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NEED HELP!!

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by mddddd

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I have a serious problem. My freind's computer is not working at all. Its a Sony VAIO Pentium 2 333mhz MicroTower. Here's what I have concluded so far: the floppy drive works, the CD drive works, and the hard drive is not damaged (I swapped the harddrive with a working one to make sure it works). Despite all this, the computer does not boot at all. Whenever its turned on, I get a beep code like this: 4, 4, 2, 4 and there is no connection with the monitor. Originally, I thought it was the videocard, but there is no video card since the AGP is built into the motherboard. I've tried all the Sony support FAQ's but nothing helped me. I also checked the BIOS manufacturer to see if there was a description of the beep code, but there wasn't anything there either. I am utterly lost. If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated.

22 replies

by zlitocook

Try disabling the on board video and using a video card. It sounds like it that or the memory. I have worked on a lot of computers like that. I ether had to reseat the card or use another.

by mddddd

Hmmm.... Two problems..
First, I have no idea how to disable it. I don't know the right jumpers. Secondly, a new video card won't work because all the PCI slots are used up, and there is no AGP slot.

by dmiles

If troubleshooting the memory and video card does not yield any solutions with the system then you will need to consider the problem to be the motherboard.

by mddddd

I swaped the memory modules to see if that would do anything, but nothing changed.

by mddddd

Hmm..you think its the motherboard? I never really suspected that. The inside of the computer was never touched since the day he got it in 1998. He told me that he was on the internet, and the computer froze. So he powered it down and when he went to restart it, thats when it stopped working. I've even tried booting it from boot disks and recovery CDs, but nothing happens.

by makbar

DEAR FRIEND,
THERE ARE MANY POSSIBILITIES.THE RAM MIGHT GOT PROBLEM. THE DISPLAY CARD MIGHT GOT PROBLEM, TOO AS DISPALY CHIP IS ONBOARD, YOU HAVE TO DISABLE IT BY JUMPER SETTING BEFORE INSTALL A NEW DISPLAY CARD.AND ARE THE IDE CABLE IS WELL ATTACHED AND ARE THE IDE PRIORITY IN PROPER ORDER.
COULD YOU PLS TELL US HOW THIS ALL HAPPENED.

by caquino3759

Just an idea, is the system possibly overclocked? If so try holding down the insert key at bootup, this resets some mobos to a bootable state.
Good Luck!
Chris!

by caquino3759

Also check the jumper settings on the mobo for the CPU to make sure they are correct! And try resetting the CMOS jumper!

by jimandkathy

To troubleshoot this problem make the problem simpler. Remove all cards from the system. If problem stops a card is the problem. Net remove the IDE and floppy cables, if problem stops find which IDE device or floppy was the cause. Install a PCI video card. If the problem stops the video chip on the motherboard is the problem. Swap the RAM or use it in another computer if that does not pin point the problem the issue must be the motherboard.

by ballkw

You may want to check to see if the modem is onboard or a separate card. I have seen this problem before when a system beeps an error code and goes no further and the modem is the cause due
to taking a surge from the phone line. Hope this helps.

by netmare

I'm not sure if this will help or that you want to hear this, but the 4 beeps may be an indicator that something is malfunctioning on your motherboard, the 2 beeps may be implying something is wrong with your memory modules.(i.e. a need to reseat).Sounds like you've tried everything. If theres a problem with the motherboard like the 4 beeps may be indicating then anything short of replacing the mobo will be a waste of your time.

by Member 33712138

Right then. Rather than messing with individual components, lets get it back to basic's so it at least boots. Do the following:

Totally disconect (power + data cables) the HD/s, floppy and CD ROM
Disconnect all external devices excpt keboard, VGA cable & power.
Remove all internal add-on boards - PCI & ISA
Leave just one memory module in the motherboard, ideally the newest if applicable
Check all jumpers are set corretly. You can make the CPU run a little slower if you think this may help
Reset the BIOS

If it doesn't boot then either the CPU or motherboard is knackered (i assumed you have tried new memory and power supply). Try another CPU if you can borrow one, but if its doing the same then the motherboard has denfinatley had it.

If this does actually make it boot up then you will have to replace the hardware items one-by-one to find out which is causeing the problem.

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