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4 short beeps
I just reinstalled Windows on a Dell Inspiron 9400. I downloaded the latest drivers and bios and installed them. I am now getting 4 short beeps when the computer is booting up. What does this mean?
Thank you!
LaptopNomad
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October 26th, 2009 08:00
That's BIOS trying to tell you there's something wrong before it can print anything on the screen.
That's why it's using beeps.
Look in your documentation for the meaning of 4 beeps.
At least it came through POST, else it would present a flash code at the keyboard lights.
Did you upgrade your BIOS also?
jar97
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October 26th, 2009 08:00
I don't know where the documentation is for this laptop and I tried searching online for the meaning of 4 beeps but couldn't find it. I did upgrade the BIOS.
LaptopNomad
539 Posts
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October 26th, 2009 11:00
See the support section of the DELL site for manuals.
Case the laptop plays dead after BIOS upgrade, seems to me the upgrade went sour.
Recovery from dead bios is a lot of reading and trying.
Good starting point is here http://www.wimsbios.com - go to the forum
jar97
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October 27th, 2009 06:00
I ended up running the Dell Diagnostics utility, not really expecting a result from it, but worth a try since I didn't have time to do much else to it yesterday. It ended up coming back with a keyboard error, one of the keys was stuck. And that was the problem. :P
ejn63
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October 27th, 2009 09:00
If the BIOS update did complete (i.e., you CAN boot the system):
Remove the battery and power. Hold the power button for 30 seconds and restart. If the beep continues, reseat the memory modules and video card -- if it continues thereafter, you have either bad memory or a bad video card.
If the system DOES NOT POST to a boot screen and the BIOS update did not complete, replace the system board.