Black screen 3 beeps tried everything

[LizHayes91]

Hello,  my problem started a few days ago. I was playing a game just fine, everything was normal. I turned the game off, went to the store made dinner, threw some laundry in, watched a movie, then went back to the game. Only now the screen was Black. Didn't think anything about, restarted the computer. NOW.. my lock screen popped up, I clicked to put my passcode in and the screen went Black (little box that said blah blah inactive inactive check cable and power source).  Did that, restarted.. nothing. I bought a new hdmi cable, nothing. Bought a new display port cable, nothing. Now it's beeping.. 3 long beeps,  pause, 3 short higher pitched beeps. I have taken out the RAM cards, the battery, the graphics card, reset the CMOS jumper, unplugged everything from it that I could and put it all back together at least 10-15 times over the last 3-4 days. I have tried EVERY key combos to force it to start or at least start (esc, f2, f8, f9, f10, f11, shift, win+b/v.. etc.) in safe mode or BIOS mode. I put a different graphics card in, no luck.  I created a windows 11 usb drive and tried to reboot from there but it won't recognize it. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I'll get a screen the says something is wrong we're fixing it.. Black screen.  I've gotten a black screen that says something about the CMOS 502 then Black. I've gotten a blue green that says windows didn't start properly click either 'restart or 'advanced options', either one gives me Black screen. A couple times I've been able to get it to where I can type my passcode then in goes Black. I've had the computer 3 years, bought it brand new.  At this point I'm at a total loss. I have no idea where to go from here. Any help or suggestions would be fantastic! Thanks!

Frustrated and sad, 

Liz

[Sneha_01]

Hi @LizHayes91,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like you’re dealing with a serious hardware issue, given the combination of the black screen, beeping codes, and the various troubleshooting steps you’ve already attempted. Let’s break down the problem and explore potential solutions.

Understanding the Beep Codes

The beep codes you're hearing (3 long beeps followed by 3 short beeps) can provide diagnostic information about the issue:

• 3 Long Beeps and 3 Short Beeps: This pattern can indicate a hardware issue related to the system board, video card, or RAM. The exact meaning can vary by manufacturer, so it's important to check your system's manual or the manufacturer's website for specific details.

Troubleshooting Steps

Check the Beep Codes

• Consult the Manual: Look up the specific beep codes for your motherboard or computer model in the user manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Different manufacturers have different beep code meanings.

Verify Component Installation

• RAM: Ensure that RAM sticks are properly seated in their slots. Try reseating them or testing with one stick at a time if you have multiple sticks.
• Graphics Card: Ensure that the graphics card is properly seated and that any additional power connectors are plugged in. If you’ve tried a different graphics card, verify that it’s compatible with your system.

Check for CMOS Battery Issues

• CMOS Battery: A CMOS 502 error indicates a CMOS battery failure. Try replacing the CMOS battery on your motherboard. It’s a small, coin-cell battery located on the motherboard.

Inspect Internal Connections

• Cable Connections: Double-check all internal cables and connectors. Ensure that the power cables to the motherboard and other components are secure.

Reset BIOS/UEFI

• BIOS Reset: Since you’ve already reset the CMOS jumper, ensure that it’s done correctly. If you haven’t already, remove the CMOS battery for about 5 minutes and then reinstall it.

Test with Minimal Hardware

• Bare Minimum: Disconnect all peripherals and extra components. Test the system with only the essential components connected (CPU, one stick of RAM, and power supply). This can help determine if another component is causing the issue.

Try a Different Monitor or Display

• Monitor Check: Ensure that the monitor is functioning correctly. Try connecting your system to a different monitor to rule out display issues.

Boot from USB Drive

• Boot Issues: If the computer doesn’t recognize the USB drive, ensure that the drive is correctly formatted and has a bootable OS installation on it. You might need to check BIOS settings to ensure USB boot is enabled.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support