No beeps during post (sometimes)

Weird problem I've been having here - had some problems recently with nothing coming up on my pcs display and no bios beeps when booting.

This only used to happen very infrequently and seemed to be when i moved the computer (on trips to/from university). I usually managed to fix it by unplugging things (usually the graphics card) and putting them back in.

However now the problem has become much worse and it now only boots very infequently and then the problem starts again. I've booting with a different graphics card and with nothing else plugged in (except cpu/ram) and sometimes that fixes it and sometimes it doesn't.

Also tried booting with no graphics card - it usually beeps a post code then but one time it didn't.

Does anyone have any ideas - I've read through all the pages about not beeps in post - but they don't seem to apply when my problem is intermittant.

Cheers

Tom

The computer needs a processor and memory (not to mention the speaker) to beep POST codes. I would take a look at your RAM sticks and see if one is not locked in well, or the contacts are tarnished.

Use ESD precautions when doing so. If there is tarnish, a red eraser is a good tool to use to run away the tarnish with minimal damage to the plating. Be sure to remove any debris.

Ensure the processor is well-seated and there is no corrosion or debris in the socket and that the socket is locked when the processor is installed.

If you can get it to boot, you could try running memtest86 (full series of test on entire range of memory) to see if there's any obvious defects in the RAM.

There's also the possibility of microfractures in the motherboard itself, and they manifest themselves when the machine is moved, or there are significant changes in ambient temperature.

My suspected failure list would be as follows: Processor, motherboard, memory, PSU.

Cheers, I have checked the memory and it's definitly ok - have also reseated the processor so I don't think it's a connection problem.

It could be a problem with moving - I noticed at one point it seemed to boot ok on its side but when i put it upright it stopped. I'll try the other things you say and see what happens.

If that's the case, then I think it's likely that the motherboard is damaged... the weight of the components attached will flex the board and could cause the failures mentioned.

Have just replaced the motherboard and getting excatly the same problem - though it does seem to be working slightly better than before. Any more ideas before i try another PSU and processor (if i can get hold of one)?