POST Beep Code - 2 beeps

Question

On Sunday evening (21 March) my less-than-a-year old Dell quit operating (after being powered-up most of the afternoon). Since the indications it gave seemed to be a hard drive problem, customer service promptly sent a replacement hard drive. As I was preparing to install the drive and placed the Windows XP disk in the CD drive. The POST yeilded two beeps and now the BIOS cannot "see" the CD-ROM.

Before I continue my repair efforts, what does this code mean, and what is needed to restore the CD-ROM ?

Thanks for any assistance.

lyvwyr · Answer

Which Dell computer do you have ? Also, check the 4 indicator LED's on the back as to how they are lit. Message Edited by lyvwyr on 03-24-2004 02:10 PM

Majestic · Answer

What do the lights on the back of the computer show? Here is a link to the User Guide for your model and the various errors code that can be displayed and sounded:

View the diagnostic lights and follow any procedure it recommends. You might also try reseating all the cards, memory, processor and connectors inside your system. Possibly one or more of them worked loose while you were working inside your machine.

INeedaAnswer · Answer

Oops, The computer is a Dimension XPS - 3.0 GHz processor w/512 MB memory, and a 4X DVD+R/RW CD-RW running Windows XP pro service pack 1. Thanks for your interest

INeedaAnswer · Answer

The lights read - Green Green Green Yellow - which according to the service manual indicate the dreaded "Another failure has occurred". I carefully looked through the inside of the case, seated all the boards and cables, and tried again. Got the same four lights. Just as the D light turns yellow, I hear the 2 beeps. At this point I am out of ideas.

Thanks for the service manual link. Any additional help you can recommend would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

Majestic · Answer

The next thing I would try is disconnecting the CD.  Disconnect the power cable and pull the ribbon cable from the motherboard.  If the machine boots successfully then the next thing I would try is replacing the CD's ribbon cable which may be defective.  When replacing the ribbon cable check to see that all the pins on the motherboard connector and the CD's connector are aligned properly and not bent.  If the boot problem returns after a new cable is installed then I suspect the CD maybe at fault.

INeedaAnswer · Answer

Once again thanks for your help. Unfortunately, unplugging data and power cables has no effect on accessing either the CD or even the hard drive. I'm afraid the problem is deeper in the motherboard. The computer still can't find a primary drive 0.

Since the machine is still under warranty, I will follow further with the Dell service people.

Thanks for your help.

F_Kawashima · Answer

Most commonly, two beeps at startup mean that installed memory module(s) is/are incompatible, bad or dead.

Also, there are two other cases:

1. Issues on the processor module.

2. The logic board problems.

So, your conclusion about consulting with the Dell service people is very good idea.

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POST Beep Code - 2 beeps

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