BIOS beep codes list for desktops
An introduction to BIOS beep codes
When you power on your computer, the motherboard's basic input/output system (BIOS) first detects the
computer's internal hardware configuration and then performs the power-on self-test (POST). The POST
executes several diagnostic tests that check the basic functionality of the power supply, motherboard,
CPU, I/O Bus Controller, RAM, keyboard, and video components. If the computer passes the POST, it will
usually return a single short beep or two short beeps, depending on the BIOS manufacturer. If the POST
detects any problems, it will halt the boot process and return an error message either visually on the
screen and/or audibly through a series of beeps.
Unfortunately, there is no official standard for beep codes. Depending on the BIOS manufacturer, a
keyboard controller failure could be three, four, five, or six beeps. While this document lists common BIOS
manufacturer beep codes, you should always consult your motherboard's documentation, the
manufacturer's Web site, and the BIOS manufacturer's Web site for a definitive beep code list for your
particular BIOS. The information contained in the following lists was gathered from various BIOS
manufacturers' Web sites.
AMI BIOS beep codes
[Link]
Number of
Problem description Troubleshooting recommendation
beeps
Reseat memory or replace with known good
1 Memory refresh timer error
chips.
Reseat memory or replace with known good
2 Parity error
chips.
Base 64K memory read/write test Reseat memory or replace with known good
3
failure chips.
4 Motherboard timer not operational Repair/replace motherboard.
5 Processor error Repair/replace motherboard.
Reseat keyboard controller chip, replace
8042—gate A20 failure/Keyboard
6 keyboard controller chip, check for a
controller BAT test error
keyboard fuse, or try a different keyboard.
7 Processor exception interrupt error Repair/replace motherboard.
8 Display memory read/write failure Replace video card or video card memory.
ROM checksum error/Faulty BIOS
9 Replace chips or motherboard.
chips
CMOS shutdown register read/write
10 Repair/replace motherboard.
error
11 Cache memory bad Repair/replace motherboard.
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BIOS beep codes list for desktops
Award BIOS beep codes
[Link]
Number of
Problem description Troubleshooting recommendation
beeps
1 long & 2 short Video error Check the video card.
Any other beeps RAM problem Reseat the RAM or replace with known good
chips.
PhoenixBIOS beep codes
[Link]
Unfortunately, PhoenixBIOS beep codes are significantly more complicated than other BIOS
manufacturers. Instead of a single beep code set, PhoenixBIOS codes consist of a series of beep code
sets separated by a short pause. Older Phoenix BIOS Plus and PhoenixBIOS 1.x systems used a series
of three sets, while the PhoenixBIOS 4.x systems use a series of four sets. The codes listed below are
only some of the more than 100 codes for the PhoenixBIOS 4.x. For a complete list of Phoenix BIOS
POST task routines and beep codes, please visit their Web site or review your motherboard's
documentation.
Number of
POST routine description/problem Troubleshooting recommendation
beeps
1 One short beep before boot Normal operation
A problem exists with the CPU and/or
1-1-1-3 Verify real mode motherboard. Check and replace if
necessary.
A problem exists with the CPU and/or
1-1-2-1 Get CPU type motherboard. Check and replace if
necessary.
A problem exists with the motherboard.
1-1-2-3 Initialize system hardware
Check and replace if necessary.
Initialize chipset with initial POST A problem exists with the motherboard.
1-1-3-1
values Check and replace if necessary.
A problem exists with the motherboard.
1-1-3-2 Set IN POST flag
Check and replace if necessary.
A problem exists with the CPU and/or
1-1-3-3 Initialize CPU registers motherboard. Check and replace if
necessary.
A problem exists with the I/O port hardware
or a device connected to an I/O port. It could
1-1-4-3 Initialize I/O component
also be an expansion device in the PC or the
motherboard.
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BIOS beep codes list for desktops
An error has occurred with the keyboard or
keyboard controller. Try a new keyboard or
1-2-2-1 Initialize keyboard controller
replace the keyboard controller on the
motherboard.
Replace either the BIOS ROM chip or the
1-2-2-3 BIOS ROM checksum
motherboard.
Check the motherboard and any expansion
1-2-3-3 8237 DMA controller initialization
cards that use DMA.
Check the first bank of memory and the
1-3-1-1 Test DRAM refresh
motherboard.
An error has occurred with the keyboard or
keyboard controller. Try a new keyboard or
1-3-1-3 Test 8742 keyboard controller
replace the keyboard controller on the
motherboard.
Check the first bank of memory and the
1-3-4-1 RAM failure on line xxxx
motherboard.
RAM failure on data bits xxxx of low Check the first bank of memory and the
1-3-4-3
byte memory bus motherboard.
Check video configuration against
2-1-3-1 Check the video card or video card memory.
CMOS
A problem exists with the I/O port hardware
or a device connected to an I/O port. It could
2-1-3-2 Initialize PCI bus and devices
also be an expansion device in the PC or the
motherboard.
An error has occurred with the keyboard or
keyboard controller. Try a new keyboard or
2-2-1-3 Test keyboard
replace the keyboard controller on the
motherboard.
Check for a faulty motherboard or expansion
2-2-3-1 Test for unexpected interrupts
card.
A problem exists with the I/O port hardware
Detect and install external parallel or a device connected to an I/O port. It could
3-1-2-1
ports also be an expansion device in the PC or the
motherboard.
Check your hard drive(s), floppy drive(s), and
3-1-4-1 Initialize floppy controller
motherboard.
