Computer fails to boot, get 6 long beeps and power button flashes 6 times

[Voyager28]

Upon pressing the power button, 6 long beeps is heard (the power button also flashed 6 times), but the computer failed to boot. After several tries, it did boot up. But later on, it went back to the 6 beeps and not booting. It tried searching online for a clue as to what the problem is, but was unable to find anything relevant to this specific hardware. I found several references to people getting the 6 beeps on HP computers after changing out the video card, but I didn't change the video card (this computer doesn't even have a video card, it relies on the CPU's on-chip video). This computer has served me reliably (outside of one of the front USB ports that died about a year ago), so I would like to fix it if the problem isn't something major. Could anyone help me identify what the problem is and how to fix it? Thanks in advance!

(computer is from late 2012, Core i7-3770, Pegatron Formosa motherboard, unknown BIOS)

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The onboard video chip has probably failed and since your PC came with Wndows 8, secure boot is probably enabled.

That means you can't simply add a graphics card because secure boot will reject it, and you can't disable secure boot because your PC has no display.

You would have to replace the motherboard and that comes with its own set of issues such as the cost and then having to buy a new license for Windows unless you get a motherboard with the embedded W8 product key.

These are the troubleshooting steps...

6  Pre-video graphics error.

Red Power LED flashes six times, once every second, followed by a two second pause.

Beeps stop after fifth iteration but LEDs continue until problem is solved.

For systems with a graphics card:
1. Reseat the graphics card.
2. Replace the graphics card.
3. Replace the system board.

For systems with integrated graphics, replace the
system board.

I think it is time to retire your PC.

[Voyager28]

Hello Paul,

Thank you for the quick response. I don't remember seeing the LED continuing to flash after the beeping stopped, so I tried powering on the computer again. It beeped the 6 times, then proceeded to boot up normally! (But no LED flashing). Of course after shutting down and trying to boot again, something different happened. I got the 6 beeps, and the 6 flashes, but after the 6 beeps, no more LED flashing and it did not boot. So, the symptoms seem to vary.

You're right, this computer has reached retirement age. Too bad, because it has served me well and continued to up until now.

Thanks for your help and advice.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

If you can get it to work again, go into the BIOS, disable secure boot, and then if you want to toss a little money at it, you can install a cheap but used and tested Radeon HD 6450 graphics card in the PCIe x16 slot and see if that permanently fixes the problem.  Should cost you less than $25.00.  The Dell-branded models would work fine.  I have a couple of them in two of my HP desktops.  Just make sure you get one with the standard size mounting bracket.

amd radeon hd 6450 | eBay

See this link for the BIOS settings to change...

HP Desktop PCs - Computer Does not Start After Installing a Video Card (Windows 10, 😎 | HP® Custome...

[Voyager28]

Hi Paul,

I'm very tempted to try the Radeon HD 6450 card. They are very reasonably priced on ebay. I do have one question before I try this, though. Since the "graphics card" function is on the i7-3770 processor chip, does that mean the the 3770 is defective? (Or perhaps only the graphics functions are bad and the rest of the CPU is OK? I mean, when I can get it to boot, everything seems to work fine.) If the CPU is indeed 'bad'/not-100%-working, what are the chances that adding the graphics card would 'fix' the no-boot issues?

One more question (sorry for all the questions): do I need to do something to tell the system to disable the on-board graphics and use the Radeon HD 6450 card instead? What is the key to press to enter the BIOS setup: ESC, F10, F12, or Delete?

Regards,

Francis

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Good morning, Francis:

There is an actual Intel graphics chip on the motherboard under a square aluminum heat sink.

If you look at the picture of your PC's motherboard, you can see the square silver colored heat sink covering the Intel graphics chip on the bottom right center of the picture.

That is what's probably going out, not the processor itself.

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Motherboard Specifications, IPMMB-FM (Formosa) | HP® Customer Support

The key is to be able to get into the BIOS and disable secure boot, before you install the card, because the HD 6450 was not a supported graphics card in your PC.

