single beep when computer running fine 2

[orypecos]

yesterday my PC Pentium 4 desktop started beeping occasionally. It is just one beep about every 5 minutes. I haven't added any new software or hardware. Everything is working fine. I am using Zonealarm, Spyblaster, Adware, and Spybot and am not using a UPS. I am thinking it is the little battery on the motherboard, but can't find anything on the net that confirms this.

 

[electronicsfreak]

What is the bios name of the computer?

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[orypecos]

Sorry, I don't know how to find that. I am a telephone programmer.

 

[electronicsfreak]

When you first turn on your computer, it will start loading in a "black area" . Press delete , you will then be brought into a blue area or it might be a different color. At the top of the screen it will say something like award, or some name. Write that down then just exit without saving or reset the computer and post it on here.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[orypecos]

'delete' does nothing while the system is coming up before the windows screen starts. There is a message at the top of the screen that says 'press F-1 for set up utility, or F-12 for startup utility'. Neither of those screens have a name on the top on any of the tabs. Or anything that sounds like a name of something. It does says it is a IBM board and eprom 20kt46aus if that is of any use.

 

[electronicsfreak]

Well I went through my saved webpages of bios beep codes, and found one that matches what you said however not sure if its the problem considering I dont know the name of your bios. Anyway it says continuous beeps while running which is what your getting. It says this is caused my cpu overheating. My advice to test this theory, unplug computer, get a can of compressed air and clean out your fan and heatsink and everything inside the case including power supply. Then wait about 10 minutes to make sure any liquid that came out of the sprayer is dry, plug it back in, then turn the computer on and see if it still does it.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[orypecos]

I hadn't installed anything for over a week, but unplugged a slide scanner, a card reader, and the sound system, and it quit beeping. I am thinking that it isn't over heating because I can hear what I think is the fan running at high level when it first comes on, and it always goes down to normal speed in a second. It has always done that. It could probably use a cleanout anyways, and I do need to install another video card cause the current one causes a double beep once a month or so.
thanks

 

[Freestone]

You have an IBM PC. The model and type (M/T) is usually on a sticker, along with its serial number, either on the front or on either side cover. You can also get the M/T by pressing F1 to get into setup. 20kt46aus is the current BIOS level, but without a M/T, further information can not be given.

 

[orypecos]

It started beeping again. But I changed the keyboard even though I had replaced it over 2 weeks before it started beeping, and that fixed it. I took the keyboard and plugged it into a 98 windows laptop, and the laptop detected the bad keyboard immediatly. So much for XP being better than Windows 98 all the time. Course maybe it is the hardware being better.
I am still going to change the video board and clean the case cuz it needs to be done. Thanks for the help from everyone.

 

[fenix]

just 2 pennies worth. A friend has a Gateway P4 and on start up his fan or fans whirl at full speed for a few seconds, probably a self check of some kind. You might have a similar mobo.