The computer does not turn on and makes sounds. There is no sound signal when turning on the computer: possible reasons, expert advice. Problems related to the video card

Every time the computer boots, the system unit makes a beeping noise. Not everyone knows that this is a signal indicating the performance of the system unit. And only a few know how to decipher these signals from the system unit.

That's what we'll talk about. If you are reading this material, I recommend printing it out now. When you need decryption, you won’t be able to get online. :)

So what is the “system specialist” squeaking about? These signals are the result of testing the computer hardware (cooler, RAM, video card, etc.). Every time you boot your computer, it tests the hardware and reports the results with this particular squeak. The transcript of the system unit squeaks is below.

* One short squeak.
Explanation:
Everything is fine. The test was completed successfully. You can continue to work. It happens that some system units do not beep at all at this moment.
* There is not a squeak or image on the computer screen.
Explanation:
Malfunction in the power supply or processor.
Correction:
First, check to see if the power cord is plugged into the outlet. If everything is in order, try connecting a known working device to the surge protector (such a cord with a box in which there are many sockets, there is also a switch button, usually red). A phone charger will do, of course, with a phone connected to it. You need to check all the surge protector sockets. If the socket is working, the phone will charge. Next, we check whether the power supply starts when you press the computer start button. In this case, the cooler (fan) of the power supply should at least twitch. If there is movement, look for a new processor, otherwise, a new power supply. You also need to check the power cable of the motherboard. It may happen that he moved away.
* One long continuous squeak.
Explanation:
The power supply is faulty.
Correction:
Purchasing a new power supply.
* Two short squeaks.
Explanation:
Minor problems with BIOS settings.
Correction:
Go to the BIOS and set the optimal parameters. Exiting to the BIOS is usually done using the key. If you don't know what to change, then set the default values. To do this, press the button. To exit with saving - , . Some BIOS versions themselves highlight conflicting settings items by highlighting them. You can also reset the BIOS settings by removing the motherboard battery for a few seconds.
* Three long squeaks.
Explanation:
The keyboard is missing.
Correction:
Plug the keyboard into the PS/2 socket. If this does not help, you will have to change the keyboard.
* Three short squeaks.
Explanation:
RAM error.
Correction:
To do this, you need to check whether there are memory sticks on the motherboard. Don't laugh, it happens. Then you need to remove all the memory sticks, carefully sweep away the accumulated dust, and one by one stick the memory stick in and start the system unit. If the “system unit” beeps on some strip, this may mean that the strip is faulty.
* One long and one short squeak.
Explanation:
RAM is not working properly.
Correction:
Perhaps one or more memory sticks are conflicting with each other. You need to insert one memory stick at a time and try to start the computer.
* One long and two short squeaks.
Explanation:
The video adapter is not working properly.
Correction:
Correct settings in BIOS.
* One long and three short squeaks.
Explanation:
The video adapter does not work.
Correction:
Check the performance of the video card. To do this, you need another, known working video card. You can also try removing the card, removing dust from the slot, and sticking the card back in place. And don’t forget to check if the card has additional plugs for power. Power to such video cards must be supplied with a separate cord to which no device is connected. I also suggest checking whether the monitor is connected and working. Try to blow out the connector connecting the monitor to the computer.
* One long and eight short squeaks.
Explanation:
The video adapter is not working or the monitor is not connected.
Correction:
Same as written above.
* One long and nine short squeaks.
Explanation:
Error reading BIOS data.
Correction:
Try resetting the BIOS settings by removing the battery. If this does not help, then flash the BIOS. But this is another story, requiring a separate article. I'll try to write it soon.
* Four short squeaks.
Explanation:
The system timer does not work.
Correction:
You can try resetting the BIOS. But, unfortunately, it rarely helps. There is only one way out - replace or repair the motherboard.
* Five short squeaks.
Explanation:
The processor is not working properly.
Correction:
Try to clean the dust from the processor slot, make sure the heatsink is clean and the processor temperature is low.
* Six short squeaks.
Explanation:
The keyboard is faulty.
* Seven short squeaks.
Explanation:
Motherboard malfunctions.
Correction:
Have the motherboard repaired or purchase a new one.
* Eight short squeaks.
Explanation:
Problems with video memory.
Correction:
Take the video adapter for repair, or purchase a new one.
* Nine short squeaks.
Explanation:
Incorrect BIOS checksum.
Correction:
Usually it is suggested to reset the BIOS settings and allows you to continue working. If something happens, you can reset the BIOS by removing the battery.
* Ten short squeaks.
Explanation:
Error writing data to CMOS chip.
Correction:
This error may occur when flashing the BIOS. Therefore, we will describe this part in another article.
* Eleven short squeaks.
Explanation:
The cache memory is not working properly.
Correction:
Reset BIOS. If this does not help, we take the computer in for repair or install a new processor.
* Repeated long squeaks.
Explanation:
The RAM is faulty or incorrectly connected.
Correction:
Reconnecting memory sticks. Calculating the faulty one by connecting one by one and starting the computer. Cleaning from dust.
* Repeated short squeaks.
Explanation:
The power supply is not working properly.
Correction:
Checking the functionality of the power supply, checking the cords for breaks, checking the surge protector, and, last but not least, replacing the power supply.

