Red Light, Three Short beeps

ophelia

ophelia

New Member
Hello everyone! I need help! :(

I have recently inherited a desktop computer with the notion of upgrading it. I had prior to this incident installed Windows 7 successfully on it.

The problem:

The computer turns on, but does NOT do much more than that. The screen stays black. Mouse and keyboard light up, which means it is getting power.

On the motherboard there is a red light that is on during this process and three short beeps that follow up when turning the computer on.

I have recently placed a new graphics card in my computer, but it did this as well with the old one. I have also tried 4 different types of RAM which are compatible with the computer as well as without RAM. Same thing happens.

The screen stays black, the operating system does NOT boot and the computer is simply "powered on" (the fan runs, graphic card fan runs, cooling system runs etc.)

What is wrong? I read (in a similar post, but not quite the same post describing my problem) that this indicates something wrong with the motherboard? I have an Intel motherboard (apparently there were some issues with this in general?)

If anyone can help, that would be so great! I have uploaded photos of this red light. It does NOT flash by the way. It stays red and the beeps do NOT repeat, they are only heard when you first boot the computer up. :confused:

I have narrowed it down to a hardware issue, the problem is... I don't know which hardware. :(

Please help!

Thank you so much in advance!!!!
 

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What exact computer or motherboard do you have? 3 beeps could be either memory problem or motherboard failure.
 
It's a TERRA computer, the motherboard is an intel desktop board e210882. The beeping also does not repeat. Intel (http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-010249.htm) say these 3 beeps generally repeat with a 2.5 second pause at the end of each cycle. This isn't the case for me... also my light doesn't blink. :(

I have a feeling it's the motherboard as the memory worked prior to this. I also reset the BIOS manually, but that didn't solve the problem. There is also nothing wrong with the internal battery. I'm betting on the motherboard.

What do you think? Should I buy new RAM (I need it anyway) before buying/installing a new motherboard? I simply think it's strange that 4 sets of different RAMs failed to change anything. Hm.

Thank you in advance! :)
 
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What blinking light are you talking about? If you are talking about motherboard light, it won't blink at all. Without ram, you should get a constant beep saying no memory installed. How did you reset the bios? Remove the battery or did you use the jumpers? If you did the battery, you have to remove power cord from power supply, remove battery, press and hold power button on case for 10 seconds, then wait a few minutes. Then reinsert battery, reconnect power and try booting up.
 
The red light, on some forums people complained about it blinking etc. but I don't think it really makes a difference, or?

I reset the BIOS both ways. First using the jumpers, then the battery... nothing.

Even when I take out all the RAM, I get the same beeps (3 long beeps). I dosen't repeat or constantly complain like it should. Everything else works fine... Hm.

My new RAM should arrive tomorrow. I will see how that turns out, but I'm not very optimistic.
 
Yes I tried all combinations of RAM.

What would be wrong with the power supply? It seems to work fine... Maybe a cable is disconnected??
 
FUNNY STORY:

It works now with the new RAM.

Haha... -_-


Thanks for all your input and help though!!!!! :)
 
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