Compaq 5300 Desktop just beeps

[DOD]

I have a Compaq 5300 that was running fine, then just quit one night. When I tried to restart it, it beeps once, then just beeps continuously. The Compaq logo is on the screen and it won't do anything. I have tried to change HD, memory al to no avail.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NYJimbo]

Typically continuous beep tones = Memory or Video memory failures

 

[DOD]

The memory is OK, I currently have the 512 stik in a Dell and it is working OK in that machine, although that machine has other issues, with or without this memory stik.

 

[Crgky127]

Can you get into the BIOS?

 

[DOD]

I tried hitting F1 to go into setup, but nothing. Is there another way to get into the BIOS?

 

[NYJimbo]

I tried hitting F1 to go into setup, but nothing. Is there another way to get into the BIOS?

Not sure if you are comfortable with it but in theory blowing out the CMOS should force it into the BIOS when you boot. However that is assuming that the machine can actually enter the BIOS and is not in a catatonic state already.

If the machine is a "lost cause" you might jumper the MB to clear the CMOS and see if that comes up on reboot, however as I said earlier you might have a memory, video memory, video card or similiar problem and the bios/cmos wont even be offered up to you on power up.

 

[JRoss]

http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/compaqbeep.htm

If it sounds like item 5 or 6, it is like Jimbo said, video or memory. Either way, not great.

 

[DOD]

If it is Video or memory (I have tried other memory in the machine) what will it take to fix it? A New motherboard? It was a great machine before this problem.

 

[JRoss]

If you have tried known good memory, the video is onboard and you can't get to the BIOS to turn off the onboard video and swap in a known good video card, you're hooped I figure. It is tough to say without looking at it but I fear the worst.

Have you tried resetting the CMOS as suggested earlier, and are you certain that it is F1 to access this particular BIOS? I know compaq uses F1, F2, F10, and del.

I guess you have to look at what it is worth to you and what a replacement board will cost. If you can't enter the BIOS, you're stuck.

 

[NYJimbo]

Maybe I am wrong but I think a cheap POST card tester would really shed some light on this baby.

 

[DOD]

What about just replacing the motherboard? The original is an ASUS P4G533, I am told that an semi-equivalent is a Biosar P4M90-M4. I say Semi-equivalent because the memory is different. Would it be easy and straight forward to just get a new motherboard and replace the old one? I do have a 1 Meg stick of the new memory already, so the only cost would be the Motherboard.

Would everything else be the same? Connectors, etc? I have not built a system in years, so I am hoping you folks that are more up to date with these things can help me out with this.

 

[seedubya]

I have not built a system in years,
I do have a 1 Meg stick of the new memory already,

It must be a really long time since you built a machine, we're dealing in Gigs of memory now


Seriously though, if you're thinking of replacing the mobo then any board that will accept the existing cpu and memory and will fit the case will do the job.