Re: P3b-f won't boot,strange beep code help...please?

RobV wrote:
jcazz wrote:
Greetings All,
My desktop died!
I have a p3b-f and a while back started rebooting occasionally in
WinXP. At first I thought it was just Winblows. Then I started
getting an error message on Bios post, warm and cold boot..."Hardware
monitor found an error. Check power settings." I checked the settings
and all seemed fine. A few weeks ago when I would shut down the
system, XP would seem to shut down normally but then the PC would
reboot, like I clicked on the RESTART button in Win. (I do not have
Bios set to reboot on power failure)Sometimes on the reboot the Bois
reported a 300mhz CPU instead of the 600 PIII and memory would be
reported as 650MB instead of 1gig.
That went on for a while until last a few days ago. The pc starting
crashing in win and would suddenly reboot. When I tried to restart I
got the beep for no video. After I hit the reset button I got a two
tone beep in quick succession similar to a emergency vehicle . I
tried it a gain tonight and the PC started but crashed when XP was
loading and did the reboot routine. This happened twice. Then the two
tone beep codes sounded like they were shot and dieing...very strange
sound to describe. After trying to rest PSU I just get black screen
with no post. If I let the PC sit a while with power switch on back
in off position, the machine will post but OS will crash just before
fully loading going thrrough same routine. Sometimes I can get to the
OS welcome screen. I started unplugging CD's, Hd's and USB devices
but no change.
Please tell me what the weird beep code means... I tried asus site but
can't find them.
[snip]

The beep code is a "stock" beep code that means the CPU is failing, or more likely, the CPU is overheating. Here's a list of beep codes:

http://bioscentral.com/beepcodes/awardbeep.htm

Clean the dust out of the system, then use some canned air to clean the dust out of the CPU heatsink and fan.
If it's not dusty, make sure the CPU fan is spinning at a proper speed and doesn't stop after a while. Check the heatsink mount. Is it loose? Check and clean as necessary the case fans and make sure they are spinning at proper speed and are clear of dust.

Your older system just needs a thorough inspection and cleaning.


Thanks for your input Rob,
I cleaned the system thoroughly and found an insect stuck in my video card fan. Now Bios is reporting 5V leg sometimes fluctuates between 4.3-4.9. I think this is my problem now. The mobo light sometimes blinks then crashes. Could the fan on the graphics cause the fluctuation? IS this the PSU or mobo failure? I have a volt meter, how do I check 5v leg on psu?
Thanks again
John
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