I have very little computer knowldge, so there probably is a simple solution to my problem that I just havnt thought of but hopefully you guys can help.
Last night I shut down my computer as normal, today when I went to turn on my computer it seemed to start like normal, made all the right noises etc.. for about 4 seconds then the power light that should be green flashes red 5 times with 5 beeps for 5 seconds stops for 3 seconds then flashes and beeps again and again and again..... the fan is on and the monitor says no signal.

I've disconnected all the hardware one by one and all together and no change

The lights and the beeps are specific instances to what ails your computer. If you post the name and model of the computer I will look up what it says that the problem is!

There are numerous causes of computer start-up failure. It is a good idea to try turning on your computer again and listen to beep sound it might make; beeps refer to certain errors which may be present on your computer, the beeps serves as the messenger of computer start-u errors.

The series of beeps may be a single beep, prolonged beeps, several longs or short beeps. The nonstop single beeps or the fast reiterating beeps means that there is a problem with the motherboard; it could be short circuit or problems with the power cable. One to three short beeps would mean that the memory of your computer could have problems. One lengthy beep which is followed by two more or three short beeps could mean that the video graphic cards have problems. With the problems on cards like video and graphics cards as well as memory, you may try removing the card from the motherboard, cleaning it with a rubbery material, like erasers, and then try placing them again, then make an attempt on turning your computer again.

If the following instructions do not solve the problem, try reconnecting and checking the wiring that is connected to the motherboards and hard drives.

It's a HP workstation xw8200
Power Unit: Delta Electronics Inc. Model:- DPS-600NB A
HD: Samsung Serial ATA Model:- HD160JJ/P
Dual 3.2 GHz Xeon processors;
NVidia Quadro 1300;
3G RAM;
WinXP Professional SP2;
Wireless Linksys Network card.

From the manual download @

HP xw8200 Workstation*-* Manuals (guides, supplements, addendums, etc) - HP Business Support Center


Light flashes red 5 times then pauses 2 seconds then has 5 beeps says that your memory modules need to be checked and or replaced or that your motherboard has gone out...

I would opt for the memory modules to be bad.

Remove all power sources and external cables/connections
Open side panel
ground yourself to the unfinished frame of the computer case.
Look for the memory modules...usually long slim circuit boards inserted into sockets toward the back of the motherboard behind the CPU/fan/heatsink.

To remove ...there are locks on each end...press down on the lock tabs and the boards should raise up. Remove the boards and wipe the connectors with a clean cloth being careful not to snag on the connectors. Replace the boards and restart you computer.

If that doesn't fix the problem then remove each card and try to start the computer with only one stick in position. Still doesn't work...switch the removed ram modules...and try again.

If it works then you need to replace the removed module with a like type...you donot need to increase the ram amount as xp is about limited to the 3 gigs that you have installed.

Hope this helps you out.

To DanielGray..

FYI...while you are right about the generalities of beep codes you must remember that there are no generalities of beep codes... meaning that all beep and light codes are specific to the BIOS and or computer that is being used...Each one is designed by the computer manufacturer for their needs and does not reflect the conditions of other manufacturers in any way.

While it was true that beep codes were distinquished by the brand of installed BIOS chips.... that is not the case anymore as the BIOS chips now in use today are easily programed by the engineers of the computer manufacturer and are only standard to the computer....with the exceptions that some chips in lower end computer systems still rely on the installed BIOS chip manufacturer set of codes.

It is best policy to check the manual!

WOW! Thanks so much Lurkswithin your an absolute Ledgend.
I removed all the ram cleaned it put it back in and hey presto. Good man yourself. thanks and thanks again.