Computer beeps or what the BIOS is beeping about. Computer beeps or what the BIOS beeps about POST diagnostic programs and computer beeps
Sometimes a situation may arise when the user hears 3 long BIOS beeps during boot, and the computer does not boot after that. In this case, there is an error that the system detected during the initial POST procedure for testing the equipment.
In the BIOS of various manufacturers, similar Announcement issued in the event of various emergency situations. Let's briefly list some systems in which you can hear 3 long BIOS beeps at boot:
- IBM BIOS
In this system, three long beeps from the BIOS tell the user that a fault has been found on the motherboard. A similar message can be issued with a faulty keyboard controller, as well as with a poorly inserted RAM module.
- Award BIOS
As in the case of BIOS from IBM, Award BIOS in a similar way warns the user about a keyboard controller error.
- AMI BIOS
Message generated by AMI BIOS on test error random access memory. May be caused by improper installation of the memory module in the slot.
The BIOS of other manufacturers does not provide for such a combination of signals.
If such a BIOS signal is received, first of all, you should try to understand whether the situation is of random origin, or is it really the result of a malfunction of any element of the motherboard. There is only one way to check this - to boot the computer again by pressing the Reset button. If the system speaker is still beeping, then the problem is most likely a faulty hardware and not a BIOS glitch.
In the event that RAM is the source of the problem (for example, if the computer is equipped with BIOS from AMI), you can try to pull out and inspect the RAM modules, and, if necessary, clean them of dust. Then you should try to insert the modules back, trying to make sure that the modules sit as tightly as possible in the slots. If you hear three beeps again after restarting your computer, then you should consider replacing the failed memory module. In the event of a keyboard controller malfunction, the user will in most cases have to change motherboard.
Good day ... With each new inclusion personal computer starts automatic program POST (Power-On-Self-Test) self-test diagnostics. Which is “recorded” in the BIOS ROM.In this short post, I would like to give some examples of tables decoding PC signals.
To get started, in order to use these tables, you will need to find out the BIOS manufacturer of your motherboard. Finding out the BIOS manufacturer is quite simple, you need to go into the BIOS itself (description below) and find the manufacturer's signature.
A few words about the POST diagnostic program - this program performs a check of all the most important components of a personal computer, such as: monitoring the health of the processor, CMOS, motherboard supporting chips, and of course performs a quick test of RAM. All this information about the performance of the PC, the computer outputs to the micro speaker in the form of a sound signal (beep).
If the POST program has successfully completed the diagnosis of the critical components of the computer and if the PC is in excellent condition, then you should hear one short beep, after which the download will immediately begin operating system PC. If an inoperative component is detected when the computer is started, the POST program will immediately give out a certain sound signal (several short or several long beeps), thereby determining the detected error, respectively, the computer stops working.
How to enter BIOS Windows 7
In order to enter the BIOS with Winows 7 or XP, we need to press a certain key, or a set of keys, immediately after turning on the PC, respectively, before loading the computer's operating system itself.As soon as you restarted your computer, it is better to immediately press a certain key, or a set of keys, and it is advisable to click it before entering the BIOS menu.
Usually, a certain inscription is displayed on the monitor screen. English language(press DEL to enter SETUP), which says to enter the PC settings. The Delete key is often used. There are also other hotkey options.
