Hi, I added an extra RAM in the third slot, but after that the PC stop working. i.e when I start the PC it gives one beep followed by 3 beeps. I remove the extra RAM but the PC does not work. When I start the PC it remains on for a couple of seconds & then goes off, the monitor also does not start. I have an IBM PC and added a IBM RAM. pls adv regards rovert

Most likely because you just happened to disturb the RAM hardware for the first time for yonks, causing a bad connection. Take out your current RAM sticks and clean their edge connectors with a clean pencil rubber (blow away any debris this leaves behind). Pop them in and out of the slots a few times as this helps clean off tarnish, then put them in firmly. Don't add your new stick until your current problem is solved. The bleep count varies with machines so you will need to Google to find their meaning for your BIOS. Less likely, but worth a check, is that some other cable connector is loose. Display card edge connectors can sometimes give trouble though that seems less likely in this instance. DerekW

... for the first time for yonks, ... Haven't heard that expression for donkeys years! I wouldn't rule out the video card entirely. Some video cards have to positioned very precisely. Once positioned they stay that way till you knock them slightly like when inserting RAM. Try losing the nut that holds the video card in place, giving it a little push and tightening the nut up again - but not to tight. Stuart

"Try losing the nut that holds the video card in place" I'm sure Stuart meant loosening the screw. We all lose enough hardware accidentally without deliberately aiming to do so. I concur, the beep code seems to point at the video card.

RAM seems to be the root of your problem. make a discreet clean for your mainboard (focus on the RAM banks) so your memory stick would get an easy contact to the slot but make sure the pins tightly sank into the bank. then probably your video card was being disconnect to the board unintentionally that make a beep error when you are trying to boot up. just take off the video card from its position and vacuum the slot. then put back the card to the slot making it sure it sank to its original position. then try booting it now.

guwi21, This is the second today you have recommended vacuuming a PC. Vacuum cleaners generate huge ammounts of static electricity. They can destroy a computer. I will not reccommend using a vacuum cleaner on any modern electronic device. Dust rarely accumulates in a populated slot. Compressed air is the preferred method of cleaning if it did.

Vaccuuming is not recommended for computers (just carpets) Some reasonable advice (in the first 3 responses, anyways) Computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and perhaps only weigh 1 1/2 tons. - Popular Mechanics, 1949