ami BIOS signals 2 short. BIOS Award Signals
Hearing a BIOS signal (1 long beep), the user usually becomes wary. After all, as you know, in most BIOSes the message about the successful completion of hardware testing sounds somewhat different, although it is similar - one signal, but a short one. Is there any cause for concern in this case? Practice shows that in most cases - Yes.
First of all, it is worth defining the concept of “long signal”. In many cases, one continuous sound can be considered long. If you hear a similar sound and you have an Award BIOS installed, then this means that the power supply is faulty. In the case of Phoenix BIOS, in a similar situation, there is a malfunction of the CPU cooler fan. In the Compaq BIOS, this type of sound indicates a problem with the RAM.
However, most often the user may encounter a slightly different situation, when there is only a long but time-limited signal. This type of signal is used by many BIOS manufacturers to encode error messages.
However, one long BIOS beep is a sound that is often used for more than just signaling errors. For example, you can find BIOS versions from the well-known manufacturer American Megatrends, in which the BIOS signal 1 long beep is used to notify that tests have completed normally, instead of the usually used short beep. A similar approach is also used in the Mylex 386 BIOS. This factor should also be kept in mind, especially if you are dealing with a certain computer for the first time.
In AST BIOS, one long squeak has a completely different meaning, namely, an error detected when testing the first channel of the DMA controller. Typically, this situation means the microcontroller is faulty, which may result in the need to replace the entire motherboard.
In IBM BIOS, a similar BIOS signal, one long beep, also has its own meaning - this is a malfunction of the video system. You can try to fix this problematic situation yourself by checking that the video card is securely installed in the motherboard expansion slot.
Over time, any technology fails, and the computer is certainly no exception. A user who has been working on a computer for several years knows that if there is a hardware or software failure, the computer may refuse to work. For example, when the computer beeps and does not turn on, emitting incomprehensible signals for the user, before Windows loads.
First, let me explain why the computer beeps when turned on. You must understand that the squeaks are produced by the speaker, which is located in the system unit. And if you don’t know why the system unit beeps, then below I will show a table where you can see the reasons for this.
The computer can beep in different ways, emit one long beep, two short beeps, three short beeps, or even repeat short beeps 7 times in a row, etc. To determine what these signals mean, tables of sound signals for different types of Bios will help us. Bios is located on the motherboard, which is located in the system unit.
When you turn on the computer and a black screen appears, the connected equipment to the computer is checked. If all equipment is in working order and correctly connected, then Windows loads. If your computer refuses to boot, this article will help you determine which computer hardware has failed.
After you understand from the squeaks why the computer is beeping, you need to borrow this part from your friend and try to turn on your computer using a part from someone else’s computer.
Let's repeat our steps if the computer does not start and beeps.
- You need to turn on the computer and count how many squeaks the speaker makes.
- Check your Bios version when you boot your computer. Look for the inscription, Bios version or something like that. Usually the inscription is located at the very top.
- Find the version of your BIOS and the number of signals in the table.
- Next, find this part, connect it to the computer and turn it on. If the computer turns on and there are no beeps, then you have solved the problem by almost 90 percent. All that remains is to find or buy the part in order to give the part to the person from whom you took it.
I think you understand, because I presented it as clearly as possible.
Note: signals can be short or long.
