[hl0m4n]

desktop makes three beeps or so from the mobo and then shortly after it turns off... is it b/c it is over heating?

the computer runs fine when im on the internet but as soon as you open a game (WOW) 5 minutes in the computer beeps like 3 times and if you don't exit out of the game the computer just turns off. but if you exit the game your good, can surf the web and it works fine...

[MadDog]

Check the motherboard manual for the beep codes.

[wrestleSBA]

If I remember right on most MOBO's 3 beeps is the RAM code. This would also make sense if it is occuring after you open a more memory intensive application (like a game). Definitely check your motherboards documentation to be sure 3 beeps is their signal for memory. If it is I would start testing your memory and plan to replace at least one stick.

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by MadDog

Check the motherboard manual for the beep codes.

+1

Also, if you are really concerned about the temperatures you can download temperature monitor software for free. I can't remember the name of mine at the moment, but when I get home from work I'll try to remember to look it up and post the name.

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

desktop makes three beeps or so from the mobo and then shortly after it turns off... is it b/c it is over heating?

the computer runs fine when im on the internet but as soon as you open a game (WOW) 5 minutes in the computer beeps like 3 times and if you don't exit out of the game the computer just turns off. but if you exit the game your good, can surf the web and it works fine...

Did you build your own system? Or did you buy a pre-built, dell or alienware etc.

[hl0m4n]

i built the system, it's approx 2-3 years old, and i never had this problem before when playing WOW, etc on it summer or winter, it is in the same position, etc.

but if i exit wow during the beeps the comp stays on and everything else works like internet, word, etc. but games 5 minutes in beeps and if i don't exit the comp just turns off. i checked all the wiring and everything is good.

my ram sticks (corsair) got the led lights and from the looks of it they seem to be working, they have to be right if i can use the comp minus the game? hm... i have no clue on this one.

[UltimateBMW]

Since you built it yourself, your voltage that your running to your ram might be enough to boot it up, but not enough to run the game. Why this would randomly change after 2-3 years of working is beyond me. Did your computer suffer from a somewhat significant crash recently? Like... say... a bios resetting crash?

Definately look up the beep code and let us know. If it is a problem with ram voltage, that is an easy fix. Basically just trial and error. If you put too much voltage through your ram your computer will probably just crash on the start up of a heavy application. So its most likely, if the voltage to the ram is the issue, you are running to low of a voltage and not too high.

[SDTopless]

could be ur power supply. u buy a cheap brand? low wattage? also, which may lead to overheating. it's a simple solution of troubleshooting.

try opening ur case and putting a nice little fan blowing right into it. if u open wow and it restarts, it prolly aint overheating.

[hl0m4n]

i have a 550w lead tech psu. as mentioned the computer has been playing WOW on it winter and summer for 2+ years still in the same spot, setup, etc.

i just tried it again just now and this time during WOW, again 5 minutes in, i got 2 beeps and also another difference was the computer exited WOW and than it shut down meaning i saw the saving personal settings, etc instead of it just shutting down during wow like before.

so what should i do? should i buy ram sticks and try them out or is there something else i can do before that?

[MadDog]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

i have a 550w lead tech psu. as mentioned the computer has been playing WOW on it winter and summer for 2+ years still in the same spot, setup, etc.

i just tried it again just now and this time during WOW, again 5 minutes in, i got 2 beeps and also another difference was the computer exited WOW and than it shut down meaning i saw the saving personal settings, etc instead of it just shutting down during wow like before.

so what should i do? should i buy ram sticks and try them out or is there something else i can do before that?

Have you found out what the beep codes for your mobo are ??

If Windows shut down your system, it may be possible to see what the failure was by looking at the event logs.

Right-click on "My Computer" and select "Manage". In the left pane, expand the Event Viewer selection, and select System. Look for any errors during the time that your system shut down. Also, check the Application event logs for errors. Post any you may find.

edit: You can also prevent your system from automatically restarting by Right-clicking on "My Computer" and selecting "Properties". On the advanced tab, click the button for Startup and Recovery Settings. In the System Failure group box, uncheck "Automatically restart".

[hl0m4n]

^ im trying to find the manual (somewhere in garage in a box lol) but this is windows xp professional. when i right click my computer and go to advanced i don't have the option you are speaking of...

[hl0m4n]

i tried it again but this time i left the WOW screen open (didn't log in). i got 1 beep this time and same it exited the program and windows shut down properly. i looked up the code and i get this:

1 short system RAM Refresh failure.
2 short memory error
3 short same as 2 beeps; follow diagnosis above.

i get 1-2 beeps if i leave it on the wow log in screen and 3 beeps if i am actually playing wow (logged in, etc)

so what is my solution? are my ram sticks basically dead or something?

