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Hi,
I thought I'd post here as a last ditch effort to see if anyone can help me figure out what's wrong with my pc before I take it in to get it repaired this weekend.
2 days ago, my pc was working fine. I was just playing games and listening to music and then my pc just randomly turns itself off. I thought it just overheat or had a memory dump which has happened before, but this time my pc wouldnt turn back on. Now whenever I try to turn it on, it just gives off 6 short beeps and then repeats. I did some research and apparently 6 short beeps means: "Keyboard controller Gate A20 error" (http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm) I tried using different keyboards and nothing changes, so I don't think it has anything to do with a keyboard problem. I asked my friend for help and he told me to try turning on the pc with just one ram in instead of my usual 4. I did so and tried each ram individually and when I don't have all the ram in, I get 2 short beeps and then it repeats. I even tried using just 2 ram in slots 1 and 3 and get the same 2 short beeps. I don't know exactly what it means, but I don't think I need to get new ram. I recently got a new power supply, but I don't think it has any thing to do with it. I've also cleaned out as much dust as possible.
My specs are:
Dell Studio XPS 8100 Desktop
Windows 7 OS
Intel Core i7-860 Processor (8MB Cache, 2.80 GHz)
Radeon HD4870 Graphics Card
8GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz (4 DIMMs)
I don't have my old graphics card so I don't have any extra graphics cards to replace my current one to see if its a graphics card problem, but if the problem is something like replacing a graphics card or ram, then I can do that on my own. My main worry is that the problem is my motherboard or processor where in that case I don't have the ability to replace or fix on my own and would definitely have to go bring it in to a pc repair shop to get it fixed.
Can anyone help me shed some light on my problem. I'm currently using my old laptop and want to get my desktop fixed asap especially since MLG is this weekend and I want to watch it using my good pc. I also would like to try and avoid having to get it repaired if possible. If I can't figure out how to fix this by Friday evening then I believe I will just have an expert take a look at it.
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Even though you say it's not a PSU issue, I had a similar problem, and it turned out to be my PSU. I had a 1kW OCZ PSU, it was 6 years old and it just slowly died on me, causing more and more frequent shut-downs until one day it just wouldn't turn on, giving me several beeps, and then it wouldn't even budge after a few days. Pressing the power button didn't do ANYTHING. I took it into a local shop and he plugged a 600W PSU into it and it booted right up. Try looking up the POST beep codes for your motherboard specifically.
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Well you're doing fine, you can safely rule out the RAM & CPU. So you're now left with graphics card, PSU, connections and finally the mobo. Be sure to drain all power, reset the CMOS and re-seat the RAM when you test each component.
According to my experience most keyboard controller problem often end up changing the mobo, it seems most OEM mobo is not up to par compared to retail boards. Good luck.
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@zachmeister
i just got a new power supply about 2 weeks ago because my old power supply kept causing my pc to turn off when trying to play diablo 3.my new power supply is Antec neo eco 620c 620W. everythings been running well since i put it in.
i also think i found the beep codes for my motherboard but i dont know how to translate 6 beeps into their table which uses three numbers (#-#-#) (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dsleest/codemess.htm#post_beep_codes)
@warsame yes, i mentioned above that i cleared out the dust
On June 08 2012 13:25 Everuler wrote:
Well you're doing fine, you can safely rule out the RAM & CPU. So you're now left with graphics card, PSU, connections and finally the mobo. Be sure to drain all power, reset the CMOS and re-seat the RAM when you test each component.
According to my experience most keyboard controller problem often end up changing the mobo, it seems most OEM mobo is not up to par compared to retail boards. Good luck.
ive checked my connections many times and my pc was in use and is stationary at the time of it shutting down so i don't think thats it. I don't know what a mobo is or what resetting CMOS mean. I'll try looking it up. thanks
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On June 08 2012 13:27 s2pid_loser wrote:@zachmeister i just got a new power supply about 2 weeks ago because my old power supply kept causing my pc to turn off when trying to play diablo 3.my new power supply is Antec neo eco 620c 620W. everythings been running well since i put it in. i also think i found the beep codes for my motherboard but i dont know how to translate 6 beeps into their table which uses three numbers (#-#-#) (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dsleest/codemess.htm#post_beep_codes) @warsame yes, i mentioned above that i cleared out the dust Show nested quote +On June 08 2012 13:25 Everuler wrote:
Well you're doing fine, you can safely rule out the RAM & CPU. So you're now left with graphics card, PSU, connections and finally the mobo. Be sure to drain all power, reset the CMOS and re-seat the RAM when you test each component.
According to my experience most keyboard controller problem often end up changing the mobo, it seems most OEM mobo is not up to par compared to retail boards. Good luck. ive checked my connections many times and my pc was in use and is stationary at the time of it shutting down so i don't think thats it. I don't know what a mobo is or what resetting CMOS mean. I'll try looking it up. thanks
Sorry, I read your post 3 or 4 times and somehow skipped that line every single time...
