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Well, what was turning out to be a fun day got ruined.

I was going to go out with my laptop and "war walk" i guess. I get all double layer dressed because its pretty chilly outside still, open up my laptop all ready to go, turn it on, i get beeps and absolutely nothing on my screen.

Beeps and a blank screen.

At this point im confused and fustrated. Just 3 little short beeps ruining my day.

So i go in and on my moms horrible dial up i google some remedies for my laptop. I find some things, and a website dedicated to threads from this forum. Well i find out that the beeps mean something, especially how fast and how many beeps there are, so let me explain.

1 mississippi
2 mississippi
3 mississippi is how these beeps are organized.

Now im wondering, how can this happen? It is an old laptop, Compaq presario 1700, i think its from like 1999. 320 mbs ram, 500 mhz pentium 2 or 3 i beleive, and a small 6 gb hdd just in case you needed some specs.

I treat it with respect and wasnt expecting something like this to happen. Im no noob when it comes to computers, i guess, i have built a computer before, and im working on a personal desktop for myself as well. I am just not familiar with the whole laptop configuration or anything, if its any different.

Also i have read to look and see if its just the lightbulb that has burned out, well that is also not the case because i put it under some sheets and i still see nothing. Ive booted it without the cd drive or battery in, ive looked at the ram to see if its all snug, and well im pretty much stumped.
I think the whole screen is dead or something.. I dont know.

Also, it has NEVER done anything like this before. It just happened, it worked fine the day before, and this morning it just ceased working.

Anyone willing to help?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by richh0323

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Three short POST beeps with a blank screen, as reported by , usually mean the machine failed a hardware check early in POST. Because the system powers (fans/HDD) the fault is unlikely to be just the power supply — work through quick isolation steps so the repair path is clear. was right to flag memory as a likely culprit, but there are a few inexpensive checks to do first that narrow down display vs RAM vs motherboard.

Try an external display first. Power the laptop from AC (battery removed) and attach a VGA monitor or TV. If the external shows BIOS/POST text, the problem is the laptop LCD assembly, inverter, or LVDS cable. If the external also stays blank, the fault is at or before the video output stage on the motherboard. A simple backlight check is to shine a bright flashlight at the screen while powered on; a very faint image means the backlight/inverter is dead.

For RAM: remove all modules and test with a single stick in the primary slot, then try any other sticks or slots one at a time. Clean contacts gently (eraser or contact cleaner), re-seat firmly, and try again. Record the exact beep pattern and rhythm before changing hardware — beep meanings are BIOS-dependent, so that pattern is useful if you search later. A CMOS/BIOS reset (disconnect main and coin cell batteries for a few minutes) is another low-cost step, but only after powering down and removing external power.

If external video fails and single-module RAM tests fail, suspect motherboard/chipset or CPU-level failure. Inspect the board for bulging caps, burn marks, or loose connectors. For very old laptops the repair cost often exceeds value; options then are motherboard replacement from a donor unit, professional rework, or part salvage. Recommended checklist: external monitor, single-module RAM testing, clean/reseat, CMOS reset, inspect board. Always disconnect power and ground yourself before opening the case.

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Member Avatar for richh0323

This may be a memory problem, something may have jarred loose. I am not sure what BIOS that Compaq used in this modle, but you can try pressing F10 as you bootup to get into the config mode. Make sure all drives are in right, if you know how to find the memory check it make sure it is seated.Do you know what type BIOS you have?

Member Avatar for bizarrosandwich

This may be a memory problem, something may have jarred loose. I am not sure what BIOS that Compaq used in this modle, but you can try pressing F10 as you bootup to get into the config mode. Make sure all drives are in right, if you know how to find the memory check it make sure it is seated.Do you know what type BIOS you have?

I think its like Pheonix or something like that.

Still, i dont remember if i stated this too clearly, but i see absolutely nothing on my monitor. The laptop turns on, the fans run, i feel the hard drive running, but the monitor is dead blank.

Member Avatar for richh0323

I have looked at the Phoniex codes and I don't see a 3 beep sequence, you might check this site out, and enter the product number in and see what you can find out

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