Three beeps when starting Win 7

[larryq22]

When I reboot my Windows 7 laptop, not only does it take 90 seconds to connect to the Internet, but when it connects there are 3 quick beeps. What does this mean?

 

[Fantail]

Sounds like an error with post - bios conflict. Perhaps with hardware. Could be ram - motherboard issues.
Perhaps you recently installed some conflicting drivers. Two stick of ram? - Try removing one and the other and reboot.

 

[Anak]

Do the beeps come right before windows starts or after?

The 90secs could be to many startup programs that don't really need to start when you boot.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1401-startup-programs-change.html See Method 3, you will want to keep anything microsoft, CPU, GPU, or Sound related checked.
If you are unsure post a screenshot of your startup tab from msconfig.

The beeps would depend on the brand of BIOS and motherboard (MB)
Computer POST and beep codes

Usually three beeps mean a problem with the installed memory. Follow fantail's guidance, the RAM contacts may be dirty or loose. Clean with a pencil eraser, check for looseness.

 

[larryq22]

Anak - the 3 beeps come well after Windows starts, simultaneously when the Internet connects (after 90 sec).

I have very few programs in startup so I don't think that's the problem. I removed a few more through CCleaner but it didn't make much difference in startup time.

How difficult is it to check RAM sticks in a 2008 Dell Laptop? I've never "looked under the hood" in a laptop and don't want to ruin anything since it still works.

 

[Anak]

Strange, A POST beep after you're in Windows. POST's beeps are always during the PowerOnSelfTest.

That might be a beep code from your network interface card (NIC) I'd have to look into that. You might even find a reference to it in the manual at the link below.

Checking the memory doesn't look too hard, there's this:



And I found a manual, https://archive.org/details/dell-manual-inspiron-1720service-manual because the 1720 is no longer being made I believe. If you want to download it, click on the PDF link in the left panel.

This product is currently unavailable. Please find our recommendation for a comparable system below.

 

[windude99]

Does this happen when you turn your computer's sound off?

 

[larryq22]

Thanks for the manual. I couldn't find anything on the NIC (network interface card) though.

I don't think the 3-beeps happen with the sound muted but I'll check. Stay tuned ...

 

[larryq22]

No beeps when sound is muted. Still takes same amount of time to connect.

 

[Anak]

Your welcome.

Has your 1720 seen any rough treatment lately?

I did find:

Reseat the Network Interface Card. If your computer beeps (POST codes - Power On Self Test) then one of your cards is not seated correctly.

Source, 8th from the bottom: PC Troubleshooting Network Interface Card

 

[AddRAM]

How far away is the wireless router/modem etc ?

Are they actually beeps, or is it the device connect sound that windows makes ?

 

[Anak]

Other than RAM or your NIC not being seated properly or bad the only other two things I can think of are:

Go into Device Manager through Control Panel, do you see any yellow triangles? :warn:
And some type of system sound that you might have activated and forgot about.

No beeps when sound is muted. Still takes same amount of time to connect.

How did you mute the sound, did you go into Sounds and set the sound tab to no sounds or did you just shut off the speakers?

I did find some suggestions here: http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/252511-dell-inspiron-560-error-beeps.html