That's all. If you have any questions, ask.

PS: To reset the BIOS, instead of removing the battery, you can use a special jumper. Its location can be found in the documentation for the motherboard.

Addition: BIOS signal encodings if the computer died.
AWARD BIOS Signals


Continuous signal. The power supply is faulty.

2 short. Minor errors found.
3 long. Keyboard controller error.
1 long + 1 short. Problems with RAM.
1 long + 2 short. Problem with the video card.
1 long + 3 short. An error occurred while initializing the keyboard.
1 long + 9 short. An error occurred while reading data from the read-only memory chip.
1 long repeating. Memory modules are installed incorrectly.
1 short repeating. Problems with the power supply.

AMI BIOS signals
There are no signals. The power supply is faulty or not connected to the motherboard.
1 short. No errors found.
2 short. RAM parity error.
3 short. An error occurred during the operation of the first 64 KB of main memory.
4 short. The system timer is faulty.
5 short. The central processor is faulty.
6 short. The keyboard controller is faulty.
7 short. The motherboard is faulty.
8 short. Video memory is faulty.
9 short. BIOS chip contents checksum error.
10 short. Cannot write to CMOS memory.
11 short. The external cache memory (installed in the slots on the motherboard) is faulty.
1 long + 2 short. The video card is faulty.
1 long + 3 short. The video card is faulty.
1 long + 8 short. Problems with the video card or the monitor is not connected.

PHOENIX BIOS signals
1-1-3. CMOS data write/read error.
1-1-4. BIOS chip contents checksum error.
1-2-1. The motherboard is faulty.
1-2-2. DMA controller initialization error.
1-2-3. Error when trying to read/write to one of the DMA channels.
1-3-1. RAM regeneration error.
1-3-3. Error when testing the first 64 KB of RAM.
1-3-4. Error when testing the first 64 KB of RAM.
1-4-1. The motherboard is faulty.
1-4-2. RAM testing error.
1-4-3. System timer error.
1-4-4. Error accessing I/O port.
3-1-1. Error initializing the second DMA channel.
3-1-2. Error initializing the first DMA channel.
3-1-4. The motherboard is faulty.
3-2-4. Keyboard controller error.
3-3-4. Video memory testing error.
4-2-1. System timer error.
4-2-3. Line error A20. The keyboard controller is faulty.
4-2-4. Error when working in protected mode. The CPU may be faulty.
4-3-1. Error when testing RAM.
4-3-4. Real time clock error.
4-4-1. Serial port test failed. The error may be caused by a device using this port.
4-4-2. Error while testing parallel port. The error may be caused by a device using this port.
4-4-3. Error when testing the math coprocessor.

If, when you turn on your computer, you suddenly discover that its speakers do not make any sound, do not rush to get upset; perhaps you can solve the problem yourself, without even turning to specialists.

It is necessary to look for the reason for the lack of sound either in the hardware or software of the computer. That is, the reason lies in the malfunction of some components, or in problems with the operating system settings.

To try to restore sound on your computer, first of all, you need to determine the reason for its absence. It makes sense to start with the simplest. First, check whether the power of the sound speakers is turned on and whether they are connected to the computer, whether the power LED on the front panel of the speaker is lit, then simply restart the computer - it is quite possible that after this the sound will appear.

