system beeping noise

[DKim81]

Hi everyone.. some help please...
I just installed a new fan on my SLOT 1 P3 Processor and added
a new PCI Usb 2.0 card along with it.. I unpluggged all the IDE
cables when I did it and plugged them back in afterwards..

When I turn my computer on, everything seems to work fine but
all of a sudden, every few hours or so, I'll get a loud beeping that
sounds like a car alarm out of my system speaker. The system
seems to run fine, but I don't know why it is beeping.

Is it a possible overheating problem? I did not put thermal grease on the
processor when I installed the new fan, but it doesn't seem to be the processor
anyways because it is working just fine. Thank you in advance.

DKim81

 

[GlassGhost]

Could be. Depends on what your BIOS does when there is a temp problem.

Download a utility to check your CPU temp like Sandra over @ http://www.3bsoftware.com/products/sandra.html

Its a great FREE utility BTW for all sorts of other info. When you hear the beep next time, check your CPU temp in Sandra and make sure its within the allowable limits.

If the beep turns out to be temp related I would slap on some thermal greese and re-seat the fan.

Good luck

 

[DKim81]

what icon do i click on to get the temperature, and what is a reasonable temperature for
a cpu? Thanks again

 

[GlassGhost]

Go into Mainboard Information then scroll down to Temperature Sensor(s).

http://developer.intel.com/design/pentiumiii/datashts/24445209.pdf

Thats the datasheet for the PIII in an SECC packaging (i.e slot 3.) It specifies at MAX temp of 70C, but IMO thats too high under normal usage. Anything over 55C is probably too hot (depending on your CPU's clock setting.)

 

[SuperPickle]

Sandra is typically fairly inaccurate for temp sensing. MBM5 may be a better choice.

Not using a thermal interface material (TIM) is not a good idea. Even that cheap white goop from Radio Smack is much better than nothing. If I were to hedge a bet, I'd guess it's an overheating problem and you are getting a warning beep. Next time it beeps and you restart, check out the temp in BIOS--that'll give you a reading without any software.

 

[GlassGhost]

Originally posted by: basilisk420
Sandra is typically fairly inaccurate for temp sensing. MBM5 may be a better choice.

Not using a thermal interface material (TIM) is not a good idea. Even that cheap white goop from Radio Smack is much better than nothing. If I were to hedge a bet, I'd guess it's an overheating problem and you are getting a warning beep. Next time it beeps and you restart, check out the temp in BIOS--that'll give you a reading without any software.

In any case, its most definately a temperautre problem. Buy some thermal compound (its fairly cheap) and place a *small* ammount on the heatsink/fan and reseat it.

 

[DKim81]

thanks a lot glassghost.. went to fry's today to pick up some thermal
compound.. cpu is now running at 40 C.. thanks!!

 

[GlassGhost]

Your welcome. Hold on to sandra, its a great program for general system info, has a wealth of information.