What does it mean when your computer beeps?

[jds2006]

Occasionally my computer will make a beeping noise. Is that bad? What does it mean?

 

[drwngflies]

If it's a POST/BIOS launch, means "all good" hardware detected that is critical for boot. (one beep)
Now, if you are receiving beeps further along into Windows, then there is an issue that needs addressed.
First, consult your Mobo manual, if you have it, or visit your Mobo's manuf. site to obtain a (usually PDF) copy, to see the different beep combos and what they mean.
I am only guessing here, might be a temp or fan failure warning beep you are hearing.
Are your temps fine? (CPU, ambient, Gfx card)
Are all fans spinning while the PC is turned on? Are all fans clean of dust or debris?
Check these areas first, if it persists, and these aren't found to be "wanting" then post more info on brand/model of system, CPU, Mobo, RAM etc

 

[jds2006]

What's a mobo and how do I find out what kind of things my computer has?

 

[drifter106]

mobo=motherboard


drifter hands pinky a "thick skin" pill

 

[FDF12389]

It sounds like you would be better off having a a support person look at your computer and fix it for you.

 

[Viditor]

Different beeps mean different things on different motherboards (isn't that different?). You will need the manual that came with the computer and be somewhat familiar about how things work in order to diagnose what the problem is...in other words, FDF is correct in that you should probably have a trained/knowledgable person take a look at it for you.

BTW, if you hear the computer say "Good Morning Mr Phelps" right after the beeps, run away quickly...

 

[RichUK]

Guys lets try to diagnose and resolve his problem here on AT, no need for a two bit engineer

So when does this beeping start, within Windows, during system boot (POST)? we need specifics!

When idle, when running a specific program?

Do the beeps have any pattern, or is it just a random beep here and there?

System specs?

Anything major changed recently, new hardware, new software installed?

Is everything stock?

Do you know what you are doing when it comes to diagnosis and resolving problems, or are you a newb? (No offence intended by the way, as everybody has different skill sets)

I now delegate the rest of AT to resolve your problem

 

[jds2006]

The beeps are random. I usually get them while I play UT2K4, but sometimes I get them while I just surf the internet.

What are system specs?

No new software installed.

I'm a computer newb.

 

[Icepick]

So the beeps are happening while Windows is running after the computer has successfully booted. That's a start anyway.

It doesn't sound like you're the type to build your own PC from scratch so I'll assume it's been pre-built. What brand is it? Dell, Gateway, Hewlett Packard (HP), e-machines? Please post the model of the PC as well. Sometimes the model numbers are right on the front of the PC. Other times you can get the model numbers from a sticker on the back of the PC. Do you have antivirus software running (Norton, McAffee)? Do you run ZoneAlarm or any other firewall software? What applications are running in the background while you're playing the games?

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: pinkeywear
The beeps are random. I usually get them while I play UT2K4, but sometimes I get them while I just surf the internet.

What are system specs?

No new software installed.

I'm a computer newb.

I assume you are using the keyboard for movement in that game? (First person shooter type game, right?) Sometimes, depending on how different keyboards and their accompanying controllers are wired, certain key combinations will produce a beep - too many keys in a certain group are pressed at once, and the computer freaks out. It expresses this freak-out with a short beep.

 

[harobikes333]

yup!!!

Just for example press down your hand on your keyboard and hold down all those keys. Your computer will beep beep beep until you let go

 

[alright]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: pinkeywear
The beeps are random. I usually get them while I play UT2K4, but sometimes I get them while I just surf the internet.

What are system specs?

No new software installed.

I'm a computer newb.

I assume you are using the keyboard for movement in that game? (First person shooter type game, right?) Sometimes, depending on how different keyboards and their accompanying controllers are wired, certain key combinations will produce a beep - too many keys in a certain group are pressed at once, and the computer freaks out. It expresses this freak-out with a short beep.

Nice catch