I have a problem with my PC, it’s nothing really crucial I think, because it’s been that way for a long time. Here’s what’s happening: sometimes when I startup the PC it stops on the first screen (where it reads RAM, proc etc.) and doesn’t go on with the startup. Sometimes the motherboard starts playing beep sounds too. If I just reboot it doesn’t help. I have to open the PC’s box and touch (yeah, touch or move a little) the RAM, then I try to startup the PC again and it works. Then, when I come to Windows there’s sometimes a weird gradient colour in the right side of the monitor. If so, I shut down the PC and start it up after a few minutes and everything is OK again.
What could be the reason for this? RAM, graphic card? Otherwise the PC runs perfectly, no problems at all.
Try removing the power, taking out the RAM and cleaning the contacts with a clean pencil eraser. Reseat.
Does the motherboard have onboard graphics or an add-in card?
If it’s an add-in card, you might be able to clean them as well.
Quite possibly, it may be the motherboard starting to fail (a buddy of mine had a similar problem ever since he built his computer, and it finally failed about 2 years later).
Sometimes the motherboard starts playing beep sounds too.
Those beep sounds can be important and help troubleshoot the problem as well.
You need to state what motherboard model # you’re using, and if you can, describe the beep codes that it’s giving you (short-long-short-pause-short-short-short or whatever).
I have no idea all I do is buy top quality hardware, an old friend of mind build my computer for me what I've been told never buy used hardware.
Yeah, I do too, but it doesn’t mean it can’t fail. Seriously though, your comments are not helping anything other than telling the OP to go buy something more expensive or higher quality. That doesn’t help his problem.
It would appear that yr ram is faulty. Do you have means to test the ram, or perhaps a replacement ram module that will give you some idea of performance of the ram stick currently in use. I have Ubuntu CD that has an excellent memory test as one of its features. However, because the CD is sufficient for my needs, I am not so sure as to where next you could go to find a reliable memory testing service. But others on the forum may be able to help in this regard.
Hi scythe
I think the beeps will show the ram needs check up, and will be faulty unless as you say tidy up and reseat the ram stick is all that is needed. Or likewise, if a graphics card in use, it could be the card. Again, a replacement card would help sort the issue.
First a big thanks to all of you for your help! I have no BSODs at all, none. RAM was replaced 2 years ago and I think it’s fine. Maybe I should really do some cleaning, since the PC is now 5 years old. The graphic card is the add-in version. I think that this problems started when I replaced the network adapter card with and old one (12 years old 3 COM card), but I’m not sure. Anyway, again - thank you!
Maybe I should really do some cleaning, since the PC is now 5 years old.
I hope you mean physically cleaning. Software cleaning wouldn't help a darn thing for errors at POST.
If you mean physically cleaning, it’s definitely a good idea, especially since it’s been 5 years. I’ve suggested in another post to use a small shop/vac type vacuum with a 1/4" adapter, and plug it into the exhaust port. It works better than a can of air because it doesn’t get cold, and lasts for as long as the vacuum does.
Again, reseat that RAM and Vid card after cleaning the contacts. Hopefully it works, otherwise I’d still say that it’s a failing MOBO.
I would really recommend scythe’s suggestion of performing a memory scan with the tools he’s mentioned. That would be a good place to start along with cleaning the contacts.
I also once knew of a wise old computer tech that would make service calls for people that had similar problems with their computers.
He would take a $100 dollar bill out of his pocket and rub the contacts of the stick of memory to clean them. He jokingly said that he used a $100 bill to justify the bill that he would give to the client after putting the memory back into the computer…
It always fixed it right up. I don’t suggest you do that though, a pencil eraser usually does the trick. You never know what could be on a $100 bill… ;D