IBM BIOS
Number of beeps | Description |
1 short | |
1 beep and blank screen | Video system is faulty |
2 short | The video system is faulty (monitor not connected) |
3 long | Motherboard faulty (keyboard controller error) |
1 long, 1 short | Motherboard is faulty |
1 long, 2 short | Video system faulty (Mono/CGA) |
1 long, 3 short | Video system (EGA/VGA) is faulty |
Repeating short | Malfunctions related to the power supply or motherboard |
Continuous | Problems with the power supply or motherboard |
Absent | The power supply, motherboard or speaker is faulty |
Number of beeps | Description |
1 short | |
2 short | Minor errors found. A prompt appears on the monitor screen to enter the CMOS Setup Utility program and correct the situation. Check that the cable is securely fastened. If you checked the cable and it didn’t help, then you need to replace it |
3 long | Keyboard controller error |
1 short, 1 long | RAM error |
1 long, 2 short | Video card error |
1 long, 3 short | Video memory error |
1 long, 9 short | Error reading from ROM |
Repeating short | Power supply problem. RAM problems |
Repeating long | RAM problems |
Repeated high-low frequency | CPU problems |
Continuous | Power supply problem |
AMI BIOS
Number of beeps | Description |
1 short | |
1 long, 1 short | Problems with the power supply |
1 long, 4 short | No Video Card |
2 short | RAM parity error or you forgot to turn off the scanner or printer |
3 short | Error in the first 64 KB of RAM |
4 short | System scanner malfunction |
5 short | Processor problems |
6 short | Keyboard controller initialization error |
7 short | Problems with the motherboard |
8 short | Video card memory error |
9 short | BIOS checksum is incorrect |
10 short | CMOS write error |
11 short | System board cache error |
1 long, 2 short | Video card error (Mono-CGA) |
1 long, 3 short | Video card error (EGA-VGA) |
1 long, 8 short | Problems with the video card or the monitor is not connected |
Missing and blank screen | The processor is faulty. The microcircuit contact may be bent. If that doesn't help, replace the processor. |
Continuous beep | The power supply is faulty or the computer is overheating |
AST BIOS
Number of beeps | Description |
1 short | Error when checking processor registers. Processor failure |
2 short | Keyboard controller buffer error. Keyboard controller malfunction |
3 short | Keyboard controller reset error. Problem with keyboard controller or system board |
4 short | Keyboard communication error |
5 short | Keyboard error |
6 short | System board error |
9 short | BIOS ROM checksum mismatch. The BIOS ROM chip is faulty. |
10 short | System timer error. The system timer chip is faulty. |
11 short | Chipset error. |
12 short | Power management register error in non-volatile memory. |
1 long | DMA controller error 0. The channel 0 DMA controller chip is faulty. |
1 long, 1 short | DMA controller error 1. The channel 1 DMA controller chip is faulty. |
1 long, 2 short | Frame retrace suppression error. The video adapter may be faulty. |
1 long, 3 short | Error in video memory. The memory of the video adapter is faulty. |
1 long, 4 short | Video adapter error. The video adapter is faulty. |
1 long, 5 short | Memory error 64K. |
1 long, 6 short | Failed to load interrupt vectors. BIOS could not load interrupt vectors into memory |
1 long, 7 short | Failed to initialize video hardware. |
1 long, 8 short | Video memory error. |
Pheonix BIOS
The hyphen (-) indicates a pause.
Number of beeps | Description |
1-1-3 | Error writing/reading data to/from CMOS memory. |
1-1-4 | An error was detected while calculating the checksum of the BIOS contents. |
1-2-1 | |
1-2-2 or 1-2-3 | DMA controller initialization error. |
1-3-1 | Error in initializing the RAM regeneration circuit. |
1-3-3 or 1-3-4 | Error initializing the first 64 KB of RAM. |
1-4-1 | Motherboard initialization error. |
1-4-2 | |
1-4-3 | |
1-4-4 | Error writing/reading to/from one of the I/O ports. |
2-1-1 | An error was detected when reading/writing bit 0 (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-1-2 | An error was detected when reading/writing the 1st bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-1-3 | An error was detected when reading/writing the 2nd bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-1-4 | An error was detected when reading/writing the 3rd bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-2-1 | An error was detected while reading/writing the 4th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-2-2 | An error was detected while reading/writing the 5th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-2-3 | An error was detected while reading/writing the 6th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-2-4 | An