BEEP CODES

[sbuxman]

I have an old HP Pavilion desktop as follows:

HP Pavilion a1640n 0nx1114RE101BUCKE00
Enclosure Type: Desktop
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.87 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (2 total)
Not hyper-threaded Board: ASUSTek Computer INC. Buckeye 1.05
Bus Clock: 266 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 3.17 08/21/2007

and an older Compaq desktop as follows:

Compaq Presario SR5010NX
Celeron D processor 360
Vista Home Basic
512 MB RAM
120 GB HDD
Intel graphics media accelerator
DVD/CD w/Lightscribe

Recently I performed a clean install of Win7 HP on the Compaq HDD and upgraded the RAM to 1GB, which can be further upgraded to a maximum 2 GB, which I had planned to do asap as well given the excellent initial Win7 performance, even with only 1 gig of memory. In checking 1) the chip/heatsink contact and 2) the cooling fan because of ridiculously loud noise coming from the area of the fan, I found virtually no remnants of thermal compound and a poorly performing fan...maybe bad bearings or just too old? Also, several tiny prongs comprising the bed on which the chip actually lays when clamped over are damaged. So I've made the decision to reinstall the newly clean Compaq HDD with Win7 HP into the HP, currently also with no drive...both mobo's are designed for SATA. The Compaq model I want to transfer from the Compaq to the HP is a Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB drive. Upon installing the Seagate HDD into the HP, which has 4GB RAM, I was not able to boot into Windows 7 and could only hear a series of beeps in succession, the first one about 2 sec, the second, about 4 seconds...short beep/long beep, short beep/long beep, etc.

I'm 90% sure I have all the connectors right in the HP, but I'm leery of the 4-pronged jumper all the way to the right of the back of the Seagate, which has no connector to it...I honestly don't remember a connector to it on the Compaq mobo, but not 100% sure. Is that the reason my system won't boot from the clean install Win7 HDD? I was pointed to info re beep codes and BIOS reset, but I'm not sure if I understand it :/

Can someone please help me resolve this dilemma so I can have a successful boot?

Thanks.

sbuxman

[SpywareDr]

Upon installation, Windows determines what hardware is in the computer and then sets-up a compatible HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer). If you then remove this hard drive and insert it in a different PC, the HAL that has been installed on the hard drive will probably not match the hardware.

[Shinma]

... the 4-pronged jumper all the way to the right of the back of the Seagate, which has no connector to it...

If Seagate is IDE/PATA,
Link,

• Barracuda 7200.9 PATA Installation Guide - Seagate

[sbuxman]

A great help...thank you!

[sbuxman]

Drive is SATA.

If Seagate is IDE/PATA,
Link,

• Barracuda 7200.9 PATA Installation Guide - Seagate

[SpywareDr]

You can't just plug some old hard drive with Windows on it into any old computer and expect it to work.

More often than not, there will be a whole host of hardware/version differences.

Sometimes, Windows can correct the problems if you boot from the appropriate Windows CD and attempt a Repair.

[sbuxman]

Drive is SATA.

That was my next hope so I'll be attempting that today.

[sbuxman]

That was my next hope so I'll be attempting that today.

I think I know the answer to the following question, but I'll ask anyway with my fingers crossed, just in case...

On the older Compaq desktop, the 775 socket that holds the chip has minor damage to some of its tiny prongs, the ones that contact the gold dots on the chip side. Maybe 3 are affected -- either bent or missing. I presume that's going to seriously affect the performance of the system. Is there any way to replace just the socket, without having to trash the entire motherboard?

[Shinma]

... the 775 socket that holds the chip ... Is there any way to replace just the socket, without having to trash the entire motherboard?

Not cost effective.

[sbuxman]

I have an Intel® Desktop Board D850EMV2 still new in the box and a Western Digital IDE-ATA interface 250 GB HD (7200 RPM 8 MB buffer) still new in the box. I also have the case the previous owner had purchased to build the system. Given the problems with the two older systems in posts #1 - #9 in this thread, I'm interested in pursuing creation of what would be an entirely new system. My experiences with others who have built systems range from comments like, "couldn't be easier -- anyone can do it -- you just need this component, this component and this one...plus a case," to stern advice to avoid something too technical for my comprehension. I figure the experts here will know the real answer, so I'm open to suggestions. Fire (respectfully) away...

Thank you.

[jdc2000]

Building a system is relatively easy to do.

However, your Intel board may not be the one to use.

Intel D850EMV2 info:

Supported Processors:
http://www.intel.com/support/motherb.../cs-010466.htm

Memory: (512 MB maximum)
http://www.intel.com/support/motherb.../cs-010572.htm

Note: 512 MB is marginal for XP, not enough for Vista, Win 7 or Win 8

[Shinma]

Ditto to jdc2000's suggestion of avoiding use of the Intel D850EMV2.
That mobo uses RAMBUS, which is difficult to locate and costly.
Even if you do find an inexpensive/free pair(s),
Using 512 MB of memory for Windows98 - current operating systems is unrealistic.

[sbuxman]

That's very helpful info and much appreciated. The subject hardware has been collecting dust in my garage for over 4 years, maybe even +6, so I'm not surprised at the low amt of RAM as the max. I'd try the old HP I have, which is 4GB RAM and I think a P4 processor, but I'd need a SATA drive, correct? This brings up a question I have about "IDE/SATA interface" as mentioned in the Intel manual for this drive...does that mean that I can "convert" from one to the other to gain compatibility with the motherboard? I know my slip is showing here, but I've wanted to ask that question for quite some time...forgive my ignorance.

Any suggestions for a decent board for this system? I have a virgin copy of Win7 that I'd love to use on the still-in-the-box WD IDE.

[sbuxman]

Ditto to jdc2000's suggestion of avoiding use of the Intel D850EMV2.
That mobo uses RAMBUS, which is difficult to locate and costly.
Even if you do find an inexpensive/free pair(s),
Using 512 MB of memory for Windows98 - current operating systems is unrealistic.

Agree 100%...my newest desktop I've had for about 6 months is expandable to 32GB RAM.

Thank you.

[Shinma]

... I'd try the old HP I have, ...but I'd need a SATA drive, correct? ...

If you are referring to the HP Pavilion Media Center a1640n Desktop,
Correct.
That mobo only supports drives with SATA interface.

... This brings up a question I have about "IDE/SATA interface" as mentioned in the Intel manual for this drive...does that mean that I can "convert" from one to the other to gain compatibility with the motherboard? ...

Adapters, due to possible hardware compatibility issues, are a hit and miss.
There is also the issue with any third party software may throw a fit due to the use of an adapter since it is not native hardware...
In a nutshell: Avoid adapters.
There is also the issue of total costs. An inexpensive SATA hard drive would not be a whole lot more expensive then using a good adapter anyways...