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I have tried to make this a comprehensive reference guide for all motherboards by borrowing info from various sources on the web. Feel free to shoot me a PM with updates or corrections.

AMI BIOS Beep Codes:

Beeps Error Message Description
1 short DRAM refresh failure- The programmable interrupt timer or programmable interrupt controller has probably failed

2 short Memory parity error- A memory parity error has occurred in the first 64K of RAM. The RAM IC is probably bad

3 short Base 64K memory failure- A memory failure has occurred in the first 64K of RAM. The RAM IC is probably bad

4 short System timer failure- The system clock/timer IC has failed or there is a memory error in the first bank of memory

5 short Processor error- The system CPU has failed

6 short Gate A20 failure- The keyboard controller IC has failed, which is not allowing Gate A20 to switch the processor to protected mode. Replace the keyboard controller

7 short Virtual mode processor exception error- The CPU has generated an exception error because of a fault in the CPU or motherboard circuitry

8 short Display memory read/write error- The system video adapter is missing or defective

9 short ROM checksum error- The contents of the system BIOS ROM does not match the expected checksum value. The BIOS ROM is probably defective and should be replaced

10 short CMOS shutdown register read/write error- The shutdown for the CMOS has failed

11 short Cache error- The L2 cache is faulty

1 long, 2 short Failure in video system- An error was encountered in the video BIOS ROM, or a horizontal retrace failure has been encountered

1 long, 3 short Memory test failure- A fault has been detected in memory above 64KB

1 long, 8 short Display test failure-The video adapter is either missing or defective

2 short POST [Power On Self Test] Failure- One of the hardware tests have failed. Frequently caused by failed ram, but not always.

1 long POST [Power On Self Test]- has passed all tests

For Motherboards with AWARD BIOS


Beeps Error Message Description

1long, 2 short Video adapter error- Either video adapter is bad or is not seated properly. Also, check to ensure the monitor cable is connected properly.

Repeating (endless loop) Memory error- Check for improperly seated or missing memory.

1long, 3short No video card or bad video RAM- Reseat or replace the video card.

High frequency beeps while running Overheated CPU- Check the CPU fan for proper operation. Check the case for proper air flow.

Repeating High/Low CPU failure- Either the CPU is not seated properly or the CPU is damaged. May also be due to excess heat. Check the CPU fan or BIOS settings for proper fan speed.

IBM DESKTOPS

Beeps Error Message Description

1 short Normal POST- System is booting properly

2 short Initialization error- Error code is displayed

1 long, 1 short System board error

1 long, 2 short Video adapter error

1 long, 3 short EGA/VGA adapter error

3 long 3270 keyboard adapter error

Continuous Power supply error- Replace the power supply

999s Power supply error- Replace the power supply

No beep Power supply failure- Replace the power supply

---------------------------------------------------------------------

IBM THINKPAD LAPTOPS

Continuous beeping: System board failure

One beep; Unreadable, blank or flashing LCD: LCD connector problem; LCD backlight inverter failure; video adapter faulty; LCD assembly faulty; System board failure; or power supply failure

One beep /Message "Unable to access boot source": Boot device failure; system board failure

One long, two short beeps:System board failure- Video adapter problem; LCD assembly failure

One long, four short beeps: Low battery voltage

One beep every second: Low battery voltage

Two short beeps with error codes: POST error message

Two short beeps: System board failure

AST BIOS


Beeps Error Description

1 short CPU register test failure- The CPU has failed

2 short Keyboