Computer Beeps on Start Up

It has continuous beeps on start up. I would have to turn it off and on quite a few times for it to start working, and every now and then bang it to start to get it working.

Sometime it would start without the beeps and go to a black screen with a flashing cursor. I would press any key and it would start working, and sometimes it would shut off in the middle of internet browsing.

Then I got to reading and read that the beeps have something to do with the RAM. I messed around with them a little, taking them out switching them around ect...

After doing that it doesn't beep much anymore. On start up now it goes to a black screen that says:

"Master Boot Record Error

Press a key

Disk boot failure, insert system disk and press enter

_"


Where did this come from and how is it fixed? If I don't have the system disk is that a major problem?

The computer is a Compaq Presario with Windows XP Home Edition

Any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks

- John

Bump

Hello,

Please let me known how many beeps are there. E.g. 1 long 2 short.

Doctor Inferno wrote:

Hello,

Please let me known how many beeps are there. E.g. 1 long 2 short.

Hi

The beeps long and continuous. I'm sure if I did not turn it off it would just keep on beeping.

well,does your windows have a widget toolbar at the right of your screen?
if yes,have you added the CPU Meter?if yes,what speed does it move on? (the RAM side and the GB side)asking this bcoz,it may be useful to identify the RAM problems..