What to do when beep codes occur
Listen to the beeping sound and write down the number of beeps before each pause, if the beeps are long or short, or if the beeps high or low in tone. Once a pattern is determined, use the following beep code table to identify which component might be causing the problem: Use these codes to help troubleshoot problems related to system start-up or flashing BIOS memory (such as in BIOS upgrades). When troubleshooting further, refer to the section What to do when beep codes occur .
Four series of beeps indicate a fatal error; that is, a problem exists which prevents the computer from starting. For example, there might be two beeps, a short pause, one beep, a short pause, one beep, a short pause, and then three beeps; this is represented as:
Four series of beeps indicate a fatal error; that is, a problem exists which prevents the computer from starting. For example, there might be two beeps, a short pause, one beep, a short pause, one beep, a short pause, and then three beeps; this is represented as:
1 short beep and 1 long beep : Memory problem
2 short beeps and 1 long beep (repeats 5 times) : Unable to initialize video or video card required but not installed
3 short beeps and 1 long beep : CPU configuration error or CPU type is not compatible
The following beep codes can occur while restoring, flashing or updating the BIOS:
1short beep : Legacy floppy drive or CD/DVD drive not detected
2short beeps : Floppy diskette or compact disc not detected
3short beeps : Unable to start flashing (such as when missing a utility or BIOS image)
4short beeps : Flashing failed (checksum error, corrupted image, etc.)
5short beeps : BIOS recovery successful
Perform the following steps to resolve beeping issues. Before starting a task, turn off the computer, and then remove the power cord. After completing a task, replace any covers, reconnect the power cord, turn on the computer, and then listen for a beep code.
* Remove any media from the floppy drives, CD/DVD drives, USB ports, and memory card reader slots, and disconnect all non-essential devices (printers, scanners, external hard drives, and similar).
* Disconnect the mouse and keyboard, and then restart the computer. If the beeping sound stops, repair or replace those devices.
* Hot air can damage internal components! Remove any obstructions that block vents. Clean the cooling vents on the case to remove dust. If cooling fans stop spinning or make strange noises, service the computer.
* Remove the memory cover, and then re-seat all memory modules. If the computer stops beeping, a memory module might not have been fully seated or connected.
If the computer has multiple memory modules, turn on the computer with only one memory module installed. If the computer stops beeping, the memory module might be defective, or might be the wrong type of memory for the motherboard. Reinsert the memory into the socket to see if a connection was the problem; otherwise replace the module. Repeat this process for all memory modules installed in the computer If all of the above steps have been tried and the beeping sound still exists, refer to beep code table specific to the motherboard of the computer
Beep codes for American Megatrends, Inc (AMI) bios.
The following AMI beep codes can occur when there is a problem during the attempt of a normal system start-up. Use these codes to help troubleshoot problems related to system start-up. When troubleshooting further.
1 beep : Memory timing failure
2 beeps : Memory parity error
3beeps : Memory read or write failure
4, 5, 6, 7 : Fatal errors related to the operation of critical motherboard components - such as the CPU.
8 beeps : Video memory
AMI beep codes that can occur when attempting to flash or recover the BIOS. You can use these codes to help troubleshoot problems related to system start-up or flashing BIOS memory (such as in BIOS upgrades).
1beep : No media detected
2beeps : ROM file not found in root directory
3beeps : Insert next media volume
4beeps : Flash Programming successful
5beeps : Failure while reading file
7beeps : Flash EPROM not detected
10beeps : Failure while erasing flash memory
11beeps : Flash program error
12beeps : Problem with ROM file size
13beeps : ROM image does not match BIOS requirements
Beep codes for Phoenix BIOS
Four series of beeps indicate a fatal error; that is, a problem exists which prevents the computer from starting. For example, there might be two beeps, a short pause, one beep, a short pause, one beep, a short pause, and then three beeps.
eps | Post Code | Description of failure |
One short beep | 0 | POST process completed successfully - normal startup |
1-1-1-3 | 02h | Verify real mode |
1-1-2-1 | 04h | Get CPU type |
1-1-2-3 | 06h | Initialize system hardware |
1-1-3-1 | 08h | Initialize chipset registers with initial POST values |
1-1-3-2 | 09h | Set in POST flag |
