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[ktreas]

Dear FB, it could very well be a hardware issue, but it could also be a virus or even a microsoft update issue.

Ktreas, you can replace cards in your computer reletively easy. Unscrew the case and pop out the piece u need to replace and insert another. There are many videos on youtube which can walk you through it! Best wishes!

I do believe mine is a hardware issue and most likely the video card, but with my PC that was stolen it was the MB, so what do I know--huge sigh--
Oh Goodness I looked inside that case and I could not tell where the wires started or ended 
This has five fans which is causing most of my confusion, I am afraid my fingers will turn into thumbs at the wrong moment 

[marilyn.monroe]

I do believe mine is a hardware issue and most likely the video card, but with my PC that was stolen it was the MB, so what do I know--huge sigh--
Oh Goodness I looked inside that case and I could not tell where the wires started or ended 
This has five fans which is causing most of my confusion, I am afraid my fingers will turn into thumbs at the wrong moment 

Unplug it and remove the battery if you try to fix it.

 http://www.directron.com/howtovideo.html
How to Upgrade and Install a Video Card?

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3118_7-5023982-1.html
How to install graphics card

[marilyn.monroe]

I do believe mine is a hardware issue and most likely the video card, but with my PC that was stolen it was the MB, so what do I know--huge sigh--
Oh Goodness I looked inside that case and I could not tell where the wires started or ended 
This has five fans which is causing most of my confusion, I am afraid my fingers will turn into thumbs at the wrong moment 

Did you try holding F8 down on start, or find your computer model instructions for restoring system from disk or from the harddrive partition?

[marilyn.monroe]

There is some issue with a "black screen of death" that has been going on for a few years now. Microsoft neither confirms nor denies a Windows update can mess up your system, they pointed the finger at a virus. There could be a number of reasons for black screen. Anyone want to discuss the "bsod" further?

[ktreas]

Did you try holding F8 down on start, or find your computer model instructions for restoring system from disk or from the harddrive partition?

Not yet, it is not hooked up to my monitor and my teenager is the only one who knows how to do it--I am legally blind BTW--another reason why I could NEVER fix PC hardware 
Anyway, My daughter is on teenager time so she sleeps late on weekends, I will have her hook it up as soon as I hear her moving around. 

[ktreas]

There is some issue with a "black screen of death" that has been going on for a few years now. Microsoft neither confirms nor denies a Windows update can mess up your system, they pointed the finger at a virus. There could be a number of reasons for black screen. Anyone want to discuss the "bsod" further?

Microsoft updates SUCK--hope I can say that?
This is the first time I had Windows 7 and it updated on me before I could stop it--so who knows, that could be it too, but would it cause the beeping or beeps?
I usually turn off updates but I forgot about it this time 
Also I run Kaspersky antivirus.

[marilyn.monroe]

Microsoft updates SUCK--hope I can say that?
This is the first time I had Windows 7 and it updated on me before I could stop it--so who knows, that could be it too, but would it cause the beeping or beeps?
I usually turn off updates but I forgot about it this time 
Also I run Kaspersky antivirus.

yes you can! I am not sure about the beeps, but if you look up your model, you can find what the beep codes mean. That may or may not be helpful. Hopefully you and your assistant can restore the system or reinstall windows and start fresh. Won't hurt to try that.

[ytrewq]

If its beeping its virtually guaranteed to be hardware issue.  POST beeps occur long before any operating system ever even considers starting (relatively speaking.)  You gotta count the beeps then look at what they mean.

[ktreas]

If its beeping its virtually guaranteed to be hardware issue.  POST beeps occur long before any operating system ever even considers starting (relatively speaking.)  You gotta count the beeps then look at what they mean.

I know I have to count them BUT I hear ONE LONG beep and my oldest daughter hears several short beeps--which I do not hear.  So we need someone experienced with this to get it right   

[Baby Hitler]

Dear FB, it could very well be a hardware issue, but it could also be a virus or even a microsoft update issue.

Ktreas, you can replace cards in your computer reletively easy. Unscrew the case and pop out the piece u need to replace and insert another. There are many videos on youtube which can walk you through it! Best wishes!

Dear Marilyn, I worked as a PC technician for over 10 years. I think I know what I am talking about.


1 Long, 3 Short - Conventional/Extended memory failure

You stated you had 5 gb of ram, which is an unusual number, they usually come in even numbers and come in pairs. If you know what the ram looks like, try first to see if any are not seated properly.

If that is your motherboard, the ram is located in the blue and black slots.

If they all seem to be seated properly, remove them one at a time and then try to boot it up.

Also, make sure that before you touch the motherboard, or remove the ram, or do anything, that you unplug the computer, and ground yourself by touching the metal on the case to discharge any static electricity.

[Baby Hitler]

To remove the ram, push down and out on the white tabs on both sides of the ram at the same time. The ram chip should pop right out.

To put it back in, make sure the white tabs are spread out on both sides, check the groove in the bottom of the ram and make sure to line it up with the groove in the slot. Push down firmly until the tabs lock into place.

[arpydave]

I'm along the lines as FB, as a start.  Basic PC troubleshooting is no more mysterious as basic car diagnosis.  If your left front tire is suddenly 15 psi low, do you think you need an alignment because it shimmies?  Maybe you need to add air or fix the leak first.

I have had a memory fix myself with change of the seasons; pop them and re-seat them.  Likely due to close tolerances, temp change and humidity.  Way cheaper.  But again, FB is right that an odd number (5) is unique.

If that's not the fix, or you're not comfortable doing it, a $25-ish bench fee if you take it to a PHYSICAL shop ain't bad.

a) you likely have fans running, so the Power Supply is less likely.
b) You have beeps.  POST (Pre-Operatiing System Test) codes.  Test of whether basic hardware is available to support firing up an Operating System.  If case fans run, you get a light on your keyboard (not mouse, you don''t need a mouse run to LOAD an OS).  You're getting beeps because of memories or video issues.
c) BIOS ties into this (for the technically savvy); but this is a short troubleshoot on boot issues.

YMMV
Dave

[ktreas]

OK Fluffy Bunnies and arpydave, with my daughters help we are going to try the steps you suggested--FINGERS CROSSED--it is one of the RAM sticks--a cheaper fix I know 
And I so not know why there is 5GB of Ram, The young man I bought this from built it with his brother to game on about 2ish years ago.
I will update what happened later, waiting on my daughter to get her hair done--HUGE SIGH--LOL   

[marilyn.monroe]

Dear Marilyn, I worked as a PC technician for over 10 years. I think I know what I am talking about.


1 Long, 3 Short - Conventional/Extended memory failure

You stated you had 5 gb of ram, which is an unusual number, they usually come in even numbers and come in pairs. If you know what the ram looks like, try first to see if any are not seated properly.

If that is your motherboard, the ram is located in the blue and black slots.

If they all seem to be seated properly, remove them one at a time and then try to boot it up.

Also, make sure that before you touch the motherboard, or remove the ram, or do anything, that you unplug the computer, and ground yourself by touching the metal on the case to discharge any static electricity.

Well, at least I motorvated you. What have ye to say about the microsoft update vs blame the virus, black screen of death?

[Baby Hitler]

Well, at least I motorvated you.

If you couldn't tell already, I posted on here way before you, and was trying to assist way before you as well.

So take credit because the sun came up this morning too. Your input had just as much to do with that as it did with this.

Regarding the black screen of death, it happens AFTER your system completes the post test, which hers is not doing. The BSOD happens when starting to load the windows operating system, and will crash if certain files are corrupted or missing.

ktreas, just check again to see if your daughter hears 3 beeps or 2, if it's 2 it might be the video card.