My computer is messed up... need help fixing it!

[Incognito84]

Another computer thread I will be buying a new one in a month or two but for now I'm stuck with my current computer.

I've shipped this computer across the world a few times and haven't had any trouble with it whatsoever except for some dents in the case. This time, while it still works, I'm having some problems.

Anyway, it won't turn on the normal way. If I push the power button, I get three beeps and the screen stays blank. I opened the computer up, checked the connections, tried rebooting with different RAM configurations (thinking it was a memory issue) and the only solution I found was to start it up using the power button followed by the reset button. For some reason, that works every time. Only using the power button means it will never start. Weird, but not a big deal really.

The other problem is quite a bit more serious. My computer seems to be performing slower. It especially affects video and browsing.

Before, it ran extremely smoothly when it came to basic Window stuff. Now, even typing text has a slight (noticeable) delay. Video can't be played full screen because it stutters (audio and video) and it slows down a lot so I have to watch everything in windowed mode. Even when I'm watching video in windowed mode, something simple like someone signing onto MSN can make it run really choppy for a few seconds.

It seems like if I'm running one application and switch to another, the other application starts slowing down dramatically. This never happened before I shipped my computer. Even if I'm just listening to an MP3 and browsing, if I go to a new website the MP3 in the background will start stuttering/slowing down.

The weird thing is, games work okay. At least the games that I've tried (I'm busy these days so not much gaming).

I did all sorts of memory checks, both using software (memcheck) and physically switching the RAM. It doesn't feel like a RAM issue. I ran chkdsk several times overnight and came to the conclusion that it's not an HDD issue (I've had that happen before--doesn't feel like it). If it were a video card issue, then games and the like would be affected. They're not as far as I know. I've also checked, re-checked and re-checked the wiring inside the case. Nothing seems loose. I even disconnected/reconnected everything to no avail.

That only leaves the motherboard and the CPU. To be honest, I think it's the CPU. Although I know it also *might* be the RAM as RAM is fragile and I left the sticks in the motherboard while it was shipping overseas. Maybe something to do with one of the CPU cores not functioning properly. That would explain why I can't do two tasks at once. However, even if I'm just watching a video in VLC player, if I go to full screen then it just stutters like crazy with the exception of really low quality (320p and under) videos. If it's 480p or above, it stutters in full screen, both with flash and just normal downloaded videos.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this? Anything I should check? I'm pretty good with computers but it seems I never get the same problem twice so when something new comes up I ask people online.

If I have to take something out, I don't mind. This computer isn't long for this world. If I get it working properly again, the plan is to overclock the CPU like crazy and run it hot for the last few months that I own it.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Edit: Before you answer, yes I have the newest drivers for everything. No, I don't have any viruses (I do regular scans). I think this is a hardware issue because it started happening immediately after I set up my computer after it being shipped 15000 miles.

My specs:

Intel Core2Duo E8200 @ 2.66GHZ
ZM660-TX PSU
Mainboard: Gigabyte Technology EP35-DS3R
4GB RAM
XFX Nvidia 275 GTX
320GB HDD
Samsung 22" (1680x1050)

[ZZEZ]

3 short or long beeps?its a error code, your manual has a little section dedicated to it

[Incognito84]

3 short or long beeps?its a error code, your manual has a little section dedicated to it

My motherboard's manual isn't in English and I couldn't find any information about it online. It's not a common motherboard

That and I lost the manual ages ago.

[ZZEZ]

Work on your google-fu
You can download your manual here:
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3R Manuals, Support and Troubleshooting

Q: What do the beeps emitted during the POST mean?
A: The following Award BIOS beep code descriptions may help you identify possible computer problems.
(For reference only.)
1 short: System boots successfully
2 short: CMOS setting error
1 long, 1 short: Memory or motherboard error
1 long, 2 short: Monitor or graphics card error
1 long, 3 short: Keyboard error
1 long, 9 short: BIOS ROM error
Continuous long beeps: Graphics card not inserted properly
Continuous short beeps: Power error

Double check your monitor and graphic card?make sure all the power cables are attached firmly and the card is sitting good on the mb, if that doesnt work out just take it out and reinstall it maybe that will help.
Also whats your operating system, 7/Vista with that graphical desktop enabled?

[Incognito84]

I did find that .pdf file but because of my computer issues, opening a .pdf to find out that little tidbit of information is a nightmare... so, thanks!

Double check your monitor and graphic card?

Hmm... I don't think I'd ever open a monitor in a million years which means the graphics card. The monitor is working fine and I doubt it could cause these kinds of problems.

I did check it numerous times. I also gave it a cleaning.

I'm running a temperature/GPU overclocking program which tells me that the temps fall within the normal range so it's not that. I don't think the video card would cause these kinds of problems, especially considering that games seem to be running fine. There might be an issue with the video card that is causing the computer to give me grief when I'm starting it up but I don't think that the issue is related to the problems I'm having when the computer is running.

[ZZEZ]

Well I personally wouldn't leave it alone, these problems are probably connected to each other and these things tend at their own pace to get worst.
Nvidia cards from my memory can fail or have a error in 3d or 2d only and the other side will work fine, it could be the 2d side failing which is why its giving you problems during startup and the 2d windows environment, if you have a spare graphic card I'd pop it in and see if the problem continues.

I had a similar problem years ago, computer wouldn't boot without pressing the restart button while beeping, the solution was to swap the PSU because it was slowly dying and having a power hungry graphic card didn't help startup because when the PC starts it pretty much uses maximum power to check everything hence the word POST - power on self test.

[Incognito84]

ZZEZ;1532905']Well I personally wouldn't leave it alone, these problems are probably connected to each other and these things tend at their own pace to get worst.
Nvidia cards from my memory can fail or have a error in 3d or 2d only and the other side will work fine, it could be the 2d side failing which is why its giving you problems during startup and the 2d windows environment, if you have a spare graphic card I'd pop it in and see if the problem continues.

I had a similar problem years ago, computer wouldn't boot without pressing the restart button while beeping, the solution was to swap the PSU because it was slowly dying and having a power hungry graphic card didn't help startup because when the PC starts it pretty much uses maximum power to check everything hence the word POST - power on self test.

You're probably right there. I was hoping it wasn't the PSU because I only bought it a year and a half ago but due to it's location in the tower it's possible it took the brunt of the force if the package was dropped or something. If that's the case, then I'm just going to replace the whole computer when I can get around to it (I was going to anyway, this just justifies it ).

I'll keep digging to find out if there is anything I can do to delay the process. It's possible for this to be both a video card and a PSU probelm.

[Saobh]

Moved to the hardware Technical Support section. Good luck !