Models that came with graphics cards, had a proprietary HP graphics card that secure boot recognized.

After you install the graphics card, the BIOS will automatically switch to the Radeon HD graphics adapter.

Don't forget to connect your video cable to the new card. 

I once made that mistake, forgot to move the video cable to the card, and was wondering why I had no display.

To get into the BIOS, immediately after you turn on or restart the PC, press/tap the ESC key to get the menu of options.

Select the F10 Setup option and press the Enter key.

Then you can get into the BIOS.

Never re-enable secure boot, or the PC will reject the AMD graphics card, and give you the 6-beeps, and you will have to remove the card, and hope you can get into the BIOS to disable secure boot again.

Cheers,

Paul

[Voyager28]

Hi Paul,

You mentioned that I should look for a Radeon HD 6450 with a standard sized mounting bracket. It's hard to tell from the photos on ebay, but they all seem to be larger than the ones on my system. How can I tell from the listing? Are there some HD 6450's with standard sized brackets and others with non-standard size brackets? Does this, for example have the standard sized mounting bracket? 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334272449145?epid=9013059167&hash=item4dd430ca79%3Ag%3AdG4AAOSwXS1hsl7G&LH_...

With your helpful advice, I'm encouraged to give this a try. I opened up my case and found the heat sink you mentioned with the graphics chip underneath. Only thing is, so far I have not been able to get it to boot this morning. Once I do, I will enter the BIOS and disable secure boot.

Thanks again!

Francis

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Francis:

The link you posted is a graphics card for a slim tower PC, and that metal mounting bracket is too short.

If this is your PC, then you need a card like this one...see below the first link...

HP H8-1420t Review Part 1: Specs - YouTube

Cheapest one I could find.

AMD C264 RADEON HD6450 1GB DDR3 DVI DP Video Card DisplayPort | eBay

However, I prefer the cards with the fanless heat sinks.  They are quiet and have no fan to go bad on you.

AMD ATI Video Card 109-C26457-00 ATI-102-C26405(B) - 1108 | eBay

Try to find sellers with a better % of positive feedback though.

I usually won't buy from anyone unless they have a 99% or better rating.

The links I posted are for reference regarding the types of cards available and the mounting bracket size.

If you find another one and want to run it by me before you buy it, please feel free to do so.

[Voyager28]

Hi Paul,

Happy New Year!

Yes, my computer looks like the one reviewed in the YouTube link you provided. I bought my ENVY H8-1420t from Costco. My computer doesn't have the Beats audio included in the system in the YouTube video, and did not come with a separate graphics card (possibly an add-on upgrade by the YouTube poster?), but otherwise I think it is the same computer.

Thank you for the additional link to a graphics card with the correct mounting bracket (and the fanless heat sink). In addition to a seller with a high rating I also look for Free Returns. This not only tells me the seller has confidence that what he sells is in working condition, but in the event something is wrong, return shipping is paid for by the seller. I'm still searching for something that meets mounting bracket/fanless heat sink/high ratings/free returns. If you don't mind, when I find one, I hope I can run it by you first.

Regards,

Francis

[Voyager28]

Paul,

I was unable to find a Radeon HD 6450 card with the standard height bracket/fanless heat sink/high ratings at a reasonable price.

As far as I know, all the PCs I've ever owned (including this H8-1420t) had the same full height mounting bracket. I wasn't even aware that there also existed a low profile mounting bracket.

What do you think of this one, will this work?:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294448116843?hash=item448e79b46b%3Ag%3A%7EuQAAOSwuulhrYd2&LH_BIN=1&LH_FR=1

It is not fanless, it looks like it has the full height bracket, seller has 99.2% rating, free shipping and free returns and only $9.99. Or do you think I should go for the fanless one you linked (no free returns, seller has 95.4% rating, though 🙂 ?

Regards,

Francis