BIOS Beep Codes - What Do They Mean?
Sometimes computers can be mystifying. One of the more obscure things that users experience from time to time are the BIOS Beep codes from their motherboards.
BIOS Beep codes are audible alarms from the motherboard's BIOS that try to alert the user to different system errors or conditions. If your computer is having trouble booting and you hear different beeps coming from your computer speaker, you just might want to take a look at the lists below and see if they can help.
AMI BIOS Beeps Warning Recommendations A DRAM refresh failure has occurred Try re-seating the memory first. If the error still occurs, replace the memory with known good chips. Parity Circuit Failure Base 64K RAM failure System Timer Failure Send System Board in for Repair Processor Failure Make sure that the processor is installed correctly with all of the proper jumpers set. Keyboard Controller/Gate A20 Failure Try re-seating 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. Virtual Mode Exception Error Send System Board in for Repair Display Memory Read/Write Failure Indicates a memory error on the video adapter. Try re-seating the video card. If it still beeps, try replacing the video card or the memory on the video card. ROM BIOS Checksum Failure Indicates faulty BIOS chip(s). It is not likely that this error can be corrected by re-seating the chips. Consult the motherboard supplier or an AMI product distributor for replacement part(s). CMOS Shutdown Register Read/Write Error Send System Board in for Repair Award BIOS Beeps Number of Beeps Warning Recommendations 1 extended beep, followed by 2 short beeps Video failure Reseat the video board - replace if board is determined to be faulty. 1 extended beep, followed by 3 short beeps Video failure 1 long beep POST passed Other BIOS Manufacturers In some cases, you may have a computer with a different BIOS from those listed above. If that is the case, there is an excellent website maintained at http://www.bioscentral.com that might be able to help.
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