Computer wont start. Need help ASAP

[Cornholio777]

Hi. I'm having big issues with my computer. The current problem at this moment is that t won't start the BIOS. I turn it on, it gives 2 short beeps, then it just runs without any system starting.

I want to explain shortly all the problems I've had until this moment.

First problem I noticed was that I wasn't able to play any video. Didn't matter what media or flash player it was. I tried reinstalling codecs and media players and audio drivers, it was the same. I could never open "playback devices" as well.
My temporary solution was, I would plug out my G35 headset before I turned on the Computer, and then plug it in after it was logged in. That way it worked.

Then when I started playing BF3 again after uninstalling a few months earlier, I got a blue screen error in the middle of it. I ignored it and played again and the blue screen appeared again.
After that every time it would load windows during start up, it crashed with a blue screen. It was impossible to get passed the blue screen.

I then tried to reformat the pc. First time it was stuck at expanding files at 6% for a very long time. I restarted and tried again. It crashed with a blue screen at 6%.
I tried again and it have me an error saying it is probably the DVD. And yes, the DVD had lots of scratches on it.

Thinking it might still be a hardware problem, I opened it and removed everything. Then I plugged everything back in with the cables nicely on the backside of the case. It started giving me 1 single beep at power start. So I thought it was probably the RAM, I replaced them many times in different positions and now I only get 2 beeps, no matter what I do.

I hope one of the parts have NOT failed and needs to be replaced. It could very well be. I hope I don't need to replace any parts since I do not have any money to do that.

What is the issue here? Any ideas? I need help fast.


My motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
CPU: AMD quad core 3.5 ghz phenom II (I think)
Graphics: AMD Radeon hd 6950
500 watt
1tb western digital wd10earx

I bought and built this myself about 2012-11 at latest.

 

[Fardringle]

2 short beeps is the code for a CMOS error. Try resetting the BIOS with the CMOS_SW button or the CMOS reset jumper on the motherboard. If that doesn't work, then you may have a bad BIOS flash or failed CMOS chip.

1 short beep means a successful system boot with no errors.

 

[denis280]

2 short beeps is the code for a CMOS error. Try resetting the BIOS with the CMOS_SW button or the CMOS reset jumper on the motherboard. If that doesn't work, then you may have a bad BIOS flash or failed CMOS chip.

1 short beep means a successful system boot with no errors.

Bad Hdd cauld be the cause to.

 

[Bubbaleone]

The BIOS beep codes for your mobo:

(For reference only)

1 short: System boots successfully
2 short: CMOS setting error
1 long, 1 short: Memory or motherboard error
1 long, 2 short: Monitor or graphics card error
1 long, 3 short: Keyboard error
1 long, 9 short: BIOS ROM error
Continuous long beeps: Graphics card not inserted properly
Continuous short beeps: Power error

As Fardringle correctly suggested; clear the CMOS by either jumpering the CLR_CMOS pins on the mobo for 60 seconds, or just remove the battery for 60 seconds. Be sure to disconnect the PSU power cord from the wall outlet, then hold down the power button for 20 seconds, before clearing CMOS.

 

[Cornholio777]

I seem to not be able to find the CLR_CMOS pins that you're talking about.
I found a small circle lithium battery which is probably battery you talked about.
I unplugged the power. I hold the power button for 20 seconds, then I removed the battery and waited 60 sec. Then I plugged back the battery and then I plugged back the power and turned it on. Same 2 beeps.

Did I do it correctly?

 

[Bubbaleone]

Yep, that was right. See Fardringle's reply about corrupt BIOS or failed chip.

 

[Ketchup]

I seem to not be able to find the CLR_CMOS pins that you're talking about.

FYI, on that board it should be right above the front panel connectors (bottom right-hand corner).

 

[Cornholio777]

So what do I do about corrupt BIOS or a Failed Chip??

 

[Cornholio777]

Oh. I think I found it. I found 2 pins right next to the bottom connectors for the reset, power button, LEDs and so on.
It has nothing on them. Shouldn't there be like a small black female "pin" on the one of the pins? So I can jump between resetting CMOS? Cuz there is nothing on the pins.

