Beep Codes

Beep codes are the beeps you hear from the PC speaker when you turn on your computer. They are your computer's way of letting you know what's going on when there is no video signal. These codes are programmed into the BIOS of the PC.

There is no official standard for these codes due to the many brands of BIOS there are on motherboards, but two popular brands are Phoenix and American Megatrends, Inc.. As a result, these beep code formats are the most common, and will be covered here. If you don't know who made your BIOS, you can consult the manual for your motherboard. If you don't have a manual, simply take off the case and look. Once you find the BIOS chip(s), just look at the sticker on it and see if it says "AMI" or "Phoenix".

Once you have determined your BIOS make, consult the following to see what's wrong with your computer.

Normally, a computer with AMI BIOS doesn't bother with beeps. It will flash a nice little error message right across your screen. Its when the video card isn't working or something rather serious goes wrong that your computer will start beeping.

Here are some of the ones you'll see, with AMI BIOS.

(none) You're supposed to hear at least one beep. If you truly don't hear anything, either your computer's power supply, motherboard, or PC speaker is no good.

(1short) System RAM Refresh failure. Your programmable interrupt timer on your motherboard has failed. It could also be your interrupt controller, but either way, your motherboard will need to be replaced to fix it.

(2 short) 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. Check your SIMMs. Reseat them and reboot. If this doesn't do it, the memory chips may be bad. You can try switching the first and second bank memory chips. First banks are the memory banks in which your CPU finds its first 64K of base memory. You'll need to consult your manual to see which bank is first. If all of your memory tests good, you probably need to buy another motherboard.

(3 short) Same as 2 beeps; follow diagnosis above.

(4 short) Your problem could be a bad timer. The system timer failed to work properly. It will require motherboard replacement.

(5 short) CPU Failure. Replace the CPU or possibly the motherboard.

(6 short) The chip on your motherboard that controls your keyboard isn't working. First, try another keyboard. If that 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. The chip is erroring in the gate A20 switch that allows the system to run in virtual mode. Replace the motherboard if the chip is soldered in.

(7 short) Your CPU has generated an exception error. This could be a fault of the CPU or a combination of problems with the motherboard. Try replacing the motherboard.

(8 short) 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. Your best bet is to install another video card.

(9 short) ROM checksum error. This means that the checksum error checking value does not match the content of the BIOS ROM. This means the BIOS ROM is probably bad, and needs to be replaced.

(10 short) 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) Your L2 cache memory is bad and your computer disabled it for you. You could reactivate it by pressing -Ctrl- -Alt- -Shift- -+- , but you probably shouldn't. Instead, replace your L2 cache memory. Obviously, this could lead to outright motherboard replacement.

(1 long, 3 short) Memory test failure. An error has been detected in the memory over the first 64K. Try replacing the memory, and if that doesn't do it, the motherboard.

(1 long, 8 short) Display test failure. Your video card is either missing or defective. Replace it. If its part of your motherboard, you'll need to replace it or bypass it.

Here are some links to other sites that may help and pertain to your paticular Computers MB, and BIOS

Beginners Guides: Computer Error Beep Codes

Computer Hope: Additional information on computer POST / Beep Codes