4 Quick Beeps Every 60 Seconds

Danxyeal

New Member
Messages
5
I am having this problem: Windows 8, Dell Optiplex 980, i5, 8g ram, etc.

There is... 4 Quick Beeps Every 60 Seconds - and I timed it. And I attached a WAV file for your listening pleasure.

Does anyone have any idea what that is?
 

Attachments

  • System-Beeps-4-Times-Per-Minute.wav
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Build in
    Sound Card
    RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung '27
    Screen Resolution
    HD
    Hard Drives
    2*HDD
    Keyboard
    Microsft 3000
    Mouse
    Microsft 3000
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Forefront

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Yes, I see, but I think that it's not a message from the BIOS because it doesn't occur while I'm in the BIOS. It only starts while I am working in Windows. It doesn't begin immediately, but it starts shortly after the desktop loads and continues to beep 4 consecutive times quickly every 60seconds. Sorry for not being clearer in my initial post.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Build in
    Sound Card
    RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung '27
    Screen Resolution
    HD
    Hard Drives
    2*HDD
    Keyboard
    Microsft 3000
    Mouse
    Microsft 3000
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Forefront
I am having this problem: Windows 8, Dell Optiplex 980, i5, 8g ram, etc.

There is... 4 Quick Beeps Every 60 Seconds - and I timed it. And I attached a WAV file for your listening pleasure.

Does anyone have any idea what that is?

That particular error code means your Ram may not be inserted properly, or bad. Check your sticks and make sure they are put in properly. Ground yourself before you touch them, take them out, and blow on them or clean the contacts with contact cleaner.

4 Beeps in Dell always equals RAM error. Either bad or not seated right. I've got 2 Dells here and I have had dozens of Dell PCs over the years. 4 beeps = Ram, and its an easy fix take it out and clean it. If that dont do it, bring them to your Local Computer Repair shop and pay them to test the stick(s). They may have gone bad.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Hello Dan, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You might double check through the items recommended at that link below to see if one may be the issue. I'd check for improperly seated or loose RAM first, then if you may have a dead fan. :)

POST troubleshooting steps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
How many times does it repeat the 4 beeps?

Here are the beep codes, try to find the code that matches your BEEP code.

Also pay attention to the DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS, they will be on the back of the puter. Your answer is a combination of BEEP CODES and Diag Lights.

Before you KliK this link, install a PDF reader:

ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-prod...desktop/optiplex-980_service manual_en-us.pdf

Shawn, i've got the diag manual for his exact model there, his answer is in that link. I'm practically a Dell Pro, I know more about Dells than Dell does. So I really need to know what his Diag lights are doing, and any generic POST code tutorial may not apply to his problem, ya gotta find the Diag sheet for the machine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Big Thanks for the Advice

Hey Guys, thanks!

I haven't noticed any performance problems with RAM but i will definitely try cleaning and reinserting them tomorrow. Cheers.

Oh in answer to question how many times does it beep, well it doesn't seem to stop, it keeps beeping every 60 seconds until I log off or shutdown. It's been a constant thing for weeks. If it's a hardware issue, shouldn't it still beep while browsing the bios or during restart? It only beeps while the normal Windows 8 os is running. That's why I came here, I thought it was Windows trying to tell me something.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Build in
    Sound Card
    RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung '27
    Screen Resolution
    HD
    Hard Drives
    2*HDD
    Keyboard
    Microsft 3000
    Mouse
    Microsft 3000
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Forefront
Ok, it boots, another piece in the puzzle. Have you noticed you don't have as much ram? You are supposed to have what, 8 Gig, is it all there, check it. How many sticks? But check the Diag Lights in the back too.

You should also, burn your Dell Diags Boot CD, it should be in your DELL folder under DRIVERS. If not, download it from DELL, use the Auto-Detect System to find your machine, it will give you exact drivers. Download the Dell Diagnostics CD and burn it. Stick it in the drive and BOOT to it.

Then post your results here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Oh Yah - I checked a few other sources, and 4 short beeps always indicates a System Timer Failure. Has the computer been acting buggy? Don't know if a timer can be fixed!

So, download the Dell Diag Disk, boot to it and get those results posted asap.

Finally, look at the four lights on the back - If the NUMBER 3 Light is on, take your CPU out and put it back in. Is it wise to spray contact cleaner into the socket? If so do that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
You all rock! I am going to do that in about 10 hours when I go back to work. Cheers
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Build in
    Sound Card
    RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung '27
    Screen Resolution
    HD
    Hard Drives
    2*HDD
    Keyboard
    Microsft 3000
    Mouse
    Microsft 3000
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Forefront
Yah, get the disk ready, yo can download it from the DELL page for the system and it should be common for all permutations of that machine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Thanks XweAponX,

From what I've gathered, I haven't been clear enough, so here are some important troubleshoots I've done:
  • I don't see any lights on the back flashing.
  • If I mute the sound in Windows, the beep also stops, as well as it goes through to speakers if I plug them in.
  • I ran the onboard diag that you get from F12 during bootup it told me this: Error code 0152 optical drive 0 - incorrect status: 32 No additional sense information
  • Following the onboard diag. it beeped melodically.
  • Dell Diag CD passed everything - Memory, system is still going, it's been 3 hours. During these tests, the beep is not hurt at all, nor during startup or any other environment except in Windows.
RAM looked fine in the Computer properties window.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Build in
    Sound Card
    RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung '27
    Screen Resolution
    HD
    Hard Drives
    2*HDD
    Keyboard
    Microsft 3000
    Mouse
    Microsft 3000
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Forefront
To the best of my knowledge the BIOS beep codes do not go though your external speakers. It only goes though the small speaker mounted on or connected to the motherboard. It sounds like there is some type or system monitoring program that is generating those beeps. Some utility that monitors temps etc. That's my guess anyway.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Alpha - Sometimes DELL computers send the Motherboard Speaker Beeps into the system Audio bus. He's using an Optiplex, I have a Precision 370 workstation, and all audio comes out of a speaker inside of the Box, whether it is Motherboard Beeps codes or OS Audio. When I have my Fostex 6301 personal monitors plugged in there, all Beeps come out of them as well, boot beeps, error beeps, etc.

The Optical Drive error he found, MAY be the cause of the beeps.

Go to this link, and enter the exact error into the search box:

https://www5.nohold.net/Dell/Loginr.aspx?pid=3&ruleid=2591&login=1

I entered your error and I got this:

https://www5.nohold.net/Dell/Loginr.aspx?pid=3&ruleid=2591&login=1

So it is possibly a Bad Optical Drive. What kind of Drive is it?

Also, about your Diag Lights on the back - If all four are lit up GREEN after the system is booted, then there is nothing wrong with the Motherboard. That's why I am starting to think these Beeps may be in relation to some hardware on the Board, Optical drive is the one with the Pre Boot Assessment error, so that's what I would check out
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
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