error was detected when reading/writing the 7th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-3-1 | An error was detected while reading/writing the 8th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-3-2 | An error was detected when reading/writing the 9th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-3-3 | An error was detected while reading/writing the 10th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-3-4 | An error was detected when reading/writing the 11th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-4-1 | An error was detected when reading/writing the 12th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-4-2 | An error was detected while reading/writing the 13th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-4-3 | An error was detected while reading/writing the 14th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
2-4-4 | An error was detected while reading/writing the 15th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM |
3-1-1 | Error initializing the second DMA channel. |
3-1-2 or 3-1-4 | Error initializing the first DMA channel. |
3-2-4 | |
3-3-4 | Error initializing video memory. |
3-4-1 | Serious problems arose when trying to access the monitor. |
3-4-2 | The video card BIOS cannot be initialized. |
4-2-1 | Error initializing the system timer. |
4-2-2 | Testing is complete. |
4-2-3 | Keyboard controller initialization error. |
4-2-4 | Critical error when the CPU enters protected mode. |
4-3-1 | Error initializing RAM. |
4-3-2 | Error initializing the first timer. |
4-3-3 | Error initializing the second timer. |
4-4-1 | Error initializing one of the serial ports. |
4-4-2 | Parallel port initialization error. |
4-4-3 | Error initializing math coprocessor. |
Long, continuous beeps | The motherboard is faulty. |
Siren sound from high to low frequency | The video card is faulty, check the electrolytic capacitors for leaks or replace everything with new ones that are known to be good. |
Continuous signal | The CPU cooler is not connected (defective). |
Compaq BIOS
Number of beeps | Description |
1 short | |
1 long + 1 short | BIOS CMOS memory checksum error. The ROM battery may have run out. |
2 short | Global error. |
1 long + 2 short | Error initializing video card. Check that the video card is installed correctly. |
7 beeps (1 long, 1 s, 1?, 1 short, pause, 1 long, 1 short, 1 short) | AGP video card malfunction. Check that the installation is correct. |
1 long constant | RAM error, try rebooting. |
1 short + 2 long | RAM malfunction. Reboot via Reset. |
DELL BIOS
The hyphen (-) indicates a pause.
Number of beeps | Description |
1-2 | Video card not connected |
1-2-2-3 | BIOS ROM checksum error |
1-3-1-1 | DRAM update error |
1-3-1-3 | Keyboard error |
1-3-3-1 | Memory faulty |
1-3-4-1 | RAM error on line xxx |
1-3-4-3 | RAM error on least significant bit xxx |
1-4-1-1 | RAM error on high bit xxx |
If you have a printer, it is better to print this article, in case your computer does not turn on at the most opportune moment and at the same time emit signals. In one article I already touched on the topic of BIOS: "".
It happens that you start the computer, and it makes strange sounds, signals, squeaking, purring... Moreover, both short and long sound signals appear. Often, when sounds appear, the computer will no longer start. What to do in such a situation? There is an answer!
Listen to the beeps first. Remember how many short and long sounds there were. Then look in the special list of beeps BIOS your combination, and you will find out what the computer is complaining about.
List of test sounds POST (PoweronSelf-Test)
Let's look at the types of signals:
One short beep- no errors found. Your personal computer (PC) is fully operational.
Two short beeps- RAM parity error.
The solution to this problem is to restart your PC. Clean the connectors from dust. Check that the RAM modules are installed correctly. The memory modules may need to be replaced.
You can check the serviceability of the modules using the program memtest86+
Three short beeps— error during operation of main memory (first 64 KB).
The solution to the problem is to restart your computer. Check that the RAM modules are installed correctly. Clean the connectors from dust. The memory modules may need to be replaced.
Four short beeps— indicates a system timer malfunction.
Solution: The motherboard may need to be replaced or repaired. You can try resetting the system BIOS.
Five short beeps- The central processor is faulty.
The solution to the problem is to clean the connectors from dust. Check that the processor is installed correctly. It may need to be replaced. Try a similar processor to identify the exact problem.
Six short beeps— the keyboard controller is faulty.
