# Beeping Computer **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 25, 2011, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724 "2011-10-25T10:28:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/1 "2011-10-25T10:28:58Z")
I have a Dell Inspiron running Windows 7 Home Edition. For the past two days, the thing has taken up beeping at me approximately once an hour. The beeps, as near as I can tell, consist of three groups of three beeps each, followed by a single beep. The sound and rhythm are vaguely reminiscent of the opening of the William Tell Overture. What’s up with this? ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/2 "2011-10-25T15:17:36Z")
To clarify, we are talking about beeps once the computer is already running, right? Rather than beeps at startup? ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/3 "2011-10-25T15:19:02Z")
Have you installed any new software recently? ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/4 "2011-10-25T15:21:06Z")
I get stuff like that once in a while too. I’m never sure, but I figure it might be some advertiser trying to get your attention. But why not pop up a visual message? I have no idea. But running Ad-Aware and Spybot usually gets rid of it. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/5 "2011-10-25T15:27:11Z")
Could be a beep code from your BIOS. If you are using a Phoenix BIOS, 3-3-3-1 would equal an “Erase F2 prompt” error. See [here](http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/sys/beep/phoenix/new.htm). However what the code means depends on what BIOS you use, so you might have to dig around a bit. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/6 "2011-10-25T16:09:35Z")
> [@awldune](#): > > To clarify, we are talking about beeps once the computer is already running, right? Rather than beeps at startup? Yes, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/7 "2011-10-25T16:10:58Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Have you installed any new software recently? No. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/8 "2011-10-25T16:14:24Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Could be a beep code from your BIOS. If you are using a Phoenix BIOS, 3-3-3-1 would equal an “Erase F2 prompt” error. See [here](http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/sys/beep/phoenix/new.htm). > > However what the code means depends on what BIOS you use, so you might have to dig around a bit. Thanks. I haven’t any idea of where to look to find what BIOS I have but the link you provided does seem likely. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/9 "2011-10-25T16:16:23Z")
Does your computer beep when you turn it on, and is the beep you hear while the computer is running the same basic beep? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/10 "2011-10-25T16:33:22Z")
When the computer boots up, you should get a splash screen that may or may not display the BIOS manufacturer on it. If it doesn’t, there is usually some option to show the boot details, or if nothing else at least some key or key combination to get you into the BIOS setup. Either on the boot screen, the details screen, or within the BIOS setup, you will find something that indicates who made the BIOS and what version it is. On most systems, the BIOS is really only used to get the computer up and running. It initializes a lot of hardware (like detecting USB devices and allocating resources for the PCI bus) and figures out how much RAM is installed in the system and that sort of thing, then finds an operating system to boot. Most operating systems (like Windows and Linux) use their own device drivers to access things and don’t rely on the BIOS once they start running, so after the OS boots, the BIOS doesn’t usually do much. The most likely thing to produce a beep code after the OS is running is a hardware monitor, such as an over-temperature detector. The BIOS on a typical computer these days can be set to give a warning at one temperature and do an emergency shut down at another temperature, which prevents damage to your system if the cooling fans and such fail to do their job (typically due to a fan wearing out or a heat sink being clogged with dust). The first thing I would look for therefore is a heat problem. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/11 "2011-10-25T16:38:47Z")
It also looks like Dell has the beep codes on their web site. What model Inspiron do you have? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/12 "2011-10-25T16:44:10Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > Thanks. I haven’t any idea of where to look to find what BIOS I have but the link you provided does seem likely. You can often get it off the start-up screen when you boot your computer. But easier that that on Windows 7 go to start\>all programs\>accessories\>system tools\>system information. It should be listed somewhere in that first column that opens up. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_N.Cheese)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/13 "2011-10-25T18:02:03Z")
Do you have a UPS? I realize the laptop doesn’t require one, but they are sometimes installed as part of a residential gateway that provides phone service. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/14 "2011-10-26T02:29:34Z")
After driving me crazy yesterday and the day before the cursed thing has suddenly stopped trying to get my attention. I figure it is plotting some dastardly deed to spring on me without notice. I will get back to this thread tomorrow; I’m tired and sleepy now. Old age is so much fun. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/15 "2011-10-26T04:04:44Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > After driving me crazy yesterday and the day before the cursed thing has suddenly stopped trying to get my attention. I figure it is plotting some dastardly deed to spring on me without notice. I will get back to this thread tomorrow; I’m tired and sleepy now. Old age is so much fun. Maybe that means the irreversible damage is already done done? 😛☹ Hey, at least you can tell where the beeps are coming from. We had a thread here last week from a distraught Doper whose _home_ was beeping, and it took about a week for her to even figure out where in the house it was coming from! ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/16 "2011-10-26T04:23:05Z")
[Quote=LouisB] I’m tired and sleepy now. Old age is so much fun. [/quote] > [@Senegoid](#): > > Maybe that means the irreversible damage is already done done? 😛 Old age is irreversible, true. But not always so damaging. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/17 "2011-10-26T19:35:26Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Old age is irreversible, true. But not always so damaging. The damage done to me is irreversible; about the computer, I don’t know. But it hasn’t beeped since I opened this thread. I’ll try to locate the BIOS information but it will take me a while. Thanks for all the replies. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/18 "2011-10-26T20:56:44Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > I’ll try to locate the BIOS information but it will take me a while. Run [Belarc Advisor](http://belarc.com/free_download.html). It’s a free program that will tell you lots of information about your computer, including identifying the BIOS. Plus tells you if you are up-to-date on Microsoft Security fixes, what & where all the installed programs are on your computer (and when they were last used), etc. Lots of useful info. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/19 "2011-10-26T22:20:32Z")
It’s your mobile phone. Your phone sends out a signal occasionally, even when you are not making calls, your computer speakers react to the signal and beep. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724/20 "2011-10-27T02:36:35Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > It’s your mobile phone. Your phone sends out a signal occasionally, even when you are not making calls, your computer speakers react to the signal and beep. Why did it start three days ago? Never heard these beeps until that time and cell phone lives on my desk less that a foot away from one speaker----I don’t understand, but I don’t understand a lot of things. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beeping-computer/600724.md?page=2)