The motherboard is one of the most expensive parts of a computer system and it is where the brains of the computer is connected, the CPU. Motherboards have built in diagnostics that result in either normal operation and the computer boots up or an abnormal condition which prevents it from continuing. The result of the self-diagnostics routines are a series of beeps that you hear when the computer begins to start up and an abnormal condition would have more than one beeps or a combination of beeps. For those boards with an AMD Bios here are a few tips regarding their meaning. As with anything electronic, many manufacturers have many different combinations so do check with the board manufacturer for more info. 1 to 3 short beeps in quick succession and any other beep combination can mean that something is wrong with the memory modules. You either reseat them or replace them. 4, 5, 7 and 9 beeps can mean that the motherboard itself or the processor is bad and must be replaced. And 1 long plus 2 short beeps means that the video controller is at fault status and has to be either re-seated or replaced with a new one.