What could this be? Odd (possible) computer problem

Ok, so today, I've heard several time this loud beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ep (Like the sound when you are constantly holding down a wrong key in windows). It would stop before I could figure it out. Well, this evening, I figured out it was coming from the office. It sounded like it was coming from the other laptop (connected to the regular PC monitor because the screen is busted) which was on standby. I thought something was just messing up on it, so I turned it back on and shut it down completely. Then, I heard it again. Turns out it was coming from the old PC which hasn't even been turned on in years... probably 5+. So, I unplugged it completely. When I caught it making the noise, the power on button on the front (on the tower) was coming on and going off like it was being turned on, but it couldn't power up. The noise lasted about 30 secs.

Honestly, I'm so freaked out about this, I've left the tv on and a light on out in the living room area and I'm leaving my bathroom light on here in the bedroom. Silly, I know, but really!? What could this be? I tried googling, but couldn't find anything...

Any computer peeps in here who would know? Oh, it's probably a Windows 98 machine if that makes a difference.

And now I've just heard a noise (bump) outside the bedroom.... oy.

There is a battery on every motherboard, a little round one, CR2032 I think. It keeps time on the computer while it's disconnected. It's quite possible that it's going dead and just letting you know. Nothing to worry too much about.

Mine in my office 2 years ago did it very random..My hard drive was dying and it was trying to tell me.  Dell came out replaced my drive and I never heard it again...
I would have it checked and BACK UP documents you want to keep JUST in case.

Honestly, I'm so freaked out about this, I've left the tv on and a light on out in the living room area and I'm leaving my bathroom light on here in the bedroom. Silly, I know, but really!?

And now I've just heard a noise (bump) outside the bedroom.... oy.

I'm pretty sure this is how I would react to the same situation.  When anything unusual happens, for some reason the first assumption for me is ghosts. 

Thanks for the responses, everyone (and the reassurance I'm not the only one NoseOverTail!) I'm hoping it's what Leah said. I honestly haven't used it in years. I can't imagine anything has changed to make the hard drive fail. BUT if there's a battery randomly in there, I can see that dying now since it's 10 years old! I've been waiting till pay day to get a new External HD. My other one is full! I've been meaning to back up the stuff on there for a while now, so I guess this is just the "other world" reminding me to do so.

Though, I have to add... I woke up at 3 ish this morning and there was this rustling sound in a plastic bag I have in my bedroom. I looked in it and couldn't see anything so I went and dumped it in the bathtub. Thank goodness I did because there was this weird jumping bug in there!!! I couldn't see what it was before I washed it down the drain!!! Geesh. Usually I'm fine, but every so often I scare myself like that! lol

I am the same as you Gottaget, with noises and thinking they are ghosts!  I am fascinated by the idea of them but I do not *ever* want to come face to face with one!

I am the same as you Gottaget, with noises and thinking they are ghosts!  I am fascinated by the idea of them but I do not *ever* want to come face to face with one!

I'm such a dork! I'm the same way,  but I kept thinking last night, if there were a ghost, it's just the spirit of a person.. not a monster. Plus, Melinda (on Ghost Whisperer ) was always so brave! I could be too! I know it sounds so silly in the light of day, but in the dark last night it really helped! lol