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Windows 7 beeps ("Default Beep") multiple times on otherwise normal startup

Anonymous
2012-05-16T15:50:29+00:00

When starting up Windows 7 (64-bit W7 SP1, Dell E6410 notebook, Core I7 M260 @2.8 GHz, 8GB RAM), I will typically hear a number of beeps (Anywhere from one to perhaps ten -- identified as the "default beep" in the Sounds menu) while Windows is starting (i.e. after login, but before the startup process is complete).  This is the same beep that I occasionally hear when trying to type into a command window when Windows is extremely busy doing other things, when I guess it's telling me that it's ignoring my input momentarily.

Typically it seems to eventually come up fine, but now and then I appear to be missing an icon or two from the notification area -- and it is not always the same one.

All of my services do appear to be running after startup, though as I say occasionally the associated icon doesn't always make it into the notification area.

Other than the occasional missing icon, it seems relatively harmless -- but it IS annoying, and beeps from the OS for an unknown cause are always a cause for concern.

I realize that this isn't a lot of information, but I don't appear to be getting any unusual errors or other entries in the WIndows logs, nor any error stops or much of anything else I can use to try tracking down this problem.  I have, of course, tried searching the Web for answers, but if the answer is out there, it's mixed in with a large mass of messages regarding hardware beeps, stop codes and other much more serious (but also easier to diagnose) problems.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

Thanks.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-07-17T00:20:08+00:00

    I have a very similar problem with rapid, loud, continuous beeps while Win7 is booting on a Dell Latitude D620 laptop ever since it was upgraded from 1GB to 4GB of RAM.  These are not POST beeps.  Beeps only occur after POST while the Win7 boot manager is loading drivers, before the login screen appears.  Also, they only occur when BIOS is set for "Quick Boot", which in fact is very quick (less than a minute).  I have the latest available Dell BIOS (Ver. A10, released 5/19/2008).

    The oddest thing is that if I shutdown the laptop and reboot within 5-10 minutes, the beeps never occur!  However, if the laptop is off for about 15 minutes or longer, the beeps always reappear as long as I set the BCD store to bypass the Windows Boot Manager screen.  If the BCD store is not set to bypass the Windows Boot Manager screen, then the WBM screen appears (requiring the return key to be hit) and the beeps follow on half or more of the delayed boots.

    Win7 itself runs fine.  No missing icons.  All hardware tests pass.  No stuck keys as far as I  can tell.  Memory is recognized as expected.

    Very annoying and from a safety perspective I hesitate to turn off the windows beeps entirely using device manager.  I have searched the web intensely and see no other references to this behavior.  Is there an issue with Win7 buffer overflow on "Quick Boot" with 4GB RAM?

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-05-17T08:49:53+00:00

    Hi,

    Do you remember making any changes to the computer prior

    to this issue?

    System beep sounds are so important and it will indicate the system errors and it will alert you against the system damages. When the system processor or Random Access Memory (RAM), or hard disk is not working properly, it will give the system alert using the beep sound.

    Hence, I would recommend you to check for the proper working condition of your RAM and the hard disk.

    Run hardware troubleshooter and check.http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Open-the-Hardware-and-Devices-troubleshooter

    Method 1:

    You may even check in safe mode – In Safe mode; you have access to only basic drivers. Refer to the link to start the computer in safe mode

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Start-your-computer-in-safe-mode

    Method 2: Change sound scheme.

    Follow these steps to do the same:

    a. To open Sounds and Audio Devices, click Start, click Control Panel, click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, and then click Sounds and Audio Devices.

    b. On the Sounds tab, in the Program events list, select No Sounds under Sound scheme, click Save As.

    c. In the Save Scheme As dialog box, type a name for the new sound scheme. 

     The new scheme is displayed in the Sound scheme box.

    Method 3: For issues with some notification not appearing at startup, check if your computer is in Normal startup.

    a. Click on Start button; In the start search, type in msconfig and hit Enter.

    b. If it is in Selective Startup, click on Normal startupradio button and click Apply.

    c. Restart your computer and check.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-07-17T12:08:35+00:00

    I have 8GB of RAM, and the A10 BIOS.  You are seeing pretty much exactly what I'm seeing (and I just tried turning off Quick Boot, and didn't hear a beep).

    VERY interesting...

    Thanks!

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-07-17T18:54:04+00:00

    Hi Bob,

    Have you considered flashing latest Dell BIOS (A12, 6/5/2012) for your Latitude E6410?

    (Note that Dell requires going from A10 to A11 before flashing A12, per notes on their driver page).  If you decide to try it, please post back the results.

    A10 is the latest available for the Latitude D620.

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