to your friend and explain it has not worked properly since he had his hands on it (the machine that is) - he will be so ashamed it will get fixed, don't you worry!

[MightyQueenCarolyn]

Thank you, Albert but it's not a matter of courage in this regard. The friend of a friend lot are all on my ex's side and none of them, includng my ex own anything resembling a conscience.
My ex does these little "favours" for me, in lieu of child support.
Talk about shame.

Sista: I haven't had the courage to remove the graphics card just yet ... woke up with an upset tum-tum and battered nerves, so will have a go when I'm up to it.

Thanks muchly, both of you, for your interest and support.

[Blackmirror]

Its quite a simple procedure Sista

Give us a shout if you need pictures please

[Albert Lionheart]

First find your screwdriver.....

[Blackmirror]

[MightyQueenCarolyn]

Yes, save me some grief and post pictures, please, Sista..

ETA: dang, you're quick!

Albert: I have roughly 30 screwdrivers in my chick box. Eenie meenie minie mo.

[Blackmirror]

Dont forgot to unscrew the cable from it first.... the monitor one

[MightyQueenCarolyn]

I'm going to move the box to the livingroom where I'm at, shortly, Sista.
The comp owner is still snoring and the lighting is too dim in his room
(plus it schtinks of you-know-what).
My old eyes need a bright room and having it next to me, will be easiler to work on. My legs are already tired from trotting up and down the hall, back and forth with this bit of business.

Thanks so much for your help.

I'll be back laterz. Disturbabnce downstairs/cops on their way. I hate my life.

[MightyQueenCarolyn]

Originally Posted by Blackmirror

Just try removing it ( graphics csrd)
see if the beeps are still there sis
It will still work

OK. I removed the graphics card. It was a bit of a struggle (stuck) until I Googled a bit and realized there was a pin clip thingy I had to release at the back as well the screw on the left.
No go. It still *beeps* like before.

Might not be able to play new games but the pc should start up

Even if it started up, how do you see the games or anything displayed? With the graphics card out there's nowhere to plug in the monitor.

[Howard]

The system will beep if you take out the graphics card, as it thinks the graphic card has failed, which in your case it probably has.

You really need to try a different graphics card, I`m afraid.

Or, take it into a pc repair shop.

Regards Howard

[Blackmirror]

Have you not another port that the cable from the monitor fits on
I have
Can you take a pic of the back of your pc Sis
I had to use my onboard graphics when my ATI card went bad

If its still beepping the same code then it might be something else