 

[Net Prowler]

On my previous motherboard, there were pins like that, there was nothing on them. You can use something like a small flat head screwdriver or any flat metal piece to touch the two pins together. I would check your motherborad manual first to make sure those are the correct pins. When having the metal in contact with the pins, you want to keep them in contact for 5 seconds I believe is the official time. Im ocd about my computer so i do 15 to 30 seconds. I usually unplug from power outlet when doing this also, cant remember if that is required or me being ocd again.

 

[Cornholio777]

I tried as you said Net Prowler. I unplugged the computer and pressed the power button a few times to remove the restoring electricity inside the machine.
I took a screw driver and put inbetween the 2 pins for 30 seconds.
But to no avail. It's still beeping twice.

 

[Bubbaleone]

I tried as you said Net Prowler. I unplugged the computer and pressed the power button a few times to remove the restoring electricity inside the machine.
I took a screw driver and put inbetween the 2 pins for 30 seconds.
But to no avail. It's still beeping twice.

Unless you've got mad electronics skills, or want to take a chance on a local PC repair shop, I don't think you'll be able fix this on your own. Gigabyte's 3 year limited parts and labor warranty definitely applies to your GA-990FXA-UD3. If the CMOS chip is bad (as it certainly appears to be), I'd suggest you contact Gigabyte Warranty Service and setup an RMA with them.

.

 

[Net Prowler]

I tried as you said Net Prowler. I unplugged the computer and pressed the power button a few times to remove the restoring electricity inside the machine.
I took a screw driver and put inbetween the 2 pins for 30 seconds.
But to no avail. It's still beeping twice.

Thats not good... well i guess i would follow the advice below and rma with gigabyte.

Unless you've got mad electronics skills, or want to take a chance on a local PC repair shop, I don't think you'll be able fix this on your own. Gigabyte's 3 year limited parts and labor warranty definitely applies to your GA-990FXA-UD3. If the CMOS chip is bad (as it certainly appears to be), I'd suggest you contact Gigabyte Warranty Service and setup an RMA with them.

.

 

[Cornholio777]

So my last option is to RMA with Gigabyte?
Our conclusion is now that something has failed on the motherboard?

Nothing else?

 

[sm625]

Thinking it might still be a hardware problem, I opened it and removed everything. Then I plugged everything back in

Dont plug everything back in. Plug in only what you absolutely need in order to install windows. That means no card readers. No speakers. No network. No usb devices save for a mouse/keyboard. No internal usb or audio ports. Max of one hard drive.

 

[Cornholio777]

If the 2 short beeps now really means this is a CMOS error, could someone tell me what all the plausible causes for the CMOS Error?

Like, what are the most common causes and more uncommon causes for the motherboard to emit a 2 s-beep CMOS error?

 

[Ketchup]

If the 2 short beeps now really means this is a CMOS error, could someone tell me what all the plausible causes for the CMOS Error?

Like, what are the most common causes and more uncommon causes for the motherboard to emit a 2 s-beep CMOS error?

Bad ROM chip I suppose would be the most likely.

 

[Bubbaleone]

If the 2 short beeps now really means this is a CMOS error, could someone tell me what all the plausible causes for the CMOS Error?

Like, what are the most common causes and more uncommon causes for the motherboard to emit a 2 s-beep CMOS error?

This is straight out of your GA-990FXA-UD3 user manual:

If you have replaced the CMOS battery, uninstalled, carefully inspected, and reinstalled the CPU, have actually tested each stick of RAM individually with nothing else connected to the motherboard except the keyboard, mouse, and with the graphics card connected to the monitor, and you are still hearing the 2-beep error code when you start the computer, it means the CMOS chip is bad. I don't know how or why it failed, but I do know that semiconductor devices can fail suddenly.

Because the CMOS chip has failed your computer will never POST, let alone boot. This is why: CMOS is short for Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. CMOS is an on-board semiconductor chip, powered by the CMOS battery located on the motherboard, that stores information such as the system time and date and all the system hardware settings for your computer.

The BIOS program on the BIOS chip reads information from the CMOS chip when the computer is started, during the boot up process. On the initial start up screen, called the POST screen, an option is available to enter the BIOS setup. When you enter this setup area, you are actually entering the CMOS setup, not the BIOS setup. In fact, when you look at the top of the GA-990FXA-UD3 BIOS screen it actually says; "CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright 1984-2011 Award Software".

I've previously suggested that you RMA the board, but that's your decision.