No Display, Three Long Caps Lock Blinks, Two Short

[CaveatEmptor]

My laptop turns on but has no display and gives the error code indicated in the title. I tried a hard reset, reseating the memory module, connecting an external display, and the whole Windows plus B startup key press, all to no avail. The code seems to indicate the memory is bad, but I have no compatible RAM on hand to test. My question is, before I buy a new stick of memory, is this 100% the problem? How accurate are these error codes? I would hate to buy it only to find out the entire motherboard needs to be replaced or something. And is there anything else I could try?

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi

Hardware

3.2

The embedded controller has timed out waiting for BIOS to return from memory initialization. Indicates potential memory failure.

1 Reseat memory. 2 Correct memory configuration. 3 Test with known good memory. 4 Replace affected component.

First:- Turn off the computer, press and hold the PWR button for 4 seconds.

Then - Leave only keyboard and mouse connected, disconnect all externally connected
devices such as Docking Station, USB storage devices, displays, and printers.
Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.

Next - Press and Hold the Power button for 15 seconds to Hard Reset.
Rinse and Repeat

AND/OR - Power on your PC, press Esc (repeatedly), then F2 at the prompt.
Choose System Tests (Fast Test does a 4 minute hardware check).

So I guess the answer is you will have to take a chance.

[CaveatEmptor]

Thank you for the response. I tried these things and no luck.

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

How unfortunate.

So now you should either try the full diagnostic or replace the memory.