Dell Inspiron 560 Error Beeps

[lopploio]

Hi, My sister was using her computer and she booted up windows 7. She then tried updating steam and opening chrome. Her computer then lost the display and crashed windows. It started doing beep codes. I can't tell how many beeps there are though. its either beep-beep beep or beep-beep or beep beep-beep.

Any help is appreciated.

Here is a Youtube Video
Dell Beep Code for Inspiron 560 - YouTube
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qJcJteVwhP0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[TVeblen]

That does not sound like normal beep code to me. If that is 3 short beeps in each series it is too fast. There is no way to tell if there is any short or long beeps in that because it is too fast.

Here are the beep codes for the Inspiron:


And here is a link to the manual:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/insp560mt/en/sg/sg_en.pdf

First thing to try: shut off, remove power cord, wait a few minutes, then connect the power cord and try and start up again.

You might try performing a Clear CMOS (resetting the BIOS). I don't know what motherboard you have in the computer, so I don't know if it has a CLRTC or ClearCMOS jumper, but most do.

Procedure:

• Note all your current BIOS settings (Ignore this in your case)
  
• Shut down the computer > remove the power cord.
• Remove the 3v battery.
• Move the CLRTC jumper from pins 1-2 to 2-3.
• Touch a metal part of the case and Press and Hold the reset button for approx. 30 seconds to discharge all power from the board.
• Put the CLRTC jumper back on pins 1-2.
• Replace the 3v battery > replace the power cord > boot.
• Immediately go back into BIOS and reset all your preferred settings. If the CLRTC worked you will need to reset the date and time.

 

[Debbie B]

Hi,

Following are the possible issues according to the series of beeps:

One
Possible system board failure — BIOS ROM checksum failure.

Two
No RAM detected
NOTE: If you installed or replaced the memory module ensure that the memory module is seated properly.

Three
Possible system board failure — Chipset error.

Four
RAM read/write failure.

Five
Real Time Clock failure.

Six
Video card or chip failure.

Seven
Processor failure.

*The delay between each beep is 300ms, the delay between each set of beeps is 3 sec, the beep sound last 300ms.

Please reply with results.

 

[lopploio]

I was having a hard time figuring out what the beep code could mean because it goes by so fast. She encounters this problem occasionally. It has happened twice so far in the last week when it first started. It happens when she first starts her computer and logs in to windows.

 

[TVeblen]

Beep codes occur long before the machine starts to load Windows. The motherboard will send out a beep code right after the Power On Self Test, within the first couple of seconds.

If the "beeping" happens after Windows starts to load ("Starting Windows" on the black screen with the coalescing squares) then it may be something completely different.

Can you confirm when in the startup process this occurs?

 

[lopploio]

This error happens after she loads Windows and starts doing things like opening steam, chrome, or anything else. it doesn't always occur. Windows does load though. It usually happens when windows if first loaded The display disappears and computer begins to beep. with the blinking amber light consistent with beep codes.

 

[TVeblen]

A long shot - does she have a program called Bitmeter installed?

I'm also thinking it might be an overheating warning. Is there a lot of dust inside the case? What happens if you run it with the side of the case left off?

 

[Debbie B]

Hi,

I would suggest you to do Flee Power. Remove any 3rd party peripherals and power cord from your Desktop, press and hold the power button for 20 seconds to discharge any residual current inside the desktop. This clears RAM and resets the hardware.

Also, would suggest you to reseat the Memory Module(s) one by one which could fix this issue. You can click on the URL mentioned which will guide you in reseating the Memory Module(s):
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/insp560st/en/sm/memory.htm#wp1181566

*To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover.

Hope this helps.

 

[lopploio]

She does not have bitmeter installed and I checked the temperatures with speedfan. It says they're normal. I ran RAM diagnostics and it passed.

 

[TVeblen]

I honestly don't know what would cause a motherboard to beep after the operating system has started.

As I stated before: it does not sound like a typical motherboard beep. I'm thinking it might be something else. And since the display cuts out when this happens I'm wondering if the sound is coming from the video card?

Can you open up the case a check the next time this happens?

 

[fireberd]

To temporarily eliminate any Windows system function beeps, go to the Control Panel/Hardware and Sound. Click on Change System Sounds, under the Sound entry. Change the Sound Scheme to "no sounds" and then click Apply. That will eliminate any Windows system sounds or sounds from programs that use the Windows system sounds. Then see if you are getting any sounds. You can change the Sound Scheme back to what it was originally after you get done testing.

 

[lopploio]

I honestly don't know what would cause a motherboard to beep after the operating system has started.

As I stated before: it does not sound like a typical motherboard beep. I'm thinking it might be something else. And since the display cuts out when this happens I'm wondering if the sound is coming from the video card?

Can you open up the case a check the next time this happens?

I'll do that if it happens again

 

[lopploio]

Hi, I've solved the problem with her computer. Apparently one the RAM sticks went bad so she is now down to 6 gb of ram from 8 gb ram