When i switch on my desktop I get 5 beeps which repeats - I understand this is a processor error. How do I resolve?

Hi.first pull-out your motherboard in the CPU case then power on without memory only processor installed.if you hear continuous beeping your motherboard is working good.
try this beep code means.

No beep means short,no power,bad CPU,loose peripherals.
One beep means everything is normal running motherboard.
Two beep means CMOS error IC.
One long beep,one short beep means motherboard problem.
One long beep,two short beeps means video card problem.
Three long beeps means keyboard error.
Repeated long beeps means memory error.
Continuous hi-lo beeps means CPU overheating.

Hope can help you.

1 short beep and 1 long beep Memory problem 2 short beeps and 1 long beep (repeats 5 times) Unable to initialize video or video card required but not installed 3 short beeps and 1 long beep CPU configuration error or CPU type is not compatible The following beep codes are common to many HP and Compaq desktop computers that can occur while restoring, flashing or updating the BIOS : Beeps Description 1 short beep Legacy floppy drive or CD/DVD drive not detected 2 short beeps Floppy diskette or compact disc not detected 3 short beeps Unable to start flashing (such as when missing a utility or BIOS image) 4 short beeps Flashing failed (checksum error, corrupted image, etc.) 5 short beeps BIOS recovery successful

Hello
Usually this kind of beep code is an indication of a cpu or processor heat problem.
Make sure the processor fan is running by opening up the case and looking at it.

Also try claening out the inside of the pc,you can use a can of compressed air and a vacum cleaner for this.If the processor fan is not working get a new one,it should always be on when the pc is on.

Five long beeps for a modern motherboards indicates a processor failure. If you wish to remove the processor and re-seat it (reconnect it to see if it begins to work again) make sure to get some thermal compound to put between the CPU chip and the heatsink. More info at: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/How-To-Correctly-Apply-Thermal-Grease/274
POST AMI BIOS beep codes

• 1 - Memory refresh timer error
• 2 - Parity error in base memory (first 64 KiB block)
• 3 - Base memory read/write test error
• 4 - Mother board timer not operational (check all PSU to MB connectors seated)
• 5 - Processor failure
• 6 - 8042 Gate A20 test error (cannot switch to protected mode)
• 7 - General exception error (processor exception interrupt error)
• 8 - Display memory error (system video adapter)
• 9 - AMI BIOS ROM checksum error
• 10 - CMOS shutdown register read/write error
• 11 - Cache memory test failed
• 12 - Mother board does not detect a RAM module (continuous beeping)

Source: Wikipedia

It depends on the motherboard model, but here is an example of the error codes for a gateway:
Beeps Error Message Description 1 Refresh Failure The memory refresh circuitry on the motherboard is faulty. 2 ECC Error Error Checking and Correction (ECC) is supported on this product. 3 Base 64 KB Memory Failure Memory Failure in the first 64 kilobytes (KB). 4 Timer Not Operational Memory Failure in the first 64 KB, or Timer 1 on the motherboard is not functioning. 5 Processor Error Ther processor on the motherboard generated an error. 6 8042 - Gate A20 Failure The keyboard controller, 8042, may be bad. The basic input/output system (BIOS) cannot switch to protected mode. 7 Processor Exception Interrupt Error The processor generated an exception interrupt. 8 Display Memory Read/Write Error The computer video adapter is either missing or its memory is faulty. This is not a fatal error. 9 ROM Checksum Error Read-only memory (ROM) checksum value does not match the value encoded in BIOS. 10 CMOS Shutdown Register Rd/Wrt Error The shutdown register for complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) random access memory (RAM) failed.

I don't understand the beep code you describe, but the 2850 has many beep codes to help understand what is going on.

First ... Identify the beep. Does the beep start as soon as you power it on, or after several seconds? What is the pattern of the beep - is it a repeating set of beeps - 3 sets of beeps between 1 and 4 beeps ... like 1 beep-3 beeps-2 beeps, or 3 beeps, 3 beeps, 1 beep? Or is it a steady repeating beep - about once per second?

Second ... is the LCD panel on the server blue or orange? If orange, what is the error code(s) it is scrolling?

If it is a steady, once-per-second beep, it is probably your RAID controller. Does the system boot to Windows/OS ok? If so, use (or install) OpenManage Server Administrator (Managed Node from Dell's Support Site) to check the Hardware Logs and check the RAID array (under Storage/Virtual Disks). If it is not booting to the OS, then go into CTRL-M to see what the status of your array is.

Hi John. If you already swaped the Memory, it's the video card. I'm giving you what the beep means according to the different types of BIOS, because basically Ascent is a clone PC. I hope it helps.
(you will have to open the computer to see the BIOS type.)

BIOS AWARD

1 long beep and 2 shorts -- Video error
2 short beeps -- non-fatal error.
1 beep corto -- OK.

BIOS AMI

1 short beep -- Memory error.
2 short beeps -- ECC error.
3 short beeps -- Memory error.
4 short beeps -- change atery
5 beeps cortos -- bad processor.
6 beeps cortos -- bad keyboard.
7 beeps cortos -- video memory bad.
8 beeps cortos -- video bad.
BIOS PHOENIX

1-1-2 beeps -- Problem with cpu/motherboard.
1-1-3 beeps -- Cmos issue.
3-4-1 beeps -- Video issue.

BIOS IBM

1 short beep -- Post normal, ok!.
2 short beeps -- POST error, will show on screen.
NO beep -- CPU issue or Expansion card issue
1 long and 1 short -- motherboard error.
1 long and 2 shorts -- Video issue.
1 long and 3 shorts --EGA video issue.
3 longs -- Keyboard error.

I think the graphics card has become unseated as the PC does not need a monitor to start up so there would be no beeps; Here is a list of beep codes with there meanings.
BEEP CODE MEANING POSSIBLE CAUSE
1 Beep (No video) Memory refresh failure Bad memory
2 Beeps Memory parity error Bad memory
3 Beeps Base 64K mem failure Bad memory
4 Beeps Timer not operational Bad motherboard
5 Beeps Processor error Bad processor
6 Beeps 8042 Gate A20 failure Bad CPU or Motherboard
7 Beeps Processor exception Bad processor
8 Beeps Video memory error Bad video card or memory
9 Beeps ROM checksum error Bad BIOS
10 Beeps CMOS checksum error Bad motherboard
11 Beeps Cache memory bad Bad CPU or motherboard

It all depends how many beeps there were.
From http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12253_div/12253_div.HTML
Diagnostic LED Explanation Table Number of 1-second red LED blinks followed by 2-second pause, then repeats:
2-processor thermal protection activated
3-processor not installed
4-power supply failure
5-memory error
6-video error
7-PCA failure (ROM detected failure prior to video)
8-invalid ROM, bootblock recover mode

I have only really come across 4 beeps = order new Power Supply or 5 Beeps = reseat the memory and hope it works

Regards,

Oli

Do you get video? If so then it could be a stuck key on the keyboard.

Do you get no video? If so then reseat the RAM.