The solution to the problem is to check the connection of the keyboard connector on the motherboard. If that doesn’t help, try using another keyboard to make sure the keyboard connector is working. PS /2. If this does not give results, then use USB keyboard. The motherboard may need to be replaced.
Seven short beeps- the motherboard or processor is faulty.
Solution: Check all pins on the motherboard. The north bridge on the motherboard may have failed.
Eight short beeps— they talk about a problem with the video card.
The solution to the problem is if the video card is integrated into the motherboard, then you need to install an external video card. If an external one is installed, check the connections. If all else fails, then try another video card to identify the problem.
Nine short beeps- fatal checksum error on the contents of the BIOS chip.
Solution: if the computer starts, then go into the BIOS and reset the settings to standard. Then check the time and date settings. If it doesn't help, you'll need to reflash it. BIOS . The new version can always be downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer's website. If you are too lazy to suffer, then the problem can be solved by installing a new motherboard.
Ten short sounds— it is impossible to write to CMOS memory. Perhaps you decided to reflash the BIOS or wrote down the wrong one...
The solution to the problem is to reflash the chip, replace the CMOS chip or motherboard.
Eleven short beeps— external cache memory is faulty.
Solution: if the computer starts, then go into the BIOS and reset the settings to standard. Then check the time and date settings. If it doesn’t help, then try “throwing up” the working processor.
One long and two short beeps; one long and three short beeps; one long and eight short beeps - indicates a faulty video card orits installation is incorrect.
Solution to the problem - check the connection of the monitor to the connector on the video card, and also check that the video card is installed correctly in the slot AGP or PCI-Express . The video card may need to be replaced. Drop in a working video card to check.
One long continuous beep and repetition of short signals- they tell us about a malfunction in the power supply.
Solution to the problem - check all connections to the power supply (cord, surge protector, connector), and then in the system unit: from the power supply to the components.
Repeating long signals— incorrect operation of the RAM or modules are disconnected or not inserted completely.
Solution to the problem - check whether the RAM is installed and whether it is fully seated in the slots (if there is more than one RAM stick). Try running one at a time to identify the faulty memory module. Clean the connectors from dust.
Often, with many problems, resetting the BIOS and setting the standard correct settings, as well as correctly setting the time and date data, helps. You can reset the BIOS by removing the battery from the motherboard for 10 minutes.
Dear friend! I hope these tips helped and you were able to troubleshoot your computer. Do not forget about safety precautions when working with electrical appliances.
If you heard 3 short beeps during the BIOS hardware check procedure, this means that not everything is in order in your computer. However, it will be difficult for you to find the cause of the malfunction until you look at the BIOS signal table and find out what this signal means.
As you know, different BIOS manufacturers use different tables of sound error messages, and they do not always coincide with each other. As for the situation when you hear 3 short beeps when loading the BIOS, it appears only in some BIOS versions.
One such BIOS version is AMI BIOS. As a rule, if your computer's motherboard is equipped with a similar version of the BIOS, then an information message containing three short beeps indicates an error when checking the first 64 KB of RAM.
Nowadays, when the amount of RAM in modern computers is measured in gigabytes rather than kilobytes, the chance of receiving such an information message is small. However, it may appear on some older computers. If such an error does occur, then you should try to restart the computer using the Reset button. If three short beeps still remain, then you should try to check the reliability of the memory modules in the slots. In the same case, if all the above measures do not bring results, then it will be necessary to change the memory modules.
This signal – three short beeps – has a slightly different meaning in the BIOS from AST. In this BIOS, a similar sequence of sounds means something else - a malfunction of the keyboard controller.
If you hear three short beeps when checking the hardware carried out by the AST BIOS, you should not immediately panic. It is possible that after you reboot again, these signals will disappear and you will be able to use your computer again. If this operation does not help restore the computer's functionality, then you will most likely have to change the keyboard controller, or even the motherboard itself.
Probably, almost every computer user has noticed that when starting up, a characteristic sound is heard, similar to a squeak. In most cases, if all is well, there will be one short beep. Thus, the system informs us about the state of the PC even during startup, before Windows loads.
