PC Speaker sounds when machine locks up

PC Speaker sounds when machine locks up

What would cause my PC speaker to sound a low frequency continuous tone as my system locks up? Generally what will happen is I'll notice the application I'm using will stop responding but explorer will be partially responsive, then after a few more actions explorer stops responding, and the last click will cause the pc speaker to emit a low constant tone as the machine locks up completely. The only resolve at that point is to restart.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 270

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Guest [Entry]

I've discovered this exact same issue. However, I've discovered it on three different computers all protected with a program called Deep Freeze, which prevents users (patrons in public libraries) from making any changes to the computers. On one computer, the machine was "frozen" for approximately 2 weeks before the exact symptoms you described started. On another computer (at an entirely different library), it was about 4 weeks, with the third about 5-6 weeks. With Deep Freeze, NO changes will stick, so I am positive that software hadn't been added/changed. The workstations were working fine until the symptoms showed up, after which time the symptoms became permanent in spite of Deep Freeze. Using various methods, I was able to confirm that the hardware on all of the workstations was NOT the cause. The only resolution was to re-image the workstation hard drives from identical computers. So far, I have no cause other than to say that the updates that were done on the workstations the last time they were "thawed" included: Microsoft Updates (my prime suspect), Adobe Reader update to v9.3.1, and a smattering of other lesser program updates unlikely to be the cause. If anyone else has this issue, I hope these observations help.