Compaq Presaio S4200NX displays Compaq Splash Screen then a single continuous beep with but nothing else.

Sounds like it is not seeing a bootable device, maybe bad hard drive, could be a bad setting in bios. Click here for tech support

It is possible that the memory sticks(RAM) are busted or cannot be read anymore. If you have multiple memory sticks, try isolating the damaged memory stick by using 1 memory stick at a time and try starting your computer up. Once you have found the busted one, try replacing it with a new one.

Hope this helps!

replace the ram

Hard Drive is bad and probably needs to be replaced.
Good Luck...

The first question is, are you attempting to boot from your CD ROM and if so why? I need to understand more about what is happening before I attempt to answer your problem. Are you attempting to fix a problem or re-install your operating system? Do you always boot from a CD and if so, why not the hard drive? Is the same operating system installed on both your laptop and your desktop?

most likely the ram needs to be reseatedor replaced.

Hi Tom,

Nice of you to do a direct "Ask Me"

Initially, the model is one I am not familiar with. But, a Compaq is a Compaq and a laptop is a laptop. Based on your description:
an IRQ and/or a hardware problem.

You could try (temporarily): removing the battery and using the laptop on AC adapter/charger only; removing any or all of the add-on cards; switching/removing any of the memories; removing connector of built-in touchpad and/or removing FDD/CD.

On all of the above, I would suspect either the battery or the touchpad more.

Incidentally, may I inquire where locally were you able to acquire the keyboards. I have need for two (2), both for Compaq Presario 2100s.

Good luck and Thank you for using FixYa. Happy Holidays.

If it won't go past the splash screen, and you have replaced the CPU, I agree that it is probably the motherboard.
One other test you can do is, remove the memory chips, and any cards that are plugged it, and see if it beeps on start up.
If it does, count the beeps. If it doesn't it is the motherboard.
If you get beeps, plug the memory back in, and try again. Listen for beeps. Let us know what you find.

And I don't know if Compaq's do this (Dells do) when you turn it on, do the fans spin up normally? Or does it sound like a small jet? Speaking of which, do you see the fans spin up at all?

you could try booting on battery instead of mains and see what happens, also could the screen be switched off ? If you have access to another monitor, you could try plugging it in to see if the video output is ok. ( some laptops have a facility to switch off the screen display for security etc )

Sounds like the PC is running into a hardware failure and the Compaq splash screen is probably hiding some additional information. It?s been a long time since I've owned a Compaq, however, what you need to do first is eliminate the Compaq screen to show us whatever boot details it may be hiding. I seem to recall on my old Compaq (and most Dells) I had to disable the Compaq screen in the BIOS settings. Hitting the F10 key as soon as the Compaq screen appears I believe will get you into the BIOS program, however, be warned if you change anything in there by accident you will be causing yourself a world of trouble. After you get into there you want to look for the Boot selection of the menu. In there somewhere will be a setting referring to something similar to ?reveal boot details? or hide splash or Compaq screen?. If it isn?t obvious let me know, I?ll have access to an older Compaq with a similar BIOS and can give you more details. If you are able to disable the splash screen reboot the PC and watch for errors. Based on the age of the machine and past history I suspect you?ll find a boot disk or read error.