BIOS(Basic Input/Output System - basic input/output system) is a system-level program located in the BIOS microprocessor. Intended for the initial startup of the computer, it is loaded first after turning on the computer.
When the system starts, the BIOS starts the computer and performs a self-test (Power-On Self Test - POST) to perform general diagnostics of the system and if there are problems, the computer will emit a certain sequence of signals that you only have to decipher.
If you don't hear any sounds, then it's possible that you have a missing speaker on your motherboard. In the event of a computer malfunction, the absence of a speaker makes it a little more difficult to find the problem, but is not critical.
In modern motherboards, the speaker began to be built-in. On older models, the speaker was connected to the board.
BIOS Manufacturer
Each BIOS manufacturer has its own sequence and interpretation of sound signals. Before you begin decoding, you need to find out the manufacturer.
Method 1
The easiest way to determine the company is at the time of boot, usually indicating the manufacturer and BIOS version.
Method 2
You can go into the BIOS during startup and find the “System Information” item or using the Everest (Aida) program in Windows. In both cases, all information will be indicated.
Now all modern computers come with an updated BIOS called UEFI.
Now that we know the BIOS manufacturer, it will not be difficult for us to decipher the sound signals.
AMI BIOS
Signal |
Meaning (decoding) |
1 short |
No errors found |
2 short |
RAM parity error |
3 short |
Malfunction of the first 64 KB of RAM |
4 short |
System timer is faulty |
5 short |
Processor failure |
6 short |
Keyboard controller malfunction |
7 short |
System board failure |
8 short |
Video memory error |
9 short |
Incorrect BIOS checksum |
10 short |
CMOS memory write error |
11 short |
Cache error |
1 long 2 short |
Video adapter is faulty |
1 long 3 short |
|
2 long 2 short |
Floppy controller error |
No signals |
AWARD BIOS
Signal |
Meaning (decoding) |
1 short |
No errors found |
Continuous or short repetitive |
The power supply is faulty or there is a short circuit in the power supply circuits |
1 long or long repeating |
RAM error |
1 long 2 short |
Video adapter not detected or video memory error |
1 long 3 short |
Video adapter error or keyboard error |
3 long |
Keyboard controller error |
1 long 9 short |
BIOS read error or BIOS chip is faulty |
2 short |
A non-critical error was detected. |
No signals |
The power supply or system board is faulty |
Phoenix BIOS
Phoenix BIOS beeps consist of several series of short beeps at intervals. For example, a signal with code 1-2-3 will sound like this: one short beep, pause, two short beeps, pause, three short beeps.
Signal |
Meaning (decoding) |
Error when reading data from the built-in CMOS memory chip |
|
CMOS chip checksum error |
|
Error on system board |
|
System board DMA controller error |
|
Error reading or writing data to one of the DMA channels |
|
Error in RAM |
|
Error in the first 64 KB of main memory |
|
System board error |
|
RAM testing error |
|
from 2-1-1 to 2-4-4 |
Error in one of the bits of the first 64 KB of RAM |
Error in the first DMA channel |
|
Error in the second DMA channel |
|
Error processing interrupts |
|
Motherboard interrupt controller error |
|
Keyboard controller error |
|
Video adapter error |
|
Error when testing video memory |
|
Error while searching for video memory |
|
System Timer Error |
|
Completion of testing |
|
Keyboard controller error |
|
CPU error |
|
RAM testing error |
|
System Timer Error |
|
Real Time Clock Error |
|
Serial port error |
|
Parallel port error |
|
Math coprocessor error |
|
Error in the operation of adapters that have their own BIOS |
|
Error when calculating BIOS checksum |
|
Error in RAM operation |
|