[MadDog]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

i tried it again but this time i left the WOW screen open (didn't log in). i got 1 beep this time and same it exited the program and windows shut down properly. i looked up the code and i get this:

1 short system RAM Refresh failure.
2 short memory error
3 short same as 2 beeps; follow diagnosis above.

i get 1-2 beeps if i leave it on the wow log in screen and 3 beeps if i am actually playing wow (logged in, etc)

so what is my solution? are my ram sticks basically dead or something?

Did you look for any suspicious events ??

You can do a Google search on a MemTest program. Some are free. That may be able to tell you if you have a RAM problem, as they usually task the memory, looking for failures.

[UltimateBMW]

Well. If you want to know if your ram is straight up dead, just right click my computer > properties > Device Manager and see how much ram it is listing there. If its less than what you know you have, one of your sticks is dead. You can also see this at initial boot-up of your computer when it POSTs, Pre-Operating System Test. You know, when the computer counts up all the ram it finds and does basic system checks on drives and the processor. Sometimes it can flash by kinda fast so just try to watch for it.

However, I've never really heard of ram killing itself while just being used normally. And WoW isn't a very intense application to run, especially just at login. Also, if you were really having a ram issue, it wouldn't gracefully shutdown your computer. You would more likely be getting blue screens of death or just straight shutoff.

So, this leads me to ask a new question. Is it possible that you have picked up some kind of really nasty virus? Pretty rare for a virus to actually take control and shut down your computer but not impossible. I would suggest doing some virus and spy-ware scans before you go buying new replacement parts that you may not even need. Plus, the virus/malware solution would explain why it just suddenly decided to start acting up.

[MadDog]

Originally Posted by UltimateBMW

Well. If you want to know if your ram is straight up dead, just right click my computer > properties > Device Manager and see how much ram it is listing there. If its less than what you know you have, one of your sticks is dead. You can also see this at initial boot-up of your computer when it POSTs, Pre-Operating System Test. You know, when the computer counts up all the ram it finds and does basic system checks on drives and the processor. Sometimes it can flash by kinda fast so just try to watch for it.

However, I've never really heard of ram killing itself while just being used normally. And WoW isn't a very intense application to run, especially just at login. Also, if you were really having a ram issue, it wouldn't gracefully shutdown your computer. You would more likely be getting blue screens of death or just straight shutoff.

So, this leads me to ask a new question. Is it possible that you have picked up some kind of really nasty virus? Pretty rare for a virus to actually take control and shut down your computer but not impossible. I would suggest doing some virus and spy-ware scans before you go buying new replacement parts that you may not even need. Plus, the virus/malware solution would explain why it just suddenly decided to start acting up.

True, but it may be loading into an area of memory that's bad.

Scanning for virii/malware is still a good idea, as is doing a memory test, and checking event logs.

[hl0m4n]

i scanned the pc for virus (f-secure) and nothing. i didn't do a memory test yet but i have recieved the RMA from corsair and instructions. my best bet is to ship ram sticks to them as most likely this is the problem?

[UltimateBMW]

Did you check your POST or device manager yet to see if it is still registering your full amount of ram? While this might not totally remove any suspicion of ram failure, it could at least confirm if one of your sticks is truly burnt out.

[hl0m4n]

i noticed something weird. when you go to my computer-view system information it tells you the cpu speed and how much ram you have.

the cpu speed is correct and so is my ram speed but under the 1gb ram it says "physical address extension". anyone know why this is there or what it means?

[MadDog]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

i noticed something weird. when you go to my computer-view system information it tells you the cpu speed and how much ram you have.

the cpu speed is correct and so is my ram speed but under the 1gb ram it says "physical address extension". anyone know why this is there or what it means?

Mine says the same thing. I wouldn't worry about it.

[hl0m4n]

Originally Posted by MadDog

Mine says the same thing. I wouldn't worry about it.

my other desktop doesn't say that so now that is nothing to worry.

1. virus scan done.
2. check memory on hardware (1gb) done.
3. still beeping and turning off only when on game.
4. can still use for everything else minus gaming.

so is the problem def the ram? i have an rma from corsair to ship it back but i just want to want feedback first. i know the $15 shipping charge won't hurt but i honestly don't know why it's doing this...

[Papa13]

Sounds like your ram to me.

BTW how's the hunter? =)

[MadDog]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

my other desktop doesn't say that so now that is nothing to worry.

1. virus scan done.
2. check memory on hardware (1gb) done.
3. still beeping and turning off only when on game.
4. can still use for everything else minus gaming.

so is the problem def the ram? i have an rma from corsair to ship it back but i just want to want feedback first. i know the $15 shipping charge won't hurt but i honestly don't know why it's doing this...

edit: My desktop computer shows "Physical Address Extension" also.


Question: Did you actually run a memory test, or just see if the correct amount of RAM shows as being present ??