2 beeps, no post after swapping GPU fans.

So yet again, I am replacing the fans in this system. 3rd time in 4 years ownership. Put the new fans in and once back together, all I get is a flashing num lock and 2 beeps. I have removed the 4850 cards - this was xfire from the start and put in a new 5870. Same issue. I have tried removing keyboard, memory and the two new fans, no love. Initially, when I first started it back up I had bad, bad graphic anomalies on the screen, then 2-3 attempts to boot later, no video. So I thought it was the primary 4850, this is why I upgraded to the 5x series. Not sure if anyone else here has had this issue, it worked just fine before the fan swap, and I am a PC tech by trade, this one is just odd. Any ideas?

added*

I have removed the memory and the post beeps/status changes so I think the motherboard is ok.

 

What's the system? Pre-dell, M17x R1?

 

Ooops, forgot that bit of fun. This is an M17r2.

 

Ok ...
Are you 100% that it's NUM lock blinking and no other led?

 

There are 3 indicators on the upper left side, caps - scroll and num lock I think - going by memory as I am at work. The outer 2 blink, the center one stays lit constant. The lights come on the keyboard and upper section there.

 

I had a replacement keyboard handy - new, never opened, and read about this model not booting on AC power if the keyboard is not hooked up/failed. I'll try replacing that later tonight. Battery is shot, was about 6 months after new hehe.

 

Yeah yeah, much better
As far as i know that's a LCD issue (very rarely GPU)... try reseating the video cable, that usually helps

Yeah, but unless its broken there is no need to do that

 

Solved. Thank you for the input! I had pulled it off and thought I reseated it once already, apparently I was not forceful enough. It is now booting and many thanks, Max.

 

Great to hear that it was an easy, cost free fix

No problem, thats why we are here

 

Nice! IT'S ALIVE!! @Maxslo, thanks for the help! +1