My desktop randomly turned the screen black, and the alarm is going off constantly.

[Majed191]

My desktop randomly turned the screen black, and the alarm is going off constantly. It will not let me do anything on the screen; it is just black. I have tried turning off and on and unplugging and re-plugging, and as soon as I turn it on, the beeping begins

I feel the exhaust-vents, to see if I feel warm air being forced out of my computer, by the fan inside the computer. And yes, there is warm air being forced out, and I can hear the inside fan

What should I do now?

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Majed191,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

Thanks for sharing those details — I know how alarming this situation can be, especially with the persistent black screen and beeping. Based on your description, this sounds like a hardware-level issue, likely related to memory (RAM), display, or the motherboard. The beeping is the system's way of signalling an error during startup (a BIOS beep code).
 

Here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow to help identify and possibly resolve the issue:
 

Step 1: Count the Beep Pattern

• When you turn the PC on, count how many beeps you hear and whether they are long, short, or in a repeating pattern.
• This pattern corresponds to a BIOS error code that can help pinpoint the failing component (e.g., RAM, display, CPU).

If you can note the pattern, I can help decode it for you.

Step 2: Perform a Basic Hardware Reset

1. Power off the PC completely and unplug it from the wall.
2. Hold down the power button for 15 seconds to drain residual power.
3. Open the back panel (if you’re comfortable doing this; otherwise, skip to Step 5).
4. Carefully re-seat the memory module (RAM):
   • Remove it and firmly place it back in its slot.
   • If there are two sticks, try booting with one at a time to isolate a bad module.
5. Reconnect the power and turn the PC back on.

Step 3: Try an External Display (if possible)

• Connect an external monitor to the All-in-One’s HDMI out port (if available).
• This can help determine whether the screen is at fault or the internal components.

Step 4: Clear CMOS (Optional, Advanced)

If re-seating RAM doesn't help and you're comfortable with hardware:

1. Power off and unplug the system.
2. Look for a small CMOS battery (like a watch battery) on the motherboard.
3. Remove it for 5 minutes, then reinsert.

Plug the PC back in and try powering on.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, as it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

VikramTheGreat

HP Support