I have a system that I built about 3 years ago. This November, it started giving me three beeps when booting (AMI BIOS); this only happened sometimes, and a reboot would usually fix the problem. I tried reseating almost everything, but the problem only happened more frequently as time passed.

I have replaced the power supply, the memory, the video card, and removed all peripherals, but I still can't find the problem. In fact, the computer won't even beep now; no POST, no video, nothing but power to fans (and peripherals when they are hooked up). In fact, the only way I can make the system boot is to reset the CMOS with the JBAT jumper.

Strangely, it boots just fine if I reset the CMOS, multiple times even. What makes me think that the problem is the BIOS is that the system won't boot when I save the BIOS settings--even if I don't change any values. The battery is at 3.3V, so I don't think that it is the problem.

Does anyone have some suggestions? I've never had a problem like this before.

um, I had something similar, only it was my north-bridge fan that went out, still looking for a replacement for it.

Posted by mazatec I have a system that I built about 3 years ago. This November, it started giving me three beeps when booting (AMI BIOS); this only happened sometimes, and a reboot would usually fix the problem. I tried reseating almost everything, but the problem only happened more frequently as time passed.

AMI (American Megatrends') BIOS
three beeps = Base 64K RAM failure*

*"There was a problem with accessing the first 64Kb of memory. Swap out each memory stick to try and see if you can bypass the problem. Try swapping between various slots too. This error occurs if the motherboard is also failing so if none of your RAM works then the motherboard might be at fault."
http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/faqs/kb/12,13.html

Why didn't you just google it?
http://justfucking...i+post+three+beeps
http://justfucking...se+64K+RAM+failure

If you haven't already you may also want to try reseating the processor, but with the bios RAM code I'd start there as well.

I did google it, and I have reseated and replaced the RAM more than once with known good sticks that have worked in this machine in the past. As of now there is only a single stick, also a known good stick.

Edit: also, as I said before, it doesn't even beep anymore.

I'll try reseating the processor; based on other people's suggestions, I'm going to replace the battery and reflash the BIOS if nothing else works. After that it's time to buy a new motherboard...