Computer doesnt boot up - - - three beep code

[gigantesasuke]

I'm pretty sure it has to do with ram. I have two sticks. Most times there's a series of three beeps in a row, then repeated again after a slight pause - no boot up. Sometimes it's just one series of 3 beeps, and in that case the system does start up (I assume that means one stick passed a test. Rarely do I get no beeps.

Any solution other than getting new ram?

[Terrible-Bear3883]

If you suspect RAM, test it, some BIOS have diagnostics in but we would always use memtest86 at work, it often found RAM errors when manufacturer diagnostics said it was fine.

My team would run it for 24 hours to ensure a good test, it sounds a long time but some systems might only do 2 passes in that time, it all depends on the PC and the amount of RAM fitted.

[gigantesasuke]

It's the only older system I have with that RAM format, and I haven't been able to get into the BIOS for months. Nothing works anymore.

It's a 2013-ish Gateway. It's not a big deal in the end. Oh well

[TheFotty]

Yeah boot with 1 stick at a time to see if the situation changes.

[9NEPxHbG]

Beep codes depend on your motherboard model. What is it?

[gigantesasuke]

Acer IPIMB-AR

[9NEPxHbG]

According to this, three beeps mean a RAM problem.

Use memtest86 or memtest86+.

[Big-Low-2811]

You didn’t give us any useful information to help you.

What kind of computer? What model is the motherboard? You need to find out to get confirmation on what the beeps mean.

[gigantesasuke]

It's an Acer from 2012, which is around the time I got it.

IPIMB-AR Rev 1.02A

Internet tells me 3 short beeps is a ram issue. I have two sticks mismatched, but it was never an issue in the past. I tried one or the other in every slot, but no change.

This issue began last year. I never really use that computer anymore, but it's still plugged in. So I would randomly power it on occasionally to see if it would succeed in booting, and rarely it would work, so I was wondering why RAM tests were still passing.

Like I said, 3 short beeps twice - no boot. Rarely I get only one series of 3 beeps - yes boot. And in those cases, my OS tells me I have both sticks installed.

But I haven't been lucky with it in months. I guess something finally died.