BIOS beep code interpretation? Bad motherboard? Dell Inspiron

Hi:

My Inspiron 8600 LCD turned gray with stripes. Dell had me press the function key and power key in order to get the BIOS beep sound, and then told me I need a new motherboard.

I've read some posts from folks who were also told the motherboard was dead, yet that was not the real problem.

I've found a few tables of BIOS beep codes, and mine isn't on any of them. Just thought I'd see if anyone on here can help, or concurs with Dell.

The beeps my unit makes are 5 beeps, 5 beeps, then 3, then 3. Writing it out in musical notes it's like C-E-G-E-G, C-E-G-E-C (low-mid-high-mid-low), G-G-G, G-G-G. I tried to draw it out, but it won't post right. Sorry if this seems really dumb to you. But no one has a bios beep code that goes 5-5-3-3, and I'd like to know what's going on.


Thanks for any help.

 

What GPU do you have?

 

I don't know. It's a 2003 computer, bought without intent of gaming, so probably nothing special?

With Dell you have to pay extra to have a separate graphics card. This probably has an integrated card.

(I had to look up what a GPU is, so I'm sorry if my answer isn't very good)

 

The "gray with stripes" makes me think the GPU has died. And since you say it's not a separate card, that's probably why dell told you it needs a new motherboard.

 

Dead GPU from the looks of it... No point getting a new motherboard as it would cost a lot and could buy you a new laptop so time to go and get a new laptop and retire this one...

 

Hi there zhoffritz.

Can I ask you to download these tools to check what CPU, GPU and motherboard you have?

CPU Z for CPU information
GPU Z for GPU information
HWMonitor for temps information

And post back with the info or maybe some pics?

This sounds like the laptop uses the Go5650 (according to google) but still, let us know what info you can provide. Perhaps, as suggested, the GPU has failed on you.

 

I appreciate the replies.

Serg, I think that those programs would run on the very laptop we want info on, right? I would not be able to see the results, because the screen is grey and trying an external monitor doesn't work. But maybe I'm wrong and I put the programs on another computer and somehow hook the laptop up to it?

To the others: I appreciate you corroborating that it seems the motherboard really does need to be replaced. A new laptop is just a few hundred dollars, so buying another motherboard (and optical drive!) doesn't make sense. I'd post a photo of the screen, but the laptop is not with me. Imagine the entire screen being a light grey, with very narrow vertical threads of different colors. The amount and placement of the vertical lines differs, but it doesn't change in a flashy way.

Before buying another laptop I will first try to make a Frankenstein laptop computer, with all of my assorted Inspiron bits. This computer with dead motherboard is an Inspiron 8600. I have an 8000 sitting around with no hard drive. And my mom is about the replace her 8200. With all these computers, I have 2 working hard drives, one good optical drive, "lots" of RAM, one internal wireless card, and zero USB 2 slots. Hopefully I can get it working and have some internet at home again! (I had a backup computer, an old desktop, but its HD failed the day after the laptop failed)

I am about to pull the hard drive from the 8600 laptop and stick it in my old Inspiron, and try to repair windows. I hope it works!

Thanks again.

 

Here is one way you might be able to fix the GPU:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=437683

 

Oh, how cool! It's worked for him 3 times, I have some hope of it working for me. If the thing is already dead, why not try. I even have a laser-pointer thermometer for temperature accuracy.

 

Good luck, make sure your motherboard says "lead free".
You dont want to poison yourself

 

Trying to bake your mobo?
Good luck with that, and be careful.