Keyboard controller error |
|
Errors when testing RAM |
|
Error handling unexpected interrupts |
IBM BIOS
Signal |
Meaning (decoding) |
1 short |
No errors found |
1 beep and blank screen |
Video adapter is faulty |
2 short |
Video adapter is faulty |
3 long |
Motherboard faulty (keyboard controller error), RAM faulty |
1 long, 1 short |
Motherboard is faulty |
1 long, 2 short |
Video system faulty (Mono/CGA) |
1 long, 3 short |
Video system (EGA/VGA) is faulty |
Repeating short |
Malfunctions related to the power supply or motherboard |
Continuous |
The power supply or system board is faulty |
Absent |
The power supply, motherboard, or speaker is faulty |
AST BIOS
Signal |
Meaning (decoding) |
1 short |
Error when checking processor registers. Processor failure |
2 short |
Keyboard controller buffer error. Keyboard controller malfunction. |
3 short |
Keyboard controller reset error. The keyboard controller or system board is faulty. |
4 short |
Keyboard communication error. |
5 short |
Keyboard error. |
6 short |
System board error. |
9 short |
BIOS ROM checksum mismatch. The BIOS ROM chip is faulty. |
10 short |
System timer error. The system timer chip is faulty. |
11 short |
System logic chip (chipset) error. |
12 short |
Power management register error in non-volatile memory. |
1 long |
DMA controller error 0. The channel 0 DMA controller chip is faulty. |
1 long, 1 short |
DMA controller error 1. The channel 1 DMA controller chip is faulty. |
1 long, 2 short |
Frame retrace suppression error. The video adapter may be faulty. |
1 long, 3 short |
Error in video memory. The memory of the video adapter is faulty. |
1 long, 4 short |
Video adapter error. The video adapter is faulty. |
1 long, 5 short |
Memory error 64K. |
1 long, 6 short |
Failed to load interrupt vectors. BIOS could not load interrupt vectors into memory |
1 long, 7 short |
The video subsystem failed to initialize. |
1 long, 8 short |
Video memory error. |
Compaq BIOS
Signal |
Meaning (decoding) |
1 short |
No errors found |
1 long + 1 short |
BIOS CMOS memory checksum error. The ROM battery may have run out. |
2 short |
Global error. |
1 long + 2 short |
Error initializing video card. Check that the video card is installed correctly. |
7 beeps (1 long, 1 s, 1?, 1 short, pause, 1 long, 1 short, 1 short) |
AGP video card malfunction. Check that the installation is correct. |
1 long constant |
RAM error, try rebooting. |
1 short + 2 long |
RAM malfunction. Reboot via Reset. |
DELL BIOS
As with the Phoenix BIOS, the DELL BIOS uses a similar signaling system. For example, 1-3-1-1 would sound like this: one beep, pause, three beeps, pause, one beep, pause, one beep.
Signal |
Meaning (decoding) |
Video card not connected |
|
BIOS ROM checksum error |
|
DRAM update error |
|
Keyboard error 8742 |
|
Memory faulty |
|
RAM error on line xxx |
|
RAM error on least significant bit xxx |
|
1-4-1-1 test |
RAM error on high bit xxx |
Quadtel BIOS
Signal |
Meaning (decoding) |
1 short beep |
No errors found |
2 short beeps |
CMOS RAM is damaged. Replace IC if possible |
1 long, 2 short beeps |
Video adapter error. The video adapter is faulty. Reinstall the video adapter or replace the adapter if possible |
1 long, 3 short beeps |
One or more of the peripheral controllers is faulty. Replace controllers and retest |
UEFI BIOS
Signal |
Meaning (decoding) |
1 short |
|
2 short |
There are non-critical errors. |
3 long |
The keyboard controller generated an error |
1 short + 1 long |
RAM is faulty |
1 long + 2 short |
The video card signals an error |
1 long + 3 short |
Video memory error |
1 long + 9 short |
Error reading from ROM |
Continuous short beeps |
Malfunction of the power supply or RAM |
Continuous long beeps |
RAM problems |
Alternating long and short signals |
Processor failure |
Continuous signal |
Indicates problems with the power supply |