BleepingComputer.com: 3-pitch random beeps from HP computer

About 3 months ago, my computer began to emit random 3-pitch short beeps. If they were notes, we would have a "E", "C" "G" pattern. It doesn't matter if I'm on the computer or not, or whether the computer is asleep or not. I have rebooted and run a Spybot check; everything seems clean. I do notice that the beeps seem to "match" some actions when I"m on the internet, but the beeps continue even when everything is closed. What are these beeps and how do I quiet them? Thanks.

There are only three instances where I've heard my systems give an alarm of any sort:

a. While doing a virus scan and a known malware item is found.

b. When the system overheating warning goes off.

c. BIOS beep codes.

System manufacturer and model?

Louis

Thanks for taking the time to help. HP Compaq running on XP; Intel Pentium 82801. Unfortunately, I don't perceive that your 3 suggestions fit the description. For #1, wouldn't that be during specified times, not randomly day and night whether I'm on the computer or not? For #2, I've checked the box, dusted the inside (with compressed air), nothing unusual there either. For #3, I'm no whiz on computers, but seem to have found that BIOS beeps are more like morse code--always the same pitch, with long and short. I actually found a video which demonstrated what BIOS beeps sound like---nothing like the "sing song" of 3 short high-pitched notes that I get. However at this point I'm more than willing to try to dig deeper and find out indeed if it's a BIOS. The PDF charts that I found so far did not describe my sounds--any idea where I can get an exhaustive list?

Would love to be in Texas right now--Chicago is grey and dull even though snow is almost all melted.

LOL...I've lived in Chicage (Des Plaines) through many inches of snow and bitter wind off the lake and I've done my time with Midwest winters , so I know how it is there.

Worth a look, http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&docname=bph07107 .

Louis

set windows sounds to "none" .to eliminate that as the source of the beeps.
how to, just in case .
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-xp/help/setup/change-windows-xp-sounds

This post has been edited by caperjac: 26 January 2012 - 06:46 PM

The beeping sound could also be cause by a loose USB or PS/2 device plugged that needs to be replaced or as suggested above.

Thanks everyone for the wonderful help and suggestions. I cleaned up the computer and made sure all the fans were running, then ran through the connections, did the BIOS check, and finally ran a different malware to find a virus that didn't show up on spybot. No beeps since!

Now, how do we "terminate" a forum?

Glad you resolved it, thanks for feedback.

We don't typically close post, keeping them available for the general populace as possible educational/resource tools that may be useful.

Happy computing .

Louis