Power On Self
Test Beep Codes
for AMI and Phoenix BIOS
When an IBM compatible computer is
first turned on, the hardware runs a Power-On Self Test (POST). If
errors are encountered during this POST test, they are usually
displayed via an audio beep or in the form of a code number flashed
across the screen. With this audio code in hand, you can determine what
part of the system is having problems and find a solution.
The pattern of beeps whether its the number of beeps
or the length of those beeps will give you an indication of the actual
problem. Its a distress signal from the computer in a morse code like
pattern. Unless you have a diagnostic card to tell you more
about the particular problem, you will have to use the charts below to
decipher the computer error and get your machine back up and running.
|
|
Standard
IBM Error Codes | AMI Beep Codes
| Phoenix Beep
Codes | Award Beep Codes | BIOS Upgrades
- Standard
Original IBM POST Error Codes
|
1
short beep
|
Normal POST - system is ok |
| 2
short beeps |
POST Error - error code shown on screen |
| No
beep |
Power supply or system board problem |
| Continuous
beep |
Power supply, system board, or keyboard problem |
| Repeating
short beeps |
Power supply or system board problem |
| 1
long, 1 short beep |
System board problem |
| 1
long, 2 short beeps |
Display adapter problem (MDA, CGA) |
| 1
long, 3 short beeps |
Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) |
| 3
long beeps |
3270 keyboard card |
|
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|
|
| IBM POST Diagnostic Code
Descriptions
|
100 - 199
|
System Board |
| 200 - 299 |
Memory |
| 300 - 399 |
Keyboard |
| 400 - 499 |
Monochrome Display |
| 500 - 599 |
Color/Graphics Display |
| 600 - 699 |
Floppy-disk drive and/or Adapter |
| 700 - 799 |
Math Coprocessor |
| 900 - 999 |
Parallel Printer Port |
| 1000 - 1099 |
Alternate Printer Adapter |
| 1100 - 1299 |
Asynchronous Communication Device, Adapter, or
Port |
| 1300 - 1399 |
Game Port |
| 1400 - 1499 |
Color/Graphics Printer |
| 1500 - 1599 |
Synchronous Communication Device, Adapter, or
Port |
| 1700 - 1799 |
Hard Drive and/or Adapter |
| 1800 - 1899 |
Expansion Unit (XT) |
| 2000 - 2199 |
Bisynchronous Communication Adapter |
| 2400 - 2599 |
EGA system-board Video (MCA) |
| 3000 - 3199 |
LAN Adapter |
| 4800 - 4999 |
Internal Modem |
| 7000 - 7099 |
Phoenix BIOS Chips |
| 7300 - 7399 |
3.5" Disk Drive |
| 8900 - 8999 |
MIDI Adapter |
| 11200 - 11299 |
SCSI Adapter |
| 21000 - 21099 |
SCSI Fixed Disk and Controller |
| 21500 - 21599 |
SCSI CD-ROM System |
|
|
|
AMI BIOS Beep Codes
| 1
Short
Beep |
One beep is good! Everything is ok, that is if
you see things on the screen. If you don't see anything, check your
monitor and video card first. Is everything connected? If they seem
fine, your motherboard has some bad chips on it. First reset the SIMM's
and reboot. If it does the same thing, one of the memory chips on the
motherboard are bad, and you most likely need to get another
motherboard since these chips are soldered on. |
| 2 Short Beeps |
Your computer has memory problems.
First check video. If video is working, you'll see an error message. If
not, you have a parity error in your first 64K of memory. First check
your SIMM's. Reseat them and reboot. If this doesn't do it, the memory
chips may be bad. You can try switching the first and second banks
memory chips. First banks are the memory banks that your CPU finds its
first 64K of base memory in. You'll need to consult your manual to see
which bank is first. If all your memory tests good, you probably need
to buy another motherboard. |
| 3 Short Beeps |
Basically the same thing as 2 beeps. Follow
that diagnosis above. |
| 4 Short Beeps |
Basically the same thing as 2 beeps. Follow
that diagnosis above. It could also be a bad timer |
| 5 Short Beeps |
Your motherboard is complaining. Try reseating
the memory and rebooting. If that doesn't help, you should consider
another motherboard. You could probably get away with just replacing
the CPU, but that's not too cost-effective. Its just time to
upgrade! |
| 6 Short Beeps |
The chip on your motherboard that controls your
keyboard (A20 gate) isn't working. First try another keyboard. If it
doesn't help, reseat the chip that controls the keyboard, if it isn't
soldered in. If it still beeps, replace the chip if possible. Replace
the motherboard if it is soldered in. |
| 7 Short Beeps |
Your CPU broke overnight. Its no good. Either
replace the CPU, or buy another motherboard. |
| 8 Short Beeps |
Your video card isn't working. Make sure it is
seated well in the bus. If it still beeps, either the whole card is bad
or the memory on it is. Best bet is to install another video
card. |
| 9 Short Beeps |
Your BIOS is bad. Reseat or Replace the
BIOS. |
| 10 Short Beeps |
Your problem lies deep inside the CMOS. All
chips associated with the CMOS will likely have to be replaced. Your
best bet is to get a new motherboard. |
| 11 Short Beeps |
Your problem is in the Cache Memory chips on
the motherboard. Reseat or Replace these chips. |
| 1 Long, 3 Short Beeps |
You've probably just added memory to the
motherboard since this is a conventional or extended memory failure.