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On June 08 2012 13:27 s2pid_loser wrote:
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(http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dsleest/codemess.htm#post_beep_codes)
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That link will take you to the Dell Dimension 8100 manual. You're looking for the Dell Studio XPS 8100 Setup Guide - Page 33.
Beep code - Possible Problem
Six - Video card or chip failure
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On June 08 2012 14:20 VieiraN wrote:Show nested quote +On June 08 2012 13:27 s2pid_loser wrote:
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(http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dsleest/codemess.htm#post_beep_codes)
... That link will take you to the Dell Dimension 8100 manual. You're looking for the Dell Studio XPS 8100 Setup Guide - Page 33.
thanks! just what i was looking for.
im starting to think it might be a graphics card problem
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the number of beeps will tell you what the issue is, a quick google search turned up that 6 beeps on dell machines usually means video card malfunction. If you have a back up video card or an onboard back video card try it and see if it fixes your issue.
edit: someone already figured this out my bad.
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i just tried powering on my pc after i removed my current graphics card and used the onboard back video card and my pc still doesnt turn on and i still get the 6 beeps. so now i have no idea whats the problem or what to do.
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On June 09 2012 13:57 s2pid_loser wrote:
i just tried powering on my pc after i removed my current graphics card and used the onboard back video card and my pc still doesnt turn on and i still get the 6 beeps. so now i have no idea whats the problem or what to do.
Your processor doesn't support integrated graphics.
You should try a different graphics card and check your PSU.
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i just got a new power supply about 2 weeks ago because my old power supply kept causing my pc to turn off when trying to play diablo 3.my new power supply is Antec neo eco 620c 620W. everythings been running well since i put it in.
Its possible too that there is a problem with the new power supply. In my experience it is not uncommon for a new power supply to fail within the first few weeks after install. You might want to try your old power supply again. A sudden PC shutdown like you described is another indicator that it may be the new power supply.
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i would have to buy a new graphics card and/or power supply to test each of them out
i dont have an extra graphics card and my previous power supply got thrown out -_-
actually, the reason i couldnt play diablo 3 earlier wasnt because of the power supply, it was cause my graphics card wasnt updated, and when i updated it i could actually play it so i mightve not needed that new power supply to begin with. not sure if its important just wanted to clarify it
is there any other way to test to see if the problem is the graphics card or power supply without having to use a different one to test to see?
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I had the exact same problem a few weeks ago, turned out my gtx295 broke. Six beeps at start up one day. Got a new gtx680 and the thing works beautifully, no problems whatsoever.
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first off, i'd like to thank eveyone whos post and offered to help me with my situation. i really appreciate it
i think my next choice of action will be going to bestbuy tomorrow
i plan to go pick up a nvidia gtx 560 ti graphics card. its a little higher on the gpu hierarchy chart compared to my current radeon hd 4870 and its a bit pricey at 270, but according to the specs it should work and i'll test to see if its my graphics card issue
and if it doesnt work, i'll probably just return it and then order a power supply from newegg to test that out
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On June 10 2012 15:14 s2pid_loser wrote:
first off, i'd like to thank eveyone whos post and offered to help me with my situation. i really appreciate it
i think my next choice of action will be going to bestbuy tomorrow
i plan to go pick up a nvidia gtx 560 ti graphics card. its a little higher on the gpu hierarchy chart compared to my current radeon hd 4870 and its a bit pricey at 270, but according to the specs it should work and i'll test to see if its my graphics card issue
and if it doesnt work, i'll probably just return it and then order a power supply from newegg to test that out
At $270 you're getting completely ripped off. It's worth ~$200 or less tops now.
7850 is $250 from our favourite expensive online retailer newegg, so there should be decent stores (read: not best buy) somewhere in the US where you can pick up a 7850 for less than $270. 560ti for $270 should be considered theft...
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well i'll use it to test to see if i just need a new graphics card to solve my problem and if thats the case i can just return the graphics card and then get a good one at a good price somewhere online
but i am quite anxious to get my desktop back up and running because using my old laptop right now is very troublesome and a pain.
its been very annoying watching mlg today
EDIT:
Problem Resolved. It turns out I'm a moron. My radeon hd 4870 requires 2 - 6 pin connections from my power supply and I think I only plugged in 1 after I put in my new power supply the week before. What I don't get is how did my pc manage to turn and run for a whole week without any problems until now.
Now I'm going to return the new graphics card I just bought from bestbuy and I probably plan to still get a new graphics card, just for a better cost online
once again, I'd like to thank everyone who offered their knowledge and help with my situation. i really appreciate it
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EPT