Keyboard Shortcut Options In Windows 7
- F1
- F2
- F10
— Esc
— Ctrl+Alt+Esc
- Ctrl+Alt+Ins
- Ctrl+Alt
POST diagnostic programs and computer beeps
AWARD BIOS
| Beep sequence | Error Description |
| 1 short | Successful POST |
| 2 short | Minor bugs found. A prompt appears on the monitor screen to enter the CMOS Setup Utility program and correct the situation. Check the reliability of the fastening of the loops in the connectors hard drive and motherboard. |
| 3 long | Keyboard controller error |
| 1 short, 1 long | Random Access Memory (RAM) Error |
| 1 long, 2 short | Video card error |
| 1 long, 3 short | Video memory error |
| 1 long, 9 short | Error while reading from ROM |
| Repetitive short | Problems with the power supply; RAM problems |
| recurring long | RAM problems |
| Repetitive high-low frequency | CPU issues |
| Continuous | Problems with the power supply |
AMI BIOS
| One short beep | |
| Two short beeps | RAM test error |
| Three short beeps | RAM test error (first 64 kb) |
| Four short beeps | The motherboard is faulty, (system timer error) |
| Five short beeps | Processor defective. Try to remove the processor and install it again (if you are not afraid). If it doesn't help, then you need to replace the processor. |
| Six short beeps | The motherboard is faulty, (keyboard controller error) |
| Seven short beeps | The motherboard is defective (virtual mode error). Try restarting your computer, if that doesn't help, then only replacing the motherboard. |
| Eight short beeps | Faulty video adapter or video memory test error |
| Nine short beeps | BIOS ROM checksum error |
| Ten short beeps | Error writing to CMOS memory. It is necessary to “reset” the BIOSa memory, then by jumpering the two contacts located next to the battery (Clear CMOS), or remove the battery for 20 minutes by unplugging the power cord. If that doesn't work, you'll have to change the chip. |
| RAM errors. Try reinstalling the memory sticks. | |
| (One long and two short), (One long and three short), (One long and eight short) beeps | Video card failure. |
Dell BIOS
| One beep, pause, two beeps | Video card error. You need to check the connection of the video card |
| One beep, pause, two beeps, pause, two beeps, pause, three beeps | BIOS chip error |
| One beep, pause, three beeps, pause, one beep, pause, one beep | BIOS chip error |
| One beep, pause, three beeps, pause, one beep, pause, three beeps | Keyboard is defective |
| One beep, pause, three beeps, pause, three beeps, pause, one beep | |
| One beep, pause, three beeps, pause, four beeps, pause, one beep | |
| One beep, pause, three beeps, pause, four beeps, pause, three beeps | Memory check error. Worth a memory check |
| One beep, pause, four beeps, pause, one beep, pause, one beep | memory check error. Worth a memory check |
IBM BIOS
AST BIOS
| One short beep | The processor is defective |
| Two short beeps, (Three short beeps) | |
| Four short beeps | Keyboard is defective |
| Five short beeps | Keyboard is defective |
| Six short beeps | System board is defective |
| Nine short beeps | BIOS chip is defective |
| Ten short beeps | Timer chip is defective |
| Eleven short beeps | Chipset driver is faulty |
| Twelve short beeps | Non-Volatile Memory Power Failures |
| One long beep | DMA controller chip is defective (channel 0) |
| DMA controller chip is defective (channel 1) | |
| The video adapter is defective | |
| One long and three short beeps | Video adapter memory failure |
| One long and four short beeps | The video adapter is defective |
| One long and five short beeps | RAM is defective |
| One long and six short beeps | Memory interrupt vector loading errors |
| One long and seven short beeps | Video equipment out of order |
| One long and eight short beeps | Video memory defective |
COMPAQ BIOS
| One long beep | The POST diagnostic program did not find any errors, it works fine. All OK. |
| One long and one short beep | The BIOS memory checksum is incorrect. Battery needs to be checked |
| Two short beeps | General error |
| One long and two short beeps | The video card is defective. Video card needs to be reinstalled |
| Seven Signals | The AGP card is defective. Video card needs to be reinstalled |
| One long (repeating) | RAM is defective |
| One short and two long beeps | RAM is defective |
PHOENIX BIOS
The signals of this BIOS go through a pause with short beeps. For example - 1-2-1 (1 beep, pause, 2 beeps, pause, 1 beep)