So, workshop: What to do if the sound disappears?

If sound does not appear, look in the taskbar at the bottom of the computer screen for an icon representing a speaker. This icon must not be crossed out. If the icon is crossed out, it means that the sound on the computer is muted. To turn it on, right-click on the speaker picture, and in the window that appears, click “Enable sound”.

In the same window, you can set the sound of the speakers by moving the sliders in the appropriate direction with the mouse.

If you suspect that the speakers have failed, you can check their performance by connecting to any other sound source that has an identical audio output connector, it could be a mobile phone, player, laptop, etc.

Another way to solve the sound problem: open the “device manager”, for example, in this way - Start Menu > Control Panel > System > Device Manager. After opening the “device manager”, make sure that the devices on the computer are recognized, that is, there should be no exclamation marks. If an exclamation mark is detected, then there are problems with this device. Go to the “properties” menu of this device and try reinstalling the driver.

You can install a known-good sound card into the system unit if the computer has a discrete, that is, a separate, rather than built-in, sound card installed. If the problem is solved after this, then the reason lies in the sound card - it will have to be replaced.

The next method is to try to restore some previous restore point in the operating system when the computer was working normally. In the Windows 7 operating system, this can be done like this: Start Menu > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.” Next, you just need to follow all the computer prompts and select the date of the corresponding restore point.

A more labor-intensive method is to reinstall the operating system. It is better to take on this job if you have at least a little experience in this matter. If you have never reinstalled an operating system yourself, then it is advisable to ask a knowledgeable friend to do it, or contact a service specialist. By the way, if all the methods described above did not bring success, and sound did not appear on the computer, then the computer definitely needs to be shown to specialists.

After you press the computer's power button, you hear a characteristic sound. It is supplied by the BIOS system upon successful completion of the self-test. This signal “says” that everything is fine with your PC, the system is ready to work. But what if there is no sound signal when you turn on the computer? Let's look together at the causes of the problem, consider expert advice on how to fix the problem, and also take a closer look at the BIOS signals - how they report a particular malfunction with their sounds. Shall we begin?

Characteristic signs of the problem

There is no beep when turning on the computer. Trouble, as they say, does not come alone. The problem itself rarely manifests itself. Most often it is accompanied by a black monitor - there are no images on the screen.

At the same time, you can hear how the computer coolers work properly. What could these signs mean?

What happened to the computer?

When you turn on the computer, there is no sound signal, and the device itself looks “dead” and does not react in any way to your manipulations?

Here is the consequence of the PC failing the self-test. If you haven’t opened the system unit before, then it can only mean one thing: your BIOS, the heart of the entire system, has been screwed up. Only a professional computer technician can deal with the problem and solve it.

But in any situation there are exceptions. Perhaps the problem is not that serious. Therefore, if there is no sound signal when you turn on the computer, you should not immediately rush to take the PC to a service center. First, you need to self-diagnose for more easily fixed problems.

Poor contact

Why is there no beep when I turn on my computer? It may be a bad connection in one of the connections. So check carefully:

  • Are the computer mouse and keyboard connected well to the system unit?
  • Is the monitor connector securely screwed in, etc.

Bad contact in itself is no joke. This problem can lead to quite sad consequences. It is a bad connection that can cause the following troubles: your processor, motherboard or monitor will burn out.

Video card malfunctions

Does your computer not beep when you turn it on? The system may not be able to pass the self-test due to some problem with the graphics card. Unfortunately, computers have not yet learned to respond properly to all possible scenarios of component failure. Therefore, such a sad answer may come out.

The BIOS self-test text was designed in such a way that a sequential check of all system components is carried out. And the video card is right at the very beginning of this list. It’s easy to check that the root of the problem lies precisely there: carefully remove the element from the system unit. Try turning on your computer after this.

If in response to these actions the BIOS deafens you with a squeak, then the problem is correctly identified - the video card is faulty. The issue can be resolved by replacing it with a similar working device.

It is much more difficult to deal with the problem if your computer has an integrated video card. After all, in this case you cannot do without a second device. If after installing the second video card the computer starts to turn on normally again, then the problem is clearly defined. Its root is in the integrated staffing system.

