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Repair guide

Read PC POST beeps and fix a no-video start

The motherboard BIOS beeps in patterns to say what failed. Note the pattern and BIOS vendor, then check the likely culprits such as RAM, video card and power.

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Diagnosis · Easy · about 30 minutes. Worth doing. Reports say this fix helps on many machines.

You are in the right place if: The PC gives no picture, beeps in a pattern, or stops before the operating system loads.

Before you start

  • Unplug before reseating parts.
  • If you see bulged capacitors, do not keep powering the board.

Board revisions and models

Beep patterns differ between AMI, Award, Phoenix and IBM BIOS.

Parts you may need

Tools

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Step by step

  1. Note the beeps Write down the exact pattern, long and short, and how many.
  2. Identify the BIOS Look for the BIOS maker on the board or in the manual, since each has its own table.
  3. Look up the pattern Compare with the vendor's chart.
  4. Strip back to minimum Remove everything except CPU, one RAM module, video card and keyboard.
  5. Reseat RAM and cards Reseat the RAM and video card.
  6. Check the power supply Check the supply voltages.
  7. Check for bulged capacitors Look at the board for bulged or leaking capacitors.
  8. Check the battery Check the CMOS battery and reset the CMOS if needed.
  9. Add parts back Add parts back one at a time.

Tips, tales and maybes

Found in write-ups and forum threads. These are other people's reports, not tested by us.

  • Tip (Medium confidence). The Abit BP6 page explains the bulged capacitor problem on a 1999-era board in plain terms. Source
  • Maybe (Low confidence). A POST card is a handy diagnostic for machines without a speaker. General technique, no source.

Guides we used

We wrote the steps in our own words from these. They have the photos and the full detail, so please read them and support their authors.

  • Abit BP6 bad capacitors (Guide) by Dave Burton. A plain-language explanation of failing capacitors near the CPU on a 1999-era motherboard.

Boards and models vary, so check what is in front of you. A repair can involve hot tools, chemicals and, on some machines, dangerous voltages. You do it at your own risk.

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