I think I have a power supply problem, but if so where are the beeps coming from? I read both the above articles, but there may be an additional complication.

Event #1:  BSOD
ATI3diag.dll - Address BFA74F65 base at BFA2000, Date Stamp 00000000
0x00008E (0xC0000005, 0xBFA74F65, 0xB8D2E4, 0x00000000)
Then it did a MEMORY dump. Then nothing. I shut it down and let it sit for a couple of days.

Event #2: BSOD
0x0000008E (0xC000000t5, 0x3BOF4FA4, 0XBA1A247C, 0X00000000)
Disable driver or check with manufacturer for driver updates, TRY changing video adapters, check for BIOS updates, disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing.
Then it did a memory dump. Then nothing. I shut it down and let it sit for awhile.

There were several days between the first two events where I did use my DESKTOP a couple of times, not having time to research the problem then forgetting about the first BSOD (life happens). Event #2 occurred about 10 hours ago.

Event #3:
I turned on the computer but it didn't do anything. (REFERENCED CH000607): if you press the power button and nothing happens (no lights, no sound, no fans, etc.) then this issue is not a NO POST but is an power related issue see document CH000312, which I did.

Now here is where I got confused. If there were no lights or fans or start-up sounds because the power supply is bad (I did check power connection), how am I hearing (very faintly) these weird beeps? What is powering them? I don't think they are the "normal" kind of error beeps, either, which I thought were just a single tone in a repeating pattern. They actually are two different tones--like the British ambulances you hear in the movies--TA-da, TA-da, TA-da. What does *that* mean?

Do I actually have two totally different problems here? Video adapter (I'm guessing that's what the BSODs were from) and power supply failing at the same time?

Confirmation or other possibilities, please? I'm no guru (hah) and have no access to spare parts to be swapping in and out. I'll have to take it somewhere for repair if it's just the power supply, although I can install a new video card myself if necessary. I'd just like to have a good idea what I'm dealing with before dragging this heavy thing somewhere. This thing is not new (Aug 2004) but having bought a ThinkPad not too terribly long ago, hubby (totally electronically-challenged and happily so) is going to fuss if I mention the words "new computer."  (His favorite place to shop is the thrift store, but I'm pretty sure he isn't going to find anything for me there. lol)

Thanks for your patience if you've managed to read this far without tearing your hair out. I've been working on this since Event #3 and it's now 5:21 AM. I'm brain-dead and going to bed.

Shirley
Windows XP, SP3
Custom built (not by me!)
AMD XP 2600+
BioStar M7VIW motherbd
VIA Technologies system model VT8366-8235
Phoenix BIOS, SMBIOS Version 2.2
738 MB RAM
8x ATI Radeon 9200 AGP video card
7200 RPM hard drive
Legacy sound,
450 watt power
Sometimes only a part of the power supply will go bad [power to the video card, for instance] but the motherboard will still get it's power and hence the sounds.

It seems the only sure way to diagnose the issue it swapping out the power supply to begin with.

Wish I could be of more encouragement but sometimes it's just swapping parts that you can get to resolve an issue.

Alan <><  Power down, reseat your video card to start, make sure houskeeping is good....no dust.....reseat memory....confirm the heatsink is flush to the motherboard.... make sure the CPU fan is working.......After all this and no joy , swap your power supply for a known good supply....... Power supply swap is an easy fix, just watch a youtube video on the subject and see if you can handle it.......Remember to practice ESD(static) procedures...touch the case before you touch a component inside. Thanks for the suggestions ale 52 and Karnac. I may get some help on the power supply thing. Depends on whether it would be cheaper to buy another PS or pay for professional help to do the dirty work for me. 

I'm leaving on a trip today, but when I return next week I'll do the housekeeping things you suggested. As for the CPU fan--how do I know if it is working? When I tried to start up, there seemed to be nothing working. No sound at all except for the funny beeps, and they were really faint--had to put my ear to the case to be sure I was actually hearing something from the computer.

This is not my week. My color copier died, too. Sigh.

Shirley