AMI BIOS beep codes

AMI BIOS beep codes

description

# of beeps description What's Wrong

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.

1 Refresh failure One beep is good! Everything is A-OK, that is, if you see things on the screen. If you don't see anything, check your monitor and video card first. Is everything connected? If they seem fine, your motherboard has some bad chips on it. First reset the SIMMs and reboot. If it does the same thing, one of the DRAM refresh chips on the motherboard is bad, and you most likely need to get another motherboard since these chips are soldered on.

2 Memory parity error 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 banks 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 Base 64K memory failure Same as 2 beeps; follow diagnosis above.

4 Timer not operational Your problem could be a bad timer. The system timer failed to work properly.

5 Processor error Your motherboard is complaining. Try reseating the memory and rebooting. Since this indicated a processor failure, you could probably get away with just replacing the CPU.

6 i8042 - gate A20 failure 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 Processor exception interrupt error Your CPU is broken and no good. It has generated an interrupt failure error.

8 Display memory read / write error 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 ROM checksum error Your BIOS is bad; replace it.

10 CMOS shutdown register read / write error 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 Cache memory bad Your 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 external cache memory.

# of beeps	description	What's Wrong
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.
1	Refresh failure	One beep is good! Everything is A-OK, that is, if you see things on the screen. If you don't see anything, check your monitor and video card first. Is everything connected? If they seem fine, your motherboard has some bad chips on it. First reset the SIMMs and reboot. If it does the same thing, one of the DRAM refresh chips on the motherboard is bad, and you most likely need to get another motherboard since these chips are soldered on.
2	Memory parity error	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 banks 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	Base 64K memory failure	Same as 2 beeps; follow diagnosis above.
4	Timer not operational	Your problem could be a bad timer. The system timer failed to work properly.
5	Processor error	Your motherboard is complaining. Try reseating the memory and rebooting. Since this indicated a processor failure, you could probably get away with just replacing the CPU.
6	i8042 - gate A20 failure	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	Processor exception interrupt error	Your CPU is broken and no good. It has generated an interrupt failure error.
8	Display memory read / write error	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	ROM checksum error	Your BIOS is bad; replace it.
10	CMOS shutdown register read / write error	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	Cache memory bad	Your 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 external cache memory.