My computer is making a “beep” every so often. Sometimes it can go 30 minutes or more, but usually it’s every five minutes or so. Sometimes it will beep twice in 20 seconds.
I’m running XP. This all started a few weeks ago. Norton let me know it had detected a virus…I’m sorry, I can’t remember which one. It said I had to boot in safe mode to get rid of it. I followed their directions, and I got rid of it, I guess.
At the same time, I installed the new Microsoft anti spyware. It found and cleaned out tons of adware that Adaware had missed.
I don’t think the anti spyware program is causing the beep. When I disable it, the computer still beeps.
I’ve searched extensively on the net for this problem. Most searches turn up explanations of BIOS beeps at startup. A few people have had my problem…including one person whose beeps were errors being logged in the Event Viewer. Mine aren’t.
I really have no idea what to do. I’m good with computers…but this type of thing is so beyond my knowledge that I just have no idea what to do.
Hi brian_ax
Do you know the type of bios you have? Here are some beep codes to get you started, but until we know which it is…it’s kind of hard to narrow down.
You could start by checking your ram. How computer savvy are you?
Oh dear. I think I misread your post. Sorry about that.
These beeps are happening while you are booted into windows? Not on start up?
If so… we should take a look in your event viewer for some clues.
(click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Event Viewer)
Check the system and application viewers to see if you have been getting any repeated errors.
How well ventilated is the case? Do you have any sort of monitoring software, or perhaps a hardware alert sound enabled (in the BIOS), which will beep when you are overheating? That’s my guess…case is too hot, and the internal BIOS temp monitor is alerting you to that fact. Worth checking out, anyway.
Excellent idea.
Feel the casebrian_ax . Is it warm? Try taking the side panel off and running your computer with it off. (Or even pointing a fan at the inside) Does it make a difference?
Must admit I read this as “CPU Bleeding” which seemed intriguing. Sounds very much like overheating. Not an expert but something similar happened to me. There is usually a setting in the BIOS for a warning beep at a specified temperature.
I downloaded a temperature monitoring tool called PC Alert 4 (although this may just be for MSI mobos, I’m not sure). Anyway, it shows temps and fan status and can kick the fans on high for extra cooling. Recommend getting something similar and googling for your mobos expected readings. Good place to start.
Temperature would be my guess. How is the environment where the PC is? Excessive heat, dust or a failed fan can lead to overheating, which is usually signalled with a beep.
There are utilities to read the CPU temp (assuming the manufacturer hasn’t shaved pennies and gotten rid of it achooDELL!)
The BIOS will show CPU temperature - try checking it after running the PC for a while. Some canned air couldn’t really hurt in any case.
Yes, I’m pretty sure the temperature is the problem. I went into BIOS, and the temperature read 125F. I also downloaded a free temp monitoring program; same temperature.
A week ago I suspected this was the problem (w/o taking its temperature). I opened it up and cleaned off all the fans and the inside with an air can. It’s all clean inside now…
What I haven’t done is opened the case to blow a fan directly in there. I used to have a little fan, but it’s at work. All I have now is a big fan.
Someone also suggested I make sure the heat sink is properly installed.
I’m not exactly sure what to do next, but I’ll keep investigating. Thank you all VERY much for your help…you were all correct.
