BIOS Beep Codes

AMI (American Megatrends) BIOS beep codes

Below are general AMI BIOS beep codes. However, because of the wide variety of models shipping with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

Beep CodeDescriptions
1 short beepDRAM refresh failure.
2 short beepParity circuit failure.
3 short beepBase 64 K RAM failure.
4 short beepSystem timer failure.
5 short beepProcess failure.
6 short beepKeyboard controller Gate A20 error.
7 short beepVirtual mode exception error.
8 short beepDisplay memory Read/Write test failure.
9 short beepROM BIOS checksum failure.
10 short beepHow to replace the CMOS battery.
11 short beepCache memory error.
1 long, 2 short beeps.Video card memory issue.
1 long, 3 short beeps.Conventional/Extended memory failure.
1 long, 8 short beeps.Display/Retrace test failed.
Twotone sirenLow CPU fan speed, voltage level issue.

Go to UEFI and BIOS utilities for Aptio and AMIBIOS for more information

Award BIOS beep codes

Below are general Award BIOS beep codes. However, because of the wide variety of models shipping with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

Beep CodeDescription
1 long, 2 short beeps.Indicates a video error has occurred and the BIOS cannot initialize the video screen to display any additional information.
1 long, 3 short beeps.Video card not detected (reseat video card) or bad video card.
Beeps repeating endlessly.RAM problem.
Repeated high frequency beeps while PC is running.Overheating processor (CPU).
Repeated beeps alternating high & low frequency.Issue with the processor (CPU), possibly damaged.

Go to Award BIOS Beep Codes for more information

Dell beep codes

Below are general Dell BIOS beep codes. However, because of the wide variety of models shipping with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

Beep CodeDescription
1 beepBIOS ROM corruption or failure.
2 beepsMemory (RAM) not detected.
3 beepsMotherboard failure.
4 beepsMemory (RAM) failure.
5 beepsCMOS battery failure.
6 beepsVideo card failure.
7 beepsBad processor (CPU).

Go to Dell’s Beep Codes and PSA Diagnostic Chart for more information

IBM BIOS beep codes

Below are general IBM BIOS beep codes. However, because of the wide variety of models shipping with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

Beep CodeDescription
No beepsWhy won’t my computer turn on?
1 short beepNormal POST, computer is ok.
2 short beepPOST error, review screen for error code.
Continuous beepNo power, loose card, or short.
Repeating short beepNo power, loose card, or short.
1 long, 1 short beepMotherboard issue.
1 long, 2 short beepsVideo (Mono/CGA display circuitry) issue.
1 long, 3 short beeps.Video (EGA) display circuitry.
3 long beepsKeyboard or keyboard card error.
1 beep, blank or incorrect display.Video display circuitry.

Go to IBM Troubleshooting POST beep and no beep errors for more information

Insyde Beep Codes

Below are general Insyde BIOS beep codes. However, because of the wide variety of models shipping with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

Beep CodeDescription
5 short and 1 long beepProblem with the DMA page registers.
4 short long 1 short beepCircuit for refreshing RAM not working.
4 short and 2 short beepsBIOS ROM checksum failure.
3 short, 1 long, 2 short beepsCMOS RAM test failure.
3 short 1 long 1 short 1 long beepDMA controller failure.
3 short, 2 long, 1 short beepInterrupt controller failure.
3 short 3 long beepsKeyboard selftest issue.
2 short 1 long 3 short beepsVideo card not detects
2 short 1 long 2 short 1 long beepNo RAM installed or RAM not recognized.

Go to Insyde BIOS Recovery, Beep Codes for more information

Apple Mac Startup Tones

TonesError
Error tone. (two sets of different tones).Problem with logic board or SCSI bus.
Startup tone, drive spins, no video.Problem with video controller.
Powers on, no tone.Logic board problem.
High tone, four higher tones.Problem with SIMM.

Go to Macintosh Beep Codes for more information

Phoenix BIOS Beep Codes

See the table below for Phoenix BIOS Q3.07 or 4.x.BIOS beep codes. Note well various computer manufacturers use this BIOS and the beep codes may differ for each.