1-1-3-3 | 0Ah | Initialize CPU registers |
1-1-4-1 | 0Ch | Initialize cache to initial POST values |
1-1-4-3 | 0Eh | Initialize I/O |
1-2-1-1 | 10h | Initialize Power Management |
1-2-1-2 | 11h | Load alternate registers with initial POST values |
1-2-1-3 | 12h | Jump to UserPatch0 |
1-2-2-1 | 14h | Initialize keyboard controller |
1-2-2-3 | 16h | BIOS ROM checksum |
1-2-3-1 | 18h | 8254 timer initialization |
1-2-3-3 | 1Ah | 8237 DMA controller initialization |
1-2-4-1 | 1Ch | Reset Programmable Interrupt Controller |
1-3-1-1 | 20h | Test DRAM refresh |
1-3-1-3 | 22h | Test 8742 Keyboard Controller |
1-3-2-1 | 24h | Set ES segment register to 4 GB |
1-3-3-1 | 28h | Autosize DRAM |
1-3-3-3 | 2Ah | Clear 512K base RAM |
1-3-4-1 | 2Ch | Test 512 base address lines |
1-3-4-3 | 2Eh | Test 512K base memory |
1-4-1-3 | 32h | Test CPU bus-clock frequency |
1-4-2-1 | 34h | CMOS RAM read/write failure |
1-4-2-4 | 37h | Reinitialize the chipset |
1-4-3-1 | 38h | Shadow system BIOS ROM |
1-4-3-2 | 39h | Reinitialize the cache |
1-4-3-3 | 3Ah | Autosize cache |
1-4-4-1 | 3Ch | Configure advanced chipset registers |
1-4-4-2 | 3Dh | Load alternate registers with CMOS values |
2-1-1-1 | 40h | Set Initial CPU speed |
2-1-1-3 | 42hs | Initialize interrupt vector |
2-1-2-1 | 44h | Initialize BIOS interrupts |
2-1-2-3 | 46h | Check ROM copyright notice |
2-1-2-4 | 47h | Initialize manager for PCI Options ROMs |
2-1-3-1 | 48h | Check video configuration against CMOS |
2-1-3-2 | 49h | Initialize PCI bus and devices |
2-1-3-3 | 4Ah | Initialize all video adapters in system |
2-1-4-1 | 4Ch | Shadow video BIOS ROM |
2-1-4-3 | 4Eh | Display copyright notice |
2-2-1-1 | 50h | Display CPU type and speed |
2-2-1-3 | 52h | Test keyboard |
2-2-2-1 | 54h | Set key click if enabled |
2-2-2-3 | 56h | Enable keyboard |
2-2-3-1 | 58h | Test for unexpected interrupts |
2-2-3-3 | 5Ah | Display prompt "Press F2 to enter SETUP" |
2-2-4-1 | 5Ch | Test RAM between 512 and 640k |
2-3-1-1 | 60h | Test expanded memory |
2-3-1-3 | 62h | Test extended memory address lines |
2-3-2-1 | 64h | Jump to UserPatch1 |
2-3-2-3 | 66h | Configure advanced cache registers |
2-3-3-1 | 68h | Enable external and CPU caches |
2-3-3-2 | 69h | Initialize SMI handler |
2-3-3-3 | 6Ah | Display external cache size |
2-3-4-1 | 6Ch | Display shadow message |
2-3-4-3 | 6Eh | Display non-disposable segments |
2-4-1-1 | 70h | Display error messages |
2-4-1-3 | 72h | Check for configuration errors |
2-4-2-1 | 74h | Test real-time clock |
2-4-2-3 | 76h | Check for keyboard errors |
2-4-4-1 | 7Ch | Set up hardware interrupts vectors |
2-4-4-3 | 7Eh | Test coprocessor if present |
3-1-1-1 | 80h | Disable onboard I/O ports |
3-1-1-3 | 82h | Detect and install external RS232 ports |
3-1-2-1 | 84h | Detect and install external parallel ports |
3-1-2-3 | 86h | Re-initialize onboard I/O ports |
3-1-3-1 | 88h | Initialize BIOS data area |
3-1-3-3 | 8Ah | Initialize extended BIOS data area |
3-1-4-1 | 8Ch | Initialize floppy controller |
3-2-1-1 | 90h | Initialize hard-disk controller |
3-2-1-2 | 91h | Initialize local-bus hard-disk controller |
3-2-1-3 | 92h | Jump to UserPatch2 |
3-2-2-1 | 94h | Disable A20 address line |
3-2-2-3 | 96h | Clear huge ES segment register |
3-2-3-1 | 98h | Search for option ROMs |
3-2-3-3 | 9Ah | Shadow option ROMs |
3-2-4-1 | 9Ch | Set up Power Management |
3-2-4-3 | 9Eh | Enable hardware interrupts |
3-3-1-1 | A0h | Set time of day |
3-3-1-3 | A2h | Check key lock |
3-3-3-1 | A8h | Erase F2 prompt |
3-3-3-3 | Aah | Scan for F2 key stroke |
3-3-4-1 | AChP | Enter SETUP |
3-3-4-3 | Aeh | Clear in-POST flag |
3-4-1-1 | B0h | Check for errors |
3-4-1-3 | B2h | POST done--prepare to boot operating system |
3-4-2-1 | B4h | One beep |
3-4-2-3 | B6h | Check password (optional) |
3-4-3-1 | B8h | Clear global descriptor table |
3-4-4-1 | BCh | Clear parity checkers |
3-4-4-3 | Beh | Clear screen (optional) |
3-4-4-4 | BFh | Check virus and backup reminders |
4-1-1-1 | C0h | Try to boot with INT 19 |
4-2-1-1 | D0h | Interrupt handler error |
4-2-1-3 | D2h | Unknown interrupt error |
4-2-2-1 | D4h | Pending interrupt error |
4-2-2-3 | D6h | Initialize option ROM error |
4-2-3-1 | D8h | Shutdown error |
4-2-3-3 | Dah | Extended Block Move |
4-2-4-1 | DCh | Shutdown error |
4-2-4-3 | Deh | Keyboard Controller Failure |
4-3-1-3 | E2h | Initialize the chipset |
4-3-1-4 | E3h | Initialize refresh counter |
4-3-2-1 | E4h | Check for Forced Flash |
4-3-2-2 | E5h | Check HW status of ROM |
4-3-2-3 | E6h | BIOS ROM is OK |
4-3-2-4 | E7h | Do a complete RAM test |
4-3-3-1 | E8h | Do OEM initialization |
4-3-3-2 | E9h | Initialize interrupt controller |
4-3-3-3 | Eah | Read in bootstrap code |
4-3-3-4 | Ebh | Initialize all vectors |
4-3-4-1 | Ech | Boot the Flash program |
4-3-4-2 | Edh | Initialize the boot device |
4-3-4-3 | Eeh | Boot code was read OK |