This one has me stumped! computer beeping no monitor?
By free_man
@free_man (7330)
United States
July 13, 2012 9:57am CST
I am pretty good at fixing computers and don't usually have a lot of problems with computers but this one has me stumped! I turn on the computer everything is hooked up but the monitor won't come on. I changed the monitor and the video card is a new one but still no monitor. Does anyone know what is going on? The computer starts to beep every time I turn it on. The monitor says it is working properly to check the cables I id that and still nothing. It is all hooked up and worked with my other computers but this one it just won't even come on other then the error message. Don't know what to do am at a loss and confussed. Don't have anyone to take it too so I need to fix it if you can help thanks in advance.
2 people like this
6 responses
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
13 Jul 12
I had a similar problem a couple of months ago. I did not know that the beeping we hear when a computer won't start up is actually a "beep code" (or BIOS beep code) that is an indicator of what the problem actually is. In my case, I have a Dell desktop computer. I tried to start it up and nothing would happen -- the monitor would not come on and the tower would just sit there beeping. I did some research on my lap top and found out, by correctly counting the beep code, that I had a video card failure. I had to replace it (and also replaced the power supply for it) and it works beautifully again. Try googling "beep codes" for your specific type of computer (because each BIOS manufacturer has its own beep codes) and, hopefully, that will tell you what needs to be fixed. Best of luck! 
2 people like this
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
14 Jul 12
Thanks for sharing, thinkingoutloud! I also used to have this problem couple of years back. My brother, who is a software engineer, told me over the phone that the problem could possible be the videocard (it's either loose or not compatible). But when I read your post about beep codes, that would have been helpful back then. Thanks anyway. Maybe I could make use of this info in the future, who knows.
2 people like this
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
14 Jul 12
hi everyone,
one long, two short = video card failure on one computer
one short (blank screen) = video card failure on another
this site is handy for beep codes
http://www.5starsupport.com/info/beep_codes.htm
..makes me think of automobile beep codes. One long means get out of the way but two short means going my way? 
2 people like this
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
13 Jul 12
You are confusing me. Beeping is one thing, error message is another. An error message like “not detecting monitor” is rather funny isn’t it? Beeping on the other hand can indicate a hardware issue (video card, systems board, power supply , connector problem)
Not sure what to suggest but beeping sounds like internal. Did you try going to bias f10? Go inside box, if there is onboard video try it, pull new video card. After that a person might try another video card. Need more info if you have any. Someone else have any ideas?
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@free_man (7330)
• United States
17 Jul 12
Thanks sorry to confuse you but didn't know how to word it excatlly. It beeps but the monitor won't come on at all it just shows on the monitor that the monitor is working fine to check the connections. This computer was built by someone else so it isn't really a name brand. Can't get into f10 at all. Changed the video card with three different cards so it isn't the video card. The lady I got it from said she had problems with it all the time. Thanks for your help.
@sharksfin (1091)
• Philippines
14 Jul 12
Hi, free_man. ^_^ Can't think of anything but graphic card failure.
Is't an external graphic card you have? If it is, it could be busted. Switch to integrated if you have one.
If it's an integrated one, it could be that you need to replace your mother board. Had the same problem before. Integrated gc is irrepairable.
Lemme know if this helps.
2 people like this
@free_man (7330)
• United States
17 Jul 12
I am hoping that it isn't the mother board but if it is will fix it sooner or later. I don't mind working on computers it is a pain in my bottom but I can do it. Thanks for your help. It isn't the graphic card changed it with three new ones and still the monitor keeps saying that it is working fine and to check the cables. Oh well I will get it fixed sooner or later. Thanks for your help.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
13 Jul 12
There are a lot of things that could be wrong with your computer aside from the monitor and video card, but since you mentioned you have made sure these two are new and okay then my bet would be that the problem is with your RAM. Try resitting your RAM or used a clean rubber eraser over the parts that make contact with your motherboard. See if this works and update us so I could suggest something else if it doesn't Good luck!
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
16 Jul 12
freeman open monitor up check transistors., mine b urned out had a cross on each onne and was op;en liked it tried to explode.mibne was so costly to repair we bo ught a used monitor led. works fine..
also check new video card even new they can burn out.
1 person likes this
@anubrataroy (444)
• India
18 Aug 12
This happens in two situations and they are as follows:
1) RAM is not working. You can physically remove the RAM from RAM slot and clean it using an eraser and put them back in the RAM slot. If it still doesn't work then you will have to buy new RAM.
2) The CMOS cell has exhausted. CMOS battery or cell is a flat button like round battery that is present on the motherboard. You have to buy a new battery and replace the old one with the new one. In such a situation the Computers clocks stop working hence the computer keeps on beeping and the monitor doesn't switch on.
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