Computer Problems

[Pip75]

I have been having a few problems with my computer. Sometimes when I restart the computer nothing will show up on the screen and it will make one long continuous beep. If I restart it again it will usually boot into windows.
I am guessing it is beeping because of some hardware problem but I have no Idea what is wrong.

Is it bad if my hard drive is making a clicking or grinding noise?

It takes about 50-60 seconds to get to the windows welcome screen

Here is my computer info

XP Pro
Thermaltake W0101RU ATX 12V 2.0 Version 550W Power Supply
AMD X2 4200+ Dual Core CPU
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
2 GB OCZ Ram
XFX Geforce 7600 GT 256 MB
Sound Blaster Audigy 4
Plextor DVDR PX-716A
Maxtor 6L300SO 300GB SATA
Western Digital WD3200KS-00PFB0 320GB SATA 3.0
Seagate 320 GB Sata HDD
Viewsonic VX922 19" LCD Monitor
Bose 2.1 Speakers
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Case

 

[jackschmittusa]

Usually bad news when a hd clicks and grinds.

Try re-seating your ram and add in cards.

 

[ChristianV]

This "beep" is an error code and explained in your motherboard's manual. The description in there might help you to figure out what your problem is.
A common reason is a defective ram.

 

[ojai00]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Usually bad news when a hd clicks and grinds.

Try re-seating your ram and add in cards.

I would make a backup of the important data on the hard drive as soon as possible. Once it starts clicking and grinding, there's no telling when it will fail.