Is My Computer Fried!?!?!?!?!?

[aznhiroller]

Today I'm using my computer and all of a sudden it freezes, which it has never done before. I turn it off and then back on but it wont turn on! . The computer beeps a couple of times and then seems to by running by the screen stays black and mouse doesnt have power. I was using it 2secs before and it was working fine. To be sure I checked and double checked the connection and they are good. The computer I have is some kind of gateway bought 2 summers ago. So, is my computer dead?

 

 

 

And if it is, is there any way to save the hard drive? I have music/college essays/stuff that I still want.

 

 

 

Also does anyone recommend and good windows based computer between $600-$800? I should probably start looking for a replacement.

 

 

 

Thanks for all the help!!

 

 

 

EDIT: It has broken down again..... but when i tried to start it up, it work.. help!?

[urbestfreind]

What did the beeps sound like. You hear the BIOS beep codes. Letting us know exactly what they sounded like (from number of beeps to loudness) will help us figure out exactly what is wrong with the computer, and what needs to be fixed. You may not have to by a whole new computer, depending on the problem, but beep codes are rarely a good thing, especially if you haven't performed any upgrades (like RAM) recently.

 

 

 

If you want to start looking at new computers, there are quite a few threads on the first two pages that can help you there.

[Sbrideau]

True, it would help us to have the beep scheme.

[Imamonkey]

I suppose it could be a number of different issues. One possibility could be your hard drive being to full I suppose. How large is your hard drive, and how full is it?

 

 

 

Does it run if you leave it turned off for a while? Sometimes computers will collect to much dust on the inside and in the power supply causing them to overheat. If this is the problem, dusting it out with some canned air will more than likely fix it if that is the issue. If you do this though, do not spray it with the can turned upside down.

[aznhiroller]

it was like 5 or 6 beeps and how do describe the loudness???? They were ...errrr .....loud??

 

 

 

but that doesn't matter any more bc it workss now!!!!!!!!!!!!I turned it on and it worked!!.

 

So much for that saying about how consistent computers are...

 

 

 

Thanks for the time guys.

[Denismage]

Check for bulged capacitors on the motherboard. Just because your power supply was powerful enough to launch everything disregarding messed up capacitors (if that is the case), doesn't mean it will continue doing so.

[thrash-boy]

im not sure whta made it die and all of a sudden work again, maybe it overheated?

 

anyway ill answer the question anyway:

 

 

 

turn it on and count the beep pattern

 

then look here: http://www.pctechbytes.com/bios.htm

 

 

 

also denismage may be on to something there

[urbestfreind]

Alright. But just to clear things up for the future:

 

 

 

Some beep codes vary in loudness. Some may be loud, some soft, and some could be a combination of both loud and soft. I didn't mean describe the loudness, I should have said volume, sorry.

 

 

 

Also, there are meanings for both 5 and 6 beeps, depending on your motherboard model, so we would have needed an exact answer (and probably the motherboard model, but I was waiting to see if anything "panned out" before I went into that).

 

 

 

Glad your computer is working again, but you should be careful. I would personally run a checkdisk scan and clean up some areas like the temp folder (you can use something like CCleaner to do this).

 

 

 

Also, you may want to open up your computer (or get someone who is knowledgable with computer parts) and check if everything is seated properly, and nothing is melted/bulgy, or anything else that seems wrong.

 

 

 

I just checked online, and 5 beeps usually means Processor Error (meaning overheated, broken, etc.), in which case you would probably be better off with a new computer. 6 Beeps may indicate a gate problem on the MoBo and mean you need a new motherboard, which means new computer time is probably around the corner.

[Denismage]

6 Beeps may indicate a gate problem on the MoBo and mean you need a new motherboard, which means new computer time is probably around the corner.

 

 

 

Actually, you can buy right capacitors from a small computer store and replace all the bulged ones and those beside them, potentially removing the problem. Worth trying especially when capacitors cost 50 cents and a new motherboard costs from 60 to 400 dollars.

[urbestfreind]

6 Beeps may indicate a gate problem on the MoBo and mean you need a new motherboard, which means new computer time is probably around the corner.

 

 

 

Actually, you can buy right capacitors from a small computer store and replace all the bulged ones and those beside them, potentially removing the problem. Worth trying especially when capacitors cost 50 cents and a new motherboard costs from 60 to 400 dollars.

 

 

 

Capacitor is not equal to controller. We're not talking about a blown capacitor here, I know you can fix that. Not only is this not really replacable, but its vital to system function. It controls the keyboard and mouse, yes (which would also explain the mouse problem the OP said they had), but it controls access to the "High Memory Area". Without keyboard, mouse, or the ability to use DOS (which is what the HMA is used for apparently), then there is no real way to use the computer.

 

 

 

[source]

[OldJoe]

Sounds like a motherboard issue to me.

 

 

 

Read all your temps in core temp (windows) or in the BIOS and post 'em back, since it sounds like an overheating issue to me.

 

Btw, desktop or laptop?

[eggzs]

Check if RAM is properly seated and the latches are closed, had an old computer that continuously beeped when the RAM was not properly fastened.

[folmer_veeman]

Definately overheat, have had the same problem. Make sure that your fan isn't blocked by a wall and you'll be allright.