Black Screen, NO POST Test, Long Beeps after installation of utility in my Win_XP PRO

[Franklogus]

Hi all !
Just after installing one utility in my back up PC, which has the OS Win XP PRO SP1 (Award BIOS), I got some odd problems...
1) I hear many and repeated LONG BEEPS;
2) The system no more does the POST Test; so, I can not more to try to access BIOS or even an Boot Disk, because it no more "search for others drivers". It only turn on the red light of the cabinet/case, that means that it is using the HDD (and keeps beeping...).

I have some doubts about these symptoms: I read that long beeps can mean memory problems, but I am sure that it is not related to hardware, because I never had this kind of problem before to install this @#$&! software...

I did many attempts, but no success; for my surprise, after one "rest" of 2 hours (without turn on my computer), my PC worked and booted (it asked for the last valid configuration); so, after the (apparently) normal loading, I decided to utilize the "restore point" that I had created before to install this @#$&! software, in order to try to rid of this trouble. Everything was working well, Windows said that the restore was successfull, but, suddenly, the screen freezed again. After this, only long beeps and black screen...

Well, I need some advice about what I should to do in this event...

My big doubt remain: How can my PC give an alert of hardware problem, if it happenned just after the installation of this utility? One software issue can cause a hardware problem? I can not understand...

My PC basic spec is:
- Processor: P4 2.8 533 MHz
- MoBo: Asus P4SDX
- RAM: 1.024 MB DDR 333 (Kingston Value Ram) - 04 sticks of 256 MB each one.
- Gigabyte Radeon 9600 XT
- 02 HDDs: 01 Maxtor 120 GB, 7200 rpm, ATA-133 + 01 Seagate 40 GB, 7200 rpm, ATA-100
- OS: Win XP PRO SP1

Any help / information would be very appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

 

[n0cmonkey]

Sounds like a hardware issue. Check the motherboard manual for information on what your particular beeps mean.

 

[mechBgon]

after one "rest" of 2 hours (without turn on my computer), my PC worked

That does sound like a hardware problem, possibly a power-supply problem. What brand/model is your power supply, exactly?

*braces for resistance*

 

[Franklogus]

Thanks for your replies, n0cmonkey & mechBgon !
Well, unfortunately, there is no any information about beeps on my Mobo's Manual - It has Award BIOS (Phoenix Technology), but I dont know if it had some of its original characteristics changed by the Motherboard manufacturer (really bad, Asus...).
My PSU is a 500W device (not first line - built in China); I can't remember its brand, and I have replaced it in the last month (the anterior PSU burned).
The led that there is in the Mobo becomes green when I turn on my PC, what means that there is energy in the MOBo (but I dont know if it is the correct voltage, for instance...).
I dont like to touch in the hardware inside the case because I am not an expert on this matter (I am afraid to damage anything until more...). Perhaps, I will need to take my PC to some technician...
Well, that's it... Any additional information will be great!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Home Built]

Someone please correct me if this isn't a possible solution. Is it possible that what he was installing might have altered some settings. Would clearing his CMOS help? I had some similar long beeps when I was fiddling with my Bios settings. Clearing the CMOS and starting over was how I recovered.

 

[bazcor]

The beep codes are at http://bioscentral.com/beepcodes/awardbeep.htm but the nearest I can see to what you describe is 'Memory error Check for improperly seated or missing memory.'

Try taking out the RAM stick(s) if you have two try just one then the other to see if it boots.

I think software that can kill hardware is mostly mythical, there is the possibility of rogue software being able to write rubbish into the BIOS, but your computer definitely would not boot up again if this happened to it!

 

[Malak]

Software can kill hardware, seen it done. Just uninstall the software and never use it again.

 

[Franklogus]

Thanks a lot for you replies, Home Built, bazcor & malak !
I think that I will have to send my PC to the technician who made its recent up-grade (I only handle with software, not hardware...).
Anyways, at least, I have some idea about what could be the fount(s) of the issue, what is very important when we send one PC to fix...
Txs again for your attention with me, buddies!

Merry Christmas for all !