| One beep, pause, one beep, pause, three beeps | An error occurred while accessing BIOS memory |
| One beep, pause, one beep, pause, four beeps | BIOS checksum is incorrect. Battery needs to be checked |
| One beep, pause, two beeps, pause, one beep | Motherboard is defective |
| One beep, pause, two beeps, pause, two beeps (One beep, pause, two beeps, pause, three beeps) | DMA controller chip is faulty |
| One beep, pause, four beeps, pause, one beep | Motherboard is defective |
| One beep, pause, four beeps, pause, two beeps | RAM is defective |
| One beep, pause, four beeps, pause, three beeps | System timer error |
| One beep, pause, four beeps, pause, four beeps | Malfunction of one of the I / O ports |
| Two beeps, pause, one beep, pause, one beep, (Two beeps, pause, one beep, pause, two beeps), (Two beeps, pause, one beep, pause, three beeps), (Two beeps, pause, one beep, pause, four beeps) | RAM is defective |
| Two beeps, pause, two beeps, pause, one beep, (Two beeps, pause, two beeps, pause, two beeps), (Two beeps, pause, two beeps, pause, three beeps), (Two beeps, pause, two beep, pause, four beeps) | RAM is defective |
| Two beeps, pause, three beeps, pause, one beep, (Two beeps, pause, three beeps, pause, two beeps), (Two beeps, pause, three beeps, pause, three beeps), (Two beeps, pause, three beep, pause, four beeps) | RAM is defective |
| Two beeps, pause, four beeps, pause, one beep, (Two beeps, pause, four beeps, pause, two beeps), (Two beeps, pause, four beeps, pause, three beeps), (Two beeps, pause, four beep, pause, four beeps) | RAM is defective |
| Three beeps, pause, one beep, pause, one beep | Second DMA channel failed |
| Three beeps, pause, one beep, pause, two beeps (Three beeps, pause, one beep, pause, four beeps) | First DMA channel failed |
| Three beeps, pause, two beeps, pause, four beeps | Keyboard controller is defective |
| Three beeps, pause, three beeps, pause, four beeps | Video memory is defective |
| Three beeps, pause, four beeps, pause, one beep | Monitor is defective |
| Three beeps, pause, four beeps, pause, two beeps | Video BIOS chip failure |
| Four beeps, pause, two beeps, pause, one beep | System timer is defective |
| Four beeps, pause, two beeps, pause, two beeps | End of the test |
| Four beeps, pause, two beeps, pause, three beeps | Keyboard controller is defective |
| Four beeps, pause, two beeps, pause, four beeps | Processor crashed while entering Protected Mode |
| Four beeps, pause, three beeps, pause, one beep | RAM error |
| Four beeps, pause, three beeps, pause, two beeps, (Four beeps, pause, three beeps, pause, three beeps) | Timer error |
| Four beeps, pause, four beeps, pause, one beep | Serial port failure |
| Four beeps, pause, four beeps, pause, two beeps | Parallel port failure |
| Four beeps, pause, four beeps, pause, three beeps | Math processor failure |
| Long repeating | Motherboard is defective |
| Continuous | The fan is defective (cooler) of the processor |
| Siren | Video card is defective |
Conclusion
Do not take this information as absolutely reliable, as the audio signals may change as new ones are released. BIOS versions. This concludes this post, I hope it was helpful...
Below are the beep values of some motherboards.
Award BIOS
- No signals - The power supply is defective or not connected to the motherboard.
— Continuous signal — Faulty power supply. Replacement required.
— 1 short beep — No errors found. The typical behavior of a healthy computer is that the computer boots normally.
— 2 short beeps — Minor errors detected. The monitor screen prompts you to enter the CMOS Setup Utility program to correct the situation. Check the reliability of the fastening of the cables in the connectors of the hard drive and the motherboard.
- 3 long beeps - Keyboard controller error. Restart your computer. The motherboard may need to be replaced.
- 1 long + 1 short beeps - Problems with RAM detected. Check if the memory modules are installed correctly. Or replace with other memory modules.
1 long + 2 short beeps - Video card problem - the most common malfunction. It is recommended to remove the board and reinsert it. Also check the connection to the monitor video card.
1 long + 3 short beeps - Keyboard initialization error. Check the connection between the keyboard and the connector on the motherboard.
