Computer Beep Codes [Archive]

RACKnRAIL

April 5th, 2009, 08:04 AM

I just added a used motherboard to a tower I had. I put it all together and it fired up. It reads all 3 sticks of ram, which totals 1 gig without a problem. I was able to install windows, but the boot process beeps and hangs. I get 2 short beeps, a pause, and then another short beep (3 total beeps). It then hangs, saying press the F1 key to continue, and then boots into windows without any problem. I have tried resetting the bios to default, but no cigar. Any ideas what the beeps are about? I have tried removing ram sticks and even with one 512mb stick it still beeps. I honestly don't think it's the ram, which was my first thought. BTW, I did add a heat sink to my chip. It was socket A, but that wouldn't cause beeps, would it?

mountain_rage

April 5th, 2009, 08:31 AM

Check the model number and look for the user manual online. That would be the first step I take anyway. That is unless there is a jumper to turn it on voiced error codes, this is an option some Asus motherboards have.

1cooldude

April 5th, 2009, 08:59 AM

Various Bios beep codes....

Award and Phoenix BIOS:

1 short beep: Normal
2 short beeps: CMOS error
1 long and 1 short beep: DRAM error
1 long and 2 short beeps: Video card error
1 long and 3 short beeps: Keyboard error
1 long and 9 short beeps: ROM error
Long continuous beeps: DRAM not installed correctly
Short continuous beeps: Bad power supply

AMI BIOS:

1 short beep: DRAM flash error
2 short beeps: DRAM ECC check error
3 short beeps: DRAM detect error
5 short beeps: CPU error
6 short beeps: Keyboard error
8 short beeps: Video card error
9 short beeps: ROM error
1 long and 3 short beeps: Bad DRAM
1 long and 8 short beeps: Video card error

Phoenix BIOS:

1-1-3 - CMOS read/write failure
1-1-4 - ROM BIOS checksum error
1-2-1 - Programmable interval timer failure
1-2-2 - DMA initialisation failure
1-2-3 - DMA page register read/write failure
1-3-1 - RAM refresh verification failure
1-3-3 - First 64k RAM chip or data line failure
1-3-4 - First 64k RAM odd/even logic failure
1-4-1 - Address line failure first 64k RAM
1-4-2 - Parity failure first 64k RAM
2-_-_ - Faulty Memory
3-1-_ - Faulty Motherboard
3-2-4 - Keyboard controller Test failure
3-3-4 - Screen initialisation failure
3-4-1 - Screen retrace test failure
3-4-2 - Search for video ROM in progress
4-2-1 - Timer tick interrupt in progress or failure
4-2-2 - Shutdown test in progress or failure
4-2-3 - Gate A20 failure
4-2-4 - Unexpected interrupt in protected mode
4-3-1 - RAM test in progress or failure>ffffh
4-3-2 - Faulty Motherboard
4-3-3 - Interval timer channel 2 test or failure
4-3-4 - Time of Day clock test failure
4-4-1 - Serial port test or failure
4-4-2 - Parallel port test or failure
4-4-3 - Math coprocessor test or failure
Low 1-1-2 - System Board select failure
Low 1-1-3 - Extended CMOS RAM failure

HP Multimedia PCs:

Continuous tone - Power supply defective
Many short beeps - Defective motherboard
1 Long - RAM refresh
1 Long, 1 Short - Defective motherboard or RAM-Basic
1 Long, 2 Short - Video Card error
1 Long, 3 Short - Error on EGA card
2 Long, 1 Short - Synchronization of monitor adapter
2 Short - Parity error (incorrect memory checksum)
3 Short - Errors in the first 64K of RAM
4 Short - Timer or counter defective
5 Short - Processor failure or Video RAM
6 Short - Error in keyboard Processor
7 Short - Virtual processor mode det (AT)
8 Short - Incorrect writing to Video RAM
9 Short - Wrong ROM BIOS checksum

IBM IntelliStation and IBM PC:

Beep error code

FRU/Action

1-1-3 CMOS read/write error
1. Run Setup
2. System Board
1-1-4 ROM BIOS check error
1. System Board
1-2-X DMA error
1. System Board
1-3-X
1. Memory Module
2. System Board
1-4-4
1. Keyboard
2. System Board
1-4-X Error detected in first 64 KB of RAM.
1. Memory Module
2. System Board
2-1-1,2-1-2
1. Run Setup
2. System Board
2-1-X First 64 KB of RAM failed.
1. Memory Module
2. System Board
2-2-2
1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
2-2-X First 64 KB of RAM failed.
1. Memory Module
2. System Board
2-3-X
1. Memory Module
2. System Board
2-4-X
1. Run Setup
2. Memory Module
3. System Board
3-1-X DMA register failed.
1. System Board
3-2-4 Keyboard controller failed.
1. System Board
2. Keyboard
3-3-4 Screen initialization failed.
1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
3. Display