Beep CodeDescription and what to check
1111Unconfirmed beep code. Reseat RAM chips or replace RAM chips as possible solution.
1113Verify real mode.
1121Get CPU type.
1123Initialize system hardware.
1131Initialize chipset registers with initial POST values.
1132Set in POST flag.
1133Initialize CPU registers.
1141Initialize cache to initial POST values.
1143Initialize I/O.
1211Initialize power management.
1212Load alternate registers with initial POST values.
1213Jump to UserPatch0.
1221Initialize keyboard controller.
1223BIOS ROM checksum.
12318254 timer initialization.
12338237 DMA controller initialization.
1241Reset programmable interrupt controller.
1311Test DRAM refresh.
1313Test 8742 keyboard controller.
1321Set ES segment to register to 4 GB.
1331Autosize DRAM.
1333Clear 512 K base RAM.
1341Test 512 base address lines.
1343Test 512 K base memory
1413Test CPU bus clock frequency.
1424Reinitialize the chipset.
1431Shadow system BIOS ROM.
1432Reinitialize the cache.
1433Autosize cache.
1441Configure advanced chipset registers.
1442Load alternate registers with CMOS values.
2111Set initial CPU speed.
2113Initialize interrupt vectors.
2121Initialize BIOS interrupts.
2123Check ROM Copyright notice.
2124Initialize manager for PCI options ROMs.
2131Check video configuration against CMOS.
2132Initialize PCI bus and devices.
2133Initialize all video adapters in system.
2141Shadow video BIOS ROM.
2143Display Copyright notice.
2211Display CPU type and speed.
2213Test keyboard.
2221Set key click if enabled.
2223Enable keyboard.
2231Test for unexpected interrupts.
2233Display prompt Press F2 to enter SETUP.
2241Test RAM between 512 and 640 k.
2311Test expanded memory.
2313Test extended memory address lines.
2321Jump to UserPatch1.
2323Configure advanced cache registers.
2331Enable external and CPU caches.
2333Display external cache size.
2341Display shadow message.
2343Display non-disposable segments.
2411Display error messages.
2413Check for configuration errors.
2421Test real-time clock.
2423Check for keyboard errors.
2441Set up hardware interrupts vectors.
2443Test co-processor if present.
3111Disable onboard I/O ports.
3113Detect and install external RS232 ports.
3121Detect and install external parallel ports.
3123Re-initialize onboard I/O ports.
3131Initialize BIOS data area.
3133Initialize extended BIOS data area.
3141Initialize floppy controller.
3211Initialize hard disk controller.
3212Initialize local bus hard disk controller.
3213Jump to UserPatch2.
3221Disable A20 address line.
3223Clear huge ES segment register.
3231Search for option ROMs.
3233Shadow option ROMs.
3241Set up Power Management.
3243Enable hardware interrupts.
3311Set time of day.
3313Check key lock.
3331Erase F2 prompt.
3333Scan for F2 key stroke.
3341Enter CMOS setup.
3343Clear in POST flag.
3411Check for errors
3413POST done, prepare to boot operating system.
3421One beep.
3423Check password (optional).
3431Clear global descriptor table.
3441Clear parity checkers.
3443Clear screen (optional).
3444Check virus and backup reminders.
4111Try to boot with INT 19.
4211Interrupt handler error.
4213Unknown interrupt error.
4221Pending interrupt error.
4223Initialize option ROM error.
4231Shutdown error.
4233Extended block move.
4241Shutdown 10 error.
4313Initialize the chipset.
4314Initialize refresh counter.
4321Check for forced flash.
4322Check HW status of ROM.
4323BIOS ROM is OK.
4324Do a complete RAM test.
4331Do OEM initialization.
4332Initialize interrupt controller.
4333Read in bootstrap code.
4334Initialize all vectors.
4341Boot the flash program.
4342Initialize the boot device.
4343Boot code was read OK.
2tone sirenLow CPU fan speed, voltage level issue.

Go to Phoenix ISA/MCA/EISA BIOS Beep Codes for more information