HP Computer: Amber Light & Beeping

[Tom Saurus]

We had a power outage today. I have the computer plugged into a battery backup. I shut the computer down, I thought properly. Well anyway when the power came back on I turned the computer on and I get an orange flashing light and beeping. Looking at the back of the computer the fans are running. The beeping stops after 30 seconds or so then it is just the flashing orange light. I am hoping it is just the power supply. I hope the hard drive isn't gone, I should of backed up more stuff the other day. I hope it isn't the chip or motherboard. My computer tech isn't in today he will be back tomorrow.

Any advice is appreciated. This is my HP i5 computer and it has been such a wonderful machine. I sure hope it isn't the hard drive, I hope if it I have time to get stuff off it before it is too late. My HD recordings and other files are on that computer. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

[jman98]

In a worst case, the odds of the hard drives being unrecoverable are extremely low. I am sure that whatever happens, your hard drive data will be recoverable if not the drive being completely OK. I've worked on all kinds of hard drive problems and almost always the data is recoverable in situations like yours. I'm talking like 99% chance you won't lose any data here.

[Tom Saurus]

jman98: This computer doesn't have a switch on the back for on and off. I moved the computer out to another area of the house. Then I pulled the power cord out of the back of the computer. Then I plugged it backed into the back of the computer and pressed the power button up on top of the computer. I was praying a bit too, and the computer went to a blue light and booted up as usual. Now I better smarten up and back stuff up. I am going to get that spare one too, even if I have to tolerate Windows 8. Thanks for telling me about the good odds of recovering the data.

[Nelson37]

Your backup unit is not doing it's job, or the outlet it is plugged into is not properly grounded. What brand of battery unit?

[Tom Saurus]

Nelson37: You could be right on both accounts. It is an APC UPS ES 550 and I have two desktop computers plugged into the battery backup part. I should buy a higher powered one, but they are so expensive I put that off. The hydro went off again and I had to unplug it and then plug it back in again. I did this several times and eventually I must of did it the right way because now it is working again.

[jagabo]

It is an APC UPS ES 550 and I have two desktop computers plugged into the battery backup part.

That's probably too much for 550 VA UPS. How old is it? The batteries only last maybe 5 years.

[Tom Saurus]

jagabo: I would say the battery backup is about 3 years old. The Windows XP computer doesn't seem to get this problem when I shut it down. The HP one seems to be quite sensitive.

[Nelson37]

Some power supplies have internal circuitry that acts in a "self-pretective" mode. Power irregularities can trigger this, unplugging the unit and/or cycling the switch on the read of the PSU usually solves this. The APC unit should prevent this.

You mention a new problem today. Are you saying that after power was restored, you plugged the APC unit into the wall outlet and it failed to turn on? Or, are you referring to the PC itself, basically doing the same thing it did for the original problem?

ALL surge protection units depend heavily on a proper ground, not only as a place to re-direct the surge, but also in some way to detect the viability of the circuit. I am not an electrical engineer, but I've had several conversations with APC (and other) reps. Improper ground is the only thing that invalidates their guarantee against damage.

I do not know what conditions exactly would cause an APC, plugged into an apparently working outlet, to not power on. None of them are good for sensitive electronics.

[Tom Saurus]

Nelson37: We had another power interruption. So I shut down the HP i5 computer by going to the start button and selecting shut down. I did the same with the Windows XP machine. I had the same problem with the HP computer that I had before. I think that I overtax the unit having two desktops plugged into it. I just want a minute or two to shut things down properly and protection from surges. I should buy a second one to plug the other desktop into.

[Nelson37]

If there is enough power to run, there should be enough power to shut down. When the battery can't run the load, they simply shut down immediately. The PC's continue to work with main power out and running only on battery. Possible you are right on the edge and flaky power is causing issues, but the odds are low.

I would investigate some shutdowns with normal power and see if there is some issue. Also if possible check the building's ground. I have had a simple loose ground wire cause strange problems on several occasions.

[Tom Saurus]

I had the same problem today and I fired up the laptop to do some research. What finally worked was unplugging the computer and unplugging all the perifials and then plugging it back in. I also said a prayer or two, well something worked because it started up normally. I found the tip on the HP website somewhere.

[Nelson37]

What peripherals and what are they plugged in to? They should be connected to the surge-protected but NOT battery-backed plugs on the APC.