3-4-1 Screen retrace lest detected an error.
1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
3. Display
3-4-2 POST is searching for video ROM.
1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
4
1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
All other beep code sequences.
1. System Board
One long and one short beep during POST. Base 640 KB memory error or shadow RAM error.
1. Memory Module
2. System Board
One long beep and two or three short beeps during POST.(Video error)
1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
Three short beeps during POST.
1. See "System board memory" on page 62.
2. System Board
Continuous beep.
1. System Board
Repeating short beeps.
1. Keyboard stuck key?
2. Keyboard Cable
3. System Board

Gateway:

Beeps
Meaning
1 short beep
Normal POST completion
1 long 1 short
Refresh failure
1 long 2 short
Video configuration failed or parity error
1 long 3 short
Base 64 KB memory failure
1 long 4 short
Timer not operational
1 long 5 short
Processor error
1 long 6 short
8042 Gate A20 failure
1 long 7 short
Processor exception interrupt error
1 long 8 short
Display memory R/W error
1 long 9 short
ROM checksum error
1 long 10 short
CMOS shutdown register R/W error
1 long 11 short
Cache memory badNewer Boxes have what we call idiot lights on the back and when you check them against your manual that also will let you know what the problem is.

RACKnRAIL

April 5th, 2009, 11:06 AM

I've looked at the beep codes, as posted, but nothing explains 2 shorts, a pause, and another short beep. I tried googling it and get no solid answer.

I do have the pdf manual. I will take another closer look at it for clues.

Thx!

Tic3

April 5th, 2009, 11:27 AM

Also be sure that you have the correct number of drives selected. For example, if you only have one hard drive, be sure your BIOS is set for only one drive (set additional drives to NONE rather than Auto-Detect, etc.).

Be sure you check that setting not only for your hard drives, but for your CD/DVD drives and the floppy drive, too.

If you have none, make sure the setting in the BIOS says NONE.

RACKnRAIL

April 5th, 2009, 12:06 PM

Mels_Smileys45

April 5th, 2009, 12:30 PM

DO you have the motherboard properly mounted? I left out one of the rubber gaskets one time and it did the beeps. But it also did random restarts.

RACKnRAIL

April 5th, 2009, 12:43 PM

Yes, I did take care in installing everything from mounts to jumpers to my heat sink. I will try a few different ideas when I get home today.

I'll keep ya'll posted.

1cooldude

April 5th, 2009, 12:53 PM

RACKnRAIL

April 5th, 2009, 04:14 PM

RACKnRAIL, this doesn't fit into the codes but just as a precaution how long has that mobo been sitting out? I'm thinking your CMOS battery may be dead. If you have any analog/digital multimeter to measure the voltage across the cell?

That's something I haven't thought of yet. Thanks, I will give it a try.

Edit: Update: That was it!! You're 1cooldude and a genius. :You_Rock_Emoticon:

Thanks to all for your input. Case closed....I hope!!

I now have another clunker computer. It has 1800+ (1.5 ghz) AMD processor with 1 GB of ram, 64 MB graphics, 2 80 GB hard drives, and a decent DVD all-in-one burner.

1cooldude

April 5th, 2009, 05:34 PM

glad to be of service RACK. :)

mountain_rage

April 5th, 2009, 05:39 PM

That's something I haven't thought of yet. Thanks, I will give it a try.

Edit: Update: That was it!! You're 1cooldude and a genius. :You_Rock_Emoticon:

Thanks to all for your input. Case closed....I hope!!

I now have another clunker computer. It has 1800+ (1.5 ghz) AMD processor with 1 GB of ram, 64 MB graphics, 2 80 GB hard drives, and a decent DVD all-in-one burner.

Whats the chip set? Think I have a 939 3000+ (Think its a 3000+, maybe 3200+) lying around here. If you want it pay the shipping and its yours, a couple pins are slightly bent but could probably be straightened fairly easily, that is if they didn't fit the way they are now.

YWD67

April 5th, 2009, 06:06 PM

RACKnRAIL, this doesn't fit into the codes but just as a precaution how long has that mobo been sitting out? I'm thinking your CMOS battery may be dead. If you have any analog/digital multimeter to measure the voltage across the cell?

Damn it you beat me to it.

I have repaired sevral computers (mostly Dels) where all the problem oit had was that the damn little enternal NiCad battery was dead. Most are good fopr about 3yrs.

1cooldude

April 6th, 2009, 02:40 AM

Damn it you beat me to it.

I have repaired sevral computers (mostly Dels) where all the problem oit had was that the damn little enternal NiCad battery was dead. Most are good fopr about 3yrs.

had a few of those die and always keep forgetting to check first.
thanks for the help.

RACKnRAIL

April 6th, 2009, 11:03 AM

Whats the chip set? Think I have a 939 3000+ (Think its a 3000+, maybe 3200+) lying around here. If you want it pay the shipping and its yours, a couple pins are slightly bent but could probably be straightened fairly easily, that is if they didn't fit the way they are now.

Hey, it's a good thought, but I will stick with the 1800+. Thanks just the same!!