CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)Hardware and Network TroubleshootingMedium
A desktop PC powers on, fans spin, and lights illuminate, but the system emits a continuous series of beeps and displays nothing on the monitor. The technician reseats the video card with no change. What should be tested next?
- AThe power supply wattage rating
- BThe optical drive cable
- CThe network interface card
- DThe RAM modules
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The RAM modules
Continuous or repeating beep codes on most systems indicate a memory error. Since the video card was already reseated without resolving the issue, the next logical component to check is RAM.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wattage issues typically cause no power at all, not beep codes with fans running.
- B. The optical drive is not tested during early POST and wouldn't cause beep codes.
- C. NIC failures do not produce POST beep codes.
POST Beep Codes
Audible codes generated by system firmware during Power-On Self-Test to indicate hardware failures before video output is available.
- Continuous beeping often indicates RAM failure
- Beep patterns vary by BIOS manufacturer (AMI, Award, Phoenix)
- No beep at all with no display may indicate PSU or motherboard failure
Memory trick: 'Beeping Means Bad Memory' when video card is fine.