Windows 7 - Computer Has Odd Beeps When Starting

Recently my computer (HP Pavilion Slimline s7700e PC, running Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit) has been starting with two short beeps; lower in tone than previously... the first beep a little lower in tone than the second. The tone repeats itself one more time.

A couple of weeks ago the computer was making beeps that signaled a memory error, so we removed and replaced the memory modules and the computer booted up again, but with the new tones. It's been running fine since.

This morning I attempted to turn the computer on and nothing happened. I went and booted up my laptop to check my email, and while I was doing so the desktop computer suddenly came alive, with the same two lower-toned beeps has been the norm lately.

Does anyone have an any idea what might be going on with my computer?

Thanks in advance for any help. I'm afraid to turn it off again for fear it won't start. We have to go out today, and I hope it comes out of hibernation when we get back home.

Karen

Most of the time, those two beeps indicate a memory problem. Have you followed this guide?

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - BIOS Beep Codes - bph07107 - HP Business Support Center

I'm totally confused about what to do with this computer. It sometimes has three beeps, sometimes two. This morning it again hesitated to start..... waited about a minute before it starting booting after I'd pressed the power button. I'm almost afraid to turn it off again, for fear that next time it may just not start at all. I've got an online backup service, so if it should totally crash I'll be able to restore my files.

We've unseated and reseated the memory modules. If that's the problem, it would seem it's the memory itself and not the modules not being seated correctly. It just seems as though this is a waiting game.... to see what happens next with this computer.

If it's not the memory, what else could it be? I don't understand the missing utility or BIOS image that is referred to in the beep code chart for three beeps.

Karen

Download the Memtest ISO from here:

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Burn it to a CD and boot your computer from the CD to run the memory tests to see how it's performing. Run it for at least 3 passes and see if there are any errors.