Generally this is caused by a memory chip that is not seated properly.
Reseat the memory chips. |
| 1 Long, 8 Short Beeps |
Display / retrace test failed. Reseat the video
card. |
|
|
|
Phoenix
BIOS Beep Codes
These
audio codes are a little more detailed then the AMI codes. This BIOS
emits three sets of beeps. For example, 1 -pause- 3 -pause 3 -pause.
This is a 1-3-3 combo and each set of beeps is separated by a brief
pause. Listen to this sequence of sounds, count them, and reboot and
count again if you have to.
| 1-1-3 |
Your computer can't read the configuration info
stored in the CMOS. Replace the motherboard. |
| 1-1-4 |
Your BIOS needs to be replaced. |
| 1-2-1 |
You have a bad timer chip on the motherboard.
You need a new motherboard. |
| 1-2-2 |
The motherboard is bad. |
| 1-2-3 |
The motherboard is bad. |
| 1-3-1 |
You'll need to replace the
motherboard. |
| 1-3-3 |
You'll need to replace the
motherboard. |
| 1-3-4 |
The motherboard is bad. |
| 1-4-1 |
The motherboard is bad. |
| 1-4-2 |
Some of your memory is bad. |
| 2-_-_ |
Any combo of beeps after two means that some of
your memory is bad, and unless you want to get real technical, you
should probably have the guys in the lab coats test the memory for you.
Take it to the shop. |
| 3-1-_ |
One of the chips on your motherboard is broken.
You'll likely need to get another board. |
| 3-2-4 |
One of the chips on your motherboard that
checks the keyboard is broken. You'll likely need to get another
board. |
| 3-3-4 |
Your computer can't find the video card. Is it
there? If so, try swapping it with another one and see if it
works. |
| 3-4-_ |
Your video card isn't working. You'll need to
replace it. |
| 4-2-1 |
There's a bad chip on the motherboard. You need
to buy another board. |
| 4-2-2 |
First check the keyboard for problems. If
nothing, you have a bad motherboard. |
| 4-2-3 |
Same as 4-2-2. |
| 4-2-4 |
One of the cards is bad. Try yanking out the
cards one by one to isolate the culprit. Replace the bad one. The last
possibility is to buy another motherboard. |
| 4-3-1 |
Replace the motherboard. |
| 4-3-2 |
See 4-3-1 |
| 4-3-3 |
See 4-3-1 |
| 4-3-4 |
Time of day clock failure. Try running the
setup program that comes with the computer. Check the date and time. If
that doesn't work, replace the battery. If that doesn't work, replace
the power supply. You may have to replace the motherboard, but that is
rare. |
| 4-4-1 |
Your serial ports are acting up. Reseat, or
replace, the I/O card. If the I/O is on the motherboard itself, disable
them with a jumper (consult your manual to know which one) and then add
an I/O card. |
| 4-4-2 |
See 4-4-1, but this time is your Parallel port
that's acting up. |
| 4-4-3 |
You math coprocessor is having problems. Run a
test program to double-check it. If it is indeed bad, disable it, or
replace it. |
| Low 1-1-2 |
Your motherboard is having problems |
| Low 1-1-3 |
This is an Extended CMOS RAM problem, check
your motherboard battery, and motherboard. |
|
|
| Award BIOS
Post Codes
Unfortunately
there are many versions of the Award BIOS, and they are supported not
by one company, but by the motherboard maker. Award's website states
"Award Software software products are sold to a board or system
manufacturer ("hardware vendor"), who customizes them further before
selling the system. Award Software cannot supply upgrades for a BIOS
that has been subsequently modified by hardware vendors."
For
further help on Award BIOS problems contact:
Unicore Software
(1-800-800-BIOS) handles all upgrades for Award Software
BIOS products.
Their e-mail address is sales@unicore.com.
Unicore Software specializes in BIOS upgrades when the hardware vendor
no longer supports your system. Additionally, upgrades from Unicore
Software often support new technologies (such as larger hard drives,
removable boot media, and new processors) that were unavailable when
your system was designed.
The
hardware vendor that designed your system is the best source for bug
fixes and answers about your system.
|
|
| BIOS Upgrades
With so many advances in
technology, sometimes your computer may need a BIOS upgrade to take
advantage of new devices, or make your computer perform better.
eSupport.com
is the world's oldest and largest provider of BIOS Upgrade technology
with nearly 15 years of unparalleled excellence in the industry.
eSupport.com is the OFFICIAL AUTHORIZED BIOS
upgrade and support center for Award BIOS and
AMI BIOS (American Megatrends Inc.).
Take advantage of their
free tools to examine your BIOS and learn more.
BIOS Agent
The BIOS Agent is a simple, easy to use program
that will automatically identify your computers BIOS and other system
information. You'll quickly identify:
BIOS Wizard
The BIOS
Wizard is a simple and easy to use program that will examine and
identify the BIOS and Chipset on your system.
|
|
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