Constant beeping when booting up

[BIGBL]

Constant beeping (non-stop) when I try to boot computer. when it finishes the post I get a message saying windows could not start because <windows root>\system32 ntoskrnl.exe is missing, please reinstall a copy of the above file. I don't care about the missing file because I am going to reinstall windows, what is the source of the constant beeping. It's a dell so everything is onboard.

 

[galli]

I would look at two things, memory and CPU. If you can identify the beep code via dell that will guide you in the right direction.

 

[electronicsfreak]

Look up the motherboard name and model number using belarc advisor then find out what bios its using then look up beep codes for the bios. My past experiences with bios usually a long continue beep either means bad power supply or bad motherboard(as galli says) and yes a bad power supply will still boot to give you a beep. Anyways heres the link for belarc

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Also ntoskrnl.exe is the file that contains the logo images for windows, the ones you see when your loading windows.

 

[linney]

314477 - Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because of a Computer Disk Hardware Configuration

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314477

Some more links on beep codes.

http://www.sourcemagazine.com/articles/viewer.asp?a=598

http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2004/2004-02-16.htm

 

[bcastner]

Take out every card and every RAM module, and reseat them.
Try again.

 

[bcastner]

Take out every card and every RAM module, and reseat them.
Try again.

Be sure the RAM installation is perfect.

 

[schtek]

check your keyboard ensure there is no key depressed....try it with another!!!!

The most overlooked advantage to owning a computer is that if they foul up there's no law against wacking them around a little.