CAPS LOCK and NUM LOCK flashing but everything working

[whitnk]

The flashing seems to occur intermittently.  Ten flashes and then all black again.    Everything seems to be working properly on the computer, but, based on other posts about flashing buttons, I am concerned that this is warning sign for BIOS failure to come.  Input, please?

[itsmyname]

@whitnk --  I am concerned that this is warning sign for BIOS failure to come.  

I really doubt that there is an imminent "BIOS Failure". It is far more likely to be some other component that is failing.  Within this discussion forum, there are far too many "Failed BIOS Update turned my computer into a brick" posts.  Don't try a BIOS update, except as a LAST resort.

Also, do a Google-search for "HP beep codes", to try to match "ten video flashes" to an HP-specific error.

[WAWood]

@whitnk 

According to HP, this flash code indicates a problem either with an add-on card or the system board.  You could try removing all the add-on boards and see if the flashing stops.  If that does not work, then this is likely the system board and since HP does not sell those, those are very difficult and expensive to replace and even then, you have to buy your own copy of Windows because the license on yours is tied to the system board.

[Whitnk1]

Thank you for this. I haven’t installed any add-on boards, so I assume there would not be any?  Or can a  PC come with the add-ons, depending on what features the user ordered?

[WAWood]

@whitnk 

Why did you create another account simply to reply to your own thread?

[Whitnk1]

I created a new account because I was having trouble signing into the original. 

[itsmyname]

@whitnk & @Whitnk1 --  I assume there would not be any?  Or can a  PC come with the add-ons, depending on what features the user ordered?

Yes. Some models come with "integrated graphics", and for some models, you can customize-to-order (CTO) to add-in a better graphics adapter card.

Take a look at the external connectors on  the back of the desktop -- if there is one (or a group) of video-connectors (maybe VGA/DVI/HDMI) that is in a separate area from the USB & Serial & PS/2 & audio-sockets, what you have is an add-in card.

It is possible that the add-in graphics adapter is not completely and properly "seated" in its socket on the motherboard. Check that possibility, by pushing down on the adapter card, to see if that eliminates the odd start-up indications.

[Whitnk1]

Thank you for your input.  I did not have any add-on boards, and finally decided to buy a help session with HP.  The rep had me run a lot of diagnostics, and we updated my BIOS.  The flashing continued, so we tried a wired keyboard - on which the flashing did not occur.  The rep concluded that my wireless keyboard is faulty, but that I can just continue to use it so long as the flashing does not bother me.  In the meantime, I've made sure my PC is fully backed up.