Check your hard drive(s), floppy drive(s), and
3-2-1-1 Initialize hard-disk controllers
motherboard.
Initialize local-bus hard-disk Check your hard drive(s), floppy drive(s), and
3-2-1-2
controllers motherboard.
Check the motherboard's real-time clock
3-3-1-1 Set time of day
(RTC).
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BIOS beep codes list for desktops
An error has occurred with the keyboard or
keyboard controller. Try a new keyboard or
4-2-4-3 Keyboard controller failure
replace the keyboard controller on the
motherboard.
Dell BIOS beep codes
[Link]
Because Dell uses motherboards and BIOSs from several manufacturers, their computers use a variety of
beep codes. Instead of listing each model's beep codes, links are provided to the support pages of
several popular Dell desktops.
Model System codes and messages link
Dimension 900 [Link]
Dimension 2100 [Link]
Dimension 4100 [Link]
Dimension 4200 [Link]
Dimension 4300 [Link]
Dimension 4300S [Link]
Dimension 4400 [Link]
Dimension 8100 [Link]
Dimension 8200 [Link]
Dimension C [Link]
Dimension L [Link]
Dimension Lxxxc [Link]
Dimension P133a, P166a,
[Link]
M166a, M200a, and M233a
Dimension XPS Txxx and
[Link]
Txxxr
Dimension Vxxx and Vxxxc [Link]
Dimension XPS B Series [Link]
Dimension XPS Dxxx [Link]
Dimension XPS H233 and
[Link]
XPS H266
Dimension XPS P60 FS [Link]
Dimension XPS P60 M [Link]
Dimension XPS 50/66 FS [Link]
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BIOS beep codes list for desktops
Dimension XPS 50/66 MDT
[Link]
(V4xxV)
Dimension XPS Rxxx [Link]
OmniPlex 5xx/ME [Link]
OptiPlex G1 [Link]
OptiPlex GC [Link]
OptiPlex Gn and Gn+ [Link]
OptiPlex GX1 [Link]
OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-
[Link]
Factor
OptiPlex GX1p [Link]
OptiPlex GXi [Link]
OptiPlex GX110 [Link]
OptiPlex GX115 [Link]
OptiPlex GX200 [Link]
OptiPlex GX300 [Link]
OptiPlex GXa [Link]
OptiPlex GXpro [Link]
OptiPlex N [Link]
OptiPlex NX [Link]
OptiPlex NX1 [Link]
OptiPlex
[Link]
XMT575/590/5100/5120/5133
Precision WorkStation 210 [Link]
Precision WorkStation 340 [Link]
Precision WorkStation 400 [Link]
Precision WorkStation 410 [Link]
Precision WorkStation 420 [Link]
Precision WorkStation 530 [Link]
Precision WorkStation 610
[Link]
Mini Tower
Precision WorkStation 620 [Link]
Precision WorkStation 730 [Link]
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BIOS beep codes list for desktops
HP BIOS beep codes
[Link]
Because Hewlett-Packard uses a variety of motherboards and BIOSs, their computers use a variety of
beep codes. Instead of listing each model's beep codes, links are provided to the support pages of
several popular Hewlett-Packard desktops.
Model System codes and messages link
[Link]
Kayak
ectID=tis06334
[Link]
Kayak XA-S Series 02xx
ectID=lpv18636
[Link]
Kayak XU Series 04xx
ectID=lpv18582
[Link]
Kayak XU Series 03xx
ectID=lpv18635
[Link]
Kayak XW Series U3-W3
ectID=lpv18631
[Link]
Kayak XW Series 04xx
ectID=lpv18633
Pavilion Desktops with
[Link]
Phoenix BIOS
Pavilion 5010, 5030, and 5040 [Link]
Pavilion 7010, Pavilion 7020,
Pavilion 7030, and Pavilion [Link]
7050
Vectra PCs with Phoenix BIOS
[Link]
(VL4, VL5, VE2, VE3, XM4,
ectID=bpv03305
XA5, and possibly others)
[Link]
e-Vectra
ectID=tis06446
[Link]
Vectra VE 5/xxx Series 4
ectID=lpv18434
[Link]
Vectra VL600
ectID=tis01866
[Link]
Vectra XA5
ectID=tis06112
Vectra XA 5/XXX [Link]
[Link]
Vectra XE310
ectID=tis13051
[Link]
Workstation i2000
ectID=tis07621
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[Link]
BIOS beep codes list for desktops
IBM BIOS beep codes
[Link]
Because IBM uses a variety of motherboards and BIOSs, their computers use a variety of beep codes.
Instead of listing each model's beep codes, links are provided to the support pages of several popular
IBM desktops.
Model System codes and messages link
Aptiva 2134 and 2176 [Link]
Aptiva 2137, 2138 [Link]
Aptiva 2140 and 2142 [Link]
Aptiva 2144 and 2168 [Link]
Aptiva 2156 [Link]
Aptiva 2158, 2163 and 2164 [Link]
Aptiva 2159 [Link]
Aptiva 2162 [Link]
Aptiva 2165 [Link]
Aptiva 2170, 2171, and 2172 [Link]
Aptiva 2187 [Link]
Aptiva 2190 [Link]
Aptiva 2193, 2194, 2196 and
[Link]
2197
IBM PC300 Type 6344 and
[Link]
6345
NetVista 2194, 2196, 2197,
[Link]
and 6345
NetVista 6269, 6578, and 6579 [Link]
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