1 long + 9 short beeps - Error reading data from the chip permanent memory. Reboot the computer or reflash the contents of the chip (if this mode is supported).
1 long repeated beep - Incorrect installation of memory modules. Try removing and inserting them again.
1 short repetitive signal - Problems with the power supply. Try to remove the dust accumulated in it.
AMI BIOS
No Signals - Faulty or not connected to the motherboard power supply.
1 short beep - No errors found. The computer is ready to go.
2 short beeps - RAM parity error. Restart your computer. Check the memory module installation. The memory modules may need to be replaced.
3 short beeps - Error during operation of the main memory (first 64 KB). Restart your computer. Check the installation of memory modules in the slots. The memory modules may need to be replaced.
4 short beeps - The system timer is faulty. The motherboard may need to be replaced.
5 short beeps - Faulty CPU. The processor may need to be replaced.
6 short beeps - The keyboard controller is faulty. Check the quality of the connection of the latter with the connector on the motherboard. Try replacing the keyboard. If this does not help, then the motherboard may need to be replaced.
7 short beeps - The motherboard is faulty.
8 short beeps - Problems with the video card.
9 short beeps - BIOS chip checksum error. A corresponding message may appear on the monitor screen. Either the chip needs to be replaced or its contents rewritten (if it is Flash memory).
10 short - Unable to write to CMOS memory. The CMOS chip or motherboard needs to be replaced.
11 short beeps - External cache is faulty. The cache modules need to be replaced.
1 long + 2 short beeps - The video card is faulty. Check the connection of the monitor to the connector on the video card. The video card may need to be replaced.
1 long + 3 short beeps - The video card is faulty. Check the connection of the monitor to the connector on the video card. The video card may need to be replaced.
1 long + 8 short beeps - Problems with the video card, or the monitor is not connected. Check the installation of the video card in the expansion slot again.
Phoenix BIOS
Phonenix BIOS manufacturers have developed their own interleaving system.
1-1-3 - CMOS data write/read error. The CMOS memory chip or motherboard needs to be replaced. Also, the battery powering the CMOS memory chip may have run out.
1-1-4 - BIOS chip content checksum error. Requires BIOS chip replacement or flashing (when using Flash memory).
1-2-1 - The motherboard is faulty. Turn off your computer for a while. If that doesn't work, then replace the motherboard.
1-2-2 - DMA controller initialization error. The motherboard may need to be replaced.
1-2-3 - An error occurred while trying to read / write to one of the DMA channels. The motherboard may need to be replaced.
1-3-1 - Problem with RAM. Replace memory modules.
- 1-3-3 - Error when testing the first 64 KB of RAM. Replace memory modules.
- 1-3-4 - Error when testing the first 64 KB of RAM. Replace memory modules.
- 1-4-1 - The motherboard is faulty. It may need to be replaced.
- 1-4-2 - Problem with RAM. Check the installation of memory modules in the slots.
— 1-4-3 — System timer error. The motherboard may need to be replaced.
- 1-4-4 - Error accessing the I / O port. This error can be called peripheral device using given port for your work.
- 3-1-1 - Error initializing the second DMA channel. The motherboard may need to be replaced.
- 3-1-2 - Error initializing the first DMA channel. The motherboard may need to be replaced.
- 3-1-4 - The motherboard is faulty. Turn off your computer for a while. If this does not help, then you will have to replace the motherboard.
- 3-2-4 - Keyboard controller error. The motherboard may need to be replaced.
— 3-3-4 — Error during video memory test. The video card itself may be faulty. Check the installation of the video card in the expansion slot.
— 4-2-1 — System timer error. The motherboard may need to be replaced.
- 4-2-3 - Error during operation of line A20. The keyboard controller is faulty. Try replacing the motherboard or keyboard controller.
— 4-2-4 — Error when running in protected mode. The CPU may be defective.
- 4-3-1 - Error while testing RAM. Check the installation of modules in the slots. The memory modules may need to be replaced.
