DETECTING PC HARDWARE FAILURE BY ITS BEEP CODE

AMI BIOS FATAL ERROR BEEP CODES

• 1 beep : DRAM refreshing fails. Try to reset the memory first. If the error still occurs, replace the memory with known good chips.
• 2 beeps : Parity error in first 64K RAM. Try to reset the memory first. If the error still occurs, replace the memory with known good chips.
• 3 beeps : Base 64K RAM failure. Try to reset the memory first. If the error still occurs, replace the memory with known good chips.
• 4 beeps : System timer fails.
• 5 beeps : Process fails.
• 6 beeps : Keyboard controller 8042 - Gate A20 is error. Try to reset the keyboard controller chip. If the error still occurs, replace the keyboard chip. If the error persists, check parts of the system relating to the keyboard, e.g. try another keyboard, check to see if the system has a keyboard fuse.
• 7 beeps : Processor virtual mode exception interrupt error.
• 8 beeps : Display memory read/write failure (non-fatal). Replace the video card or the memory on the video card.
• 9 beeps : ROM BIOS checksum (32KB at F800:0) failed. It is not likely that this error can be corrected by reseating the chips. Consult the motherboard supplier or an AMI product distributor for replacement parts.
• 10 beeps : CMOS shutdown register read/write error.
• 11 beeps : cache memory error.

AMI BIOS NON - FATAL ERROR BEEP CODES

• 2 short : POST failure - one or more of the hardware tests has failed.
• 1 long 2 short : An error was encountered in the video BIOS ROM, or a horizontal retracing failure has been encountered.
• 1 long 3 short : Conventional/extended memory failure.
• 1 long 8 short : Display/retrace test failed.
  

AWARD BIOS BEEP CODES

• 1 short : No error during POST.
• 2 short : Any - non fatal error, enter CMOS setup to reset.
• 1 long 1 short : RAM or motherboard error.
• 1 long 2 short : Video error, cannot initialize screen to display any information.
• 1 long 3 short : Keyboard controller error.
• 1 long 9 short : Flash RAM/EPROM (which on the motherboard) error. (BIOS error)
• Long beep : Memory bank is not plugged well or broken.
  

IBM BIOS BEEP CODES

• No beeps : No power, loose card or short.
• 1 short beep : Normal POST, computer is ok.
• 2 short beep : POST error, review screen for error code.
• Continuous beep : No power, loose card or short.
• Repeating short beep : No power, loose card or short.
• 1 long and 1 short beep : Motherboard issue.
• 1 long and 2 short beeps : Video (mono/CGA display circuitry) issue.
• 1 long and 3 short beeps : Video (EGA) display circuitry.
• 3 long beeps : Keyboard/keyboard card error.
• 1 beep, black or incorrect display : Video display circuitry.

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