However, such a problem is not at all a reason to say goodbye to a computer that has a working motherboard and a perfectly functioning processor. As practice shows, with an external video card, a PC can serve the user for up to ten years!

Incorrect installation of equipment

When you turn on your computer, the BIOS sound does not turn on? Perhaps the source of the problem was your careless actions. This applies to those cases when you yourself replaced any components in the system unit.

How to understand that this is the problem? Turn off the computer, and then remove the newly installed equipment from the system unit. If the characteristic BIOS beep appears again when you turn it on, then the problem is your actions. Most likely, the new board is either faulty or incompatible with your computer.

BIOS update

No sound when you turn on your computer? Let's look at rarer, but still occurring cases. Sometimes the root of the problem is in the BIOS itself, namely in updating it. You may have equipped your PC with a new BIOS that is not compatible with your device.

How to avoid such trouble in the future? Pay attention to the test program, which is usually supplied with each BIOS equipment. Don't be lazy to run it on your PC.

Is the new BIOS fully compatible with your computer components? Don't rush to install it right away. First of all, protect your computer from sudden power outages. A UPS - uninterruptible power supply - will help you with this.

Why is this necessary? If the power supply stops while updating the BIOS on your computer, there is a 99.9% chance that the device will never turn on.

No internal speaker

How to make a BIOS sound when you turn on your computer? The user himself cannot configure this characteristic squeak and cannot activate it. The only thing that is possible is to turn on the melody when greeting Windows. But the OS interface settings have nothing to do with our problem.

So, you do not hear the characteristic BIOS signal when you turn on the computer. Moreover, the splash screen with the name of your motherboard did not appear, and there is no report message with the results of checking the system status. But at the same time you see the operating system greeting, the PC boots normally.

What it is? Your computer is functioning normally! We have a “false alarm” before us. The problem is that the PC does not have an internal speaker. This does not prevent it from functioning normally, but it can become a source of problems in the future. After all, it is through this speaker that the BIOS reports normal operation or certain system problems. With such an omission, you should contact the assembler of your system unit. Most likely, he simply forgot to install the beeper.

What is POST?

Let's now get acquainted with the test, the successful completion of which is indicated by this signal. Power-On-Self-Test is a diagnostic system self-test program that is stored in the BIOS ROM.

POST is designed to check all the most important components of the system:

  • CPU;
  • RAM;
  • motherboard chips.

Information about the completion of the test is, accordingly, announced through the internal speaker of the system with a certain sound signal. If any of the components is inoperative, a specific series of long and short beeps will be issued. After this, most likely, the computer will turn off automatically.

What should be done in this case? Listen carefully to the signal and remember, write down the sequence of short and long beeps. If you did not have time to do this, then turn on the computer 30 seconds after its automatic deactivation. The signal will repeat.

What to do next? Refer to your motherboard manufacturer's instructions. Most likely, it will contain a table with a decoding of the BIOS signal. Such information is also available on the official websites of motherboard manufacturers. Decoding the signal will help you find out for yourself what is wrong with your computer, which of its components is faulty.

IBM BIOS Signals

Each motherboard model usually has its own decryption table. Unfortunately, there is no universal one. As an example, we will present the most common one - IBM BIOS. The sounds when turned on are as follows:

  • One short signal - the test was completed successfully.
  • There is no signal - the power supply is damaged.
  • Continuous beeping - the power supply is damaged.
  • Repeated short beeps indicate problems with the power supply.
  • Long and short beep - motherboard malfunction.
  • A short signal coupled with a black screen means the video card is damaged.
  • A long signal and two short ones means problems with the video system.
  • A long signal and three short ones means problems with the video system.
  • Two short beeps - the monitor is not connected.
  • Three long beeps - the motherboard is faulty, a keyboard controller error has been detected.

The usual beeping sound from the internal speaker when you turn on your computer is an important signal that tells you that your PC is working properly and is ready to work. If there is no such sound message, then this may indicate a problem with the BIOS, or other malfunctions that we also considered. We advise you to find a table with signals on the motherboard manufacturer’s website in order to identify the problem in time and solve it.