HP

by Matthew Skelly Matthew Skelly No Comments

3 long beeps 4 short beeps

When I walked up to the client’s computer, I noted that it was on and running fine. When I asked what the problem was, she told me “It makes  this horrible loud noise when it starts up!”

“From the speakers or from inside the machine,” I asked.

“It’s coming from the speakers, but like nothing I’ve ever heard!”

I restarted the machine and was greeted by a blank screen and three long tones, followed by four shorter ones. Then the process repeated. After five repetitions of this, the computer started normally.

I began to pull cables, and once I yanked the printer USB the sounds stopped. (Shocking. It’s NEVER the cable!) I tried the keyboard and mouse in that same port to make sure it wasn’t the actual slot, and had no problems. It seems this beep code refers to a malfunction USB device. Just swapping the port may help, otherwise replace the cable or device.

by Matthew Skelly Matthew Skelly No Comments

Laptop Repair!


Computer came in so I could change out the fan – it was wobbling and getting loud. Came off by sliding a couple of clips, no screws. The fan has two screws and one wire, all perfectly accessible without any for the disassembly. LAPTOP MANUFACTURERS TAKE NOTE! THIS IS HOW YOU DESIGN THINGS RIGHT!

Now I’ve got to go out and disassemble an entire computer And break through a bunch of plastic restraints on a metal retaining baffle, just to change out the keyboard on a different unit. Ugh.

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