Computer keeps rebooting

[kenny_hwang]

For MrDarn there are 3 options on the splash screen. They are Boot Menu (Esc), Setup (F1), and System Recovery (F10). Yes, F10 is system recovery but when I press it nothing comes up. Also F1 is the Bios Setup. I have all the recovery disk for my computer and I don't care if I completely reinstall my OS too.

For arraknid, at startup I hear 3 short beeps, a pause, 3 more beeps and then my computer either reboots or says "No hard drive found. PC Recovery cannot be continued! Press any key to continue."

Thanks for both of your help.

[arraknid]

Check out your RAM. If you have more than one stick installed, try with just one, then the other.

[kenny_hwang]

Okay. Arraknid, I tried using my computer with only one ram stick with each and my computer was still messed up.

[MrDarn]

Ok, lets try and rule out the ram problem.

Completly remove all of the ram from the machine, and then try to boot.

Of course, we know it wont, what i am interested in is the beep.

Is the sequence different when all the ram is removed? or is it the same?

It may be mentioned somewhere, but can you confirm if this is an XP machine or Vista?

[kenny_hwang]

Okay MrDarn. I took the ram from my PC and when I turned it on, I heard 2 long beeps, then the 3 short ones, then some more long beeps. I also have Windows XP.

[MrDarn]

So, the beeps are different when the ram is completly removed.... am i right?

Which means the beeps are for something else...

We need to find out what the beeps you are hearing are refering too.

Can you describe the beeps again, as clear as you can, when the ram is inserted please?

Also,if there is any brand-names visible during bootup, that may help, such as 'award' or 'energy-star', please include those in your next post.

Whilst your inside the machine, just check the cables to your harddrive are secure, by removing and replacing them one by one, then remove the end that connects to the motherboard and replace... (its a hunch i'm playing).

then try and reboot. any change?

[kenny_hwang]

Yes, the beeps are different when the ram is completely removed. Umm, when I boot my computer up with the ram inserted I hear three short beeps, a long pause, another three short beeps and then my computer reboots. During bootup the only brand-name I see is HP. And yes, I have already checked the cables inside my computer.

[MrDarn]

The only thing i can find for that sequence of beeps, that does not point to ram, is a keyboard error.

Either the keyboard is not plugged in, is faulty or theres something wrong with the controller on the motherboard.

After checking the keyboard connection physically, is there another keyboard you could try to rule this out?

Perhaps arraknid has other ideas in light of the new info... as my advice would be taking it to a shop now

[arraknid]

Without knowing the supplier of the installed BIOS, interpreting beep codes is difficult. All HP/Compaq machines use a series of beeps but also blinking LEDS on the keyboard. 3 beeps on their own is always memory related and signifies that the first 64k of memory required to run POST isn't available. With the RAM in place, are you able to get into BIOS using F1?

There are no published explanations for the secondary beeps you hear, so only HP know what they refer to. That usually means hardware failure which, on a laptop with limited removable parts, is usually terminal. You could try calling HP and asking what they mean, but it's doubtful they'll tell you.

As MrDarn suggests, without suitable info you'll have to consult a technician who can run more specific tests.

In case your machine supports blink error codes, this may help. It's for a Presario, but if you have another model, try Google.