Beeping sound from computer

The eraser is a wonderful tool to correct error or spelling written with a pencil on paper. Been doing that for homework essay, math and drawing too (especially on my house wall). I got a reward for it….. a good spanking!! I was given an eraser to clean up the mess i created until no marking was left on the wall. Little did I know, this tool will help me on the computer as well later on.

Well normally, when we power up the computer, we would wait for boot up, operating system loads and we would start doing our work, play games or surf the internet. Then there are times that we need to use the computer urgently or want to check our mail quickly and when the computer starts, it will give beep…..beep…..beep…..beep nothing shows on the screen. We shut down and power up again same result beep…..beep…..beep…..beep!!!

Open the computer casing and try to troubleshoot problem. Remember to shut down and unplug wall plug point. Beeping sound mostly comes from item not inserted properly onto slot of the main board… external graphics card, external sound card, external network card and ram (memory) card. These are inserted vertically.

Nowadays main board is quite complete with onboard sound/graphic/network chip built in (integrated) less moving parts. So the only movable parts will be the processor chip/fan unit and the ram (memory card) or the gamers will add additional PCI-E graphics card for better performance.

I would always check the ram first. Push the 2 clips by the side, do it gently as they are fragile and the ram will pop out. Look at the ram and remember how to put it back afterwards. If you look at the bottom you would see a row of small yellow plate and a gap in the center. One side is longer and the other shorter. Incorrectly slot in, and you will not be able to clip back in properly.

Now is the time to get the soft eraser. Use it to scrub the yellow plate on both side of the ram. It will be a clean and shiny (its gold, but you will not get rich with it, hmmm). Please don’t use sandpaper as it will scratch the surface and damage the circuit. Same goes with liquid base metal remover!!

Get a brush, any brush will do as long as it is not metal brush and not wet, to brush off excess from the eraser scrubbing on the ram and use the brush to clean the ram slot on the main board as well.

We would do this because sometime the contact point between the ram slot and the ram yellow plate does not contact properly from dust built up over long period.

Slot back the ram the way we took out, push in one corner first until the clip fit into the side corner and do the same for the other. If done correctly, we will hear a click sound. Close back the casing and power up the computer. It should start as normal.

Forgot to mention, if we have 2 or more ram and still hear the beeping sound then we have to test individually. Meaning, take them out to clean and put in one at a time.