New Computer locked up

[Moontanman]

Ok, not a new computer but new to me. I got an old computer from a friend and since it's better than mine I've been using it for several days and just as i decided to transfer my data to the new computer it stopped working.

 

It is an emachine, probably 9 years old or so. It's running windows xp and has a hibernation mode and this seems to be the problem.

 

The computer drops into hibernation mode if you are away for 30 minutes or so and when you hit return the computer turns back on. But for some reason last night it refused to wake up completely. For some reason the tower came on but the monitor and the key board didn't.

 

I restarted but it did the same thing except now it beeps at me but the monitor and key board do not come on.

 

I've unplugged everything and restarted but all i get is a beeping tower, no keyboard or monitor. It beeps at me in the most annoying manner....

 

Any suggestions? I had to set my old computer back up to log in to ask for help.....

[Greg H.]

The beeping is the key. It's the POST trying to tell you something - unfortunately, understanding POST beep codes is one of those esoteric skills no one really develops anymore.

 

Jot down the beep code (like morse code there can be long and short beeps). For example, 1 long, 3 short, 1 long, is some kind of memory issue.

 

Just get the beep code and then google it. post it here too, and we may be able to offer more advice/assistance.

[Moontanman]

The beeping is constant and as far as i can tell has no pattern. I could of course be wrong but it sure seemed regular with no pattern.

The beeping is constant, one beep then a space of about the same length as the beep...

[Greg H.]

That's odd.

 

I'd try re-seating the Ram, but aside from that, I'm not sure what the issue is - a steady beep isn't any code I recognize.

[Moontanman]

Re-seating the ram seems to have worked, thank-you! now i need to know how to transfer data from one computer to another...

[EdEarl]

Re-seating the ram seems to have worked, thank-you! now i need to know how to transfer data from one computer to another...

A USB memory stick works well; although, I have made disk-to-disk backups in one machine (A), remove the backup from A, and instal it in another machine (B). However, you cannot do that with the operating system disk (C: on windows). It is also possible to transfer data via your local internet, or to store data from A in the cloud and retrieve it onto B.

[StringJunky]

Best to store your data away from the operating system. An external usb hard drive would be best if you have a lot.

[Moontanman]

Best to store your data away from the operating system. An external usb hard drive would be best if you have a lot.

 

 

Most of the files i need to transfer are word files of my writing and picture files mostly fish pictures for Identification of species. Probably just a few gigs. I was under the impression I could easily hook the two towers together and transfer the files i needed. Actually i have two old computers i need to transfer files from to the new one. It has 160 gigs of memory and could easily hold the entire contents of both but I would like to get rid of lots of crap that came with the old computer that i really don't need. The neatest way to do that would be to cherry pick files I want to save and recycle both towers..

[EdEarl]

 

The neatest way to do that would be to cherry pick files I want to save and recycle both towers..

Good plan, easiest to do with a memory stick or USB backup drive.

 

Connecting computers, back to back, whether via local network or special cabling can be time consuming, because computers protect themselves from other computers, meaning you would have to override security. If you have done it previously and do not need to refer to documentation, it wouldn't take long. Otherwise, you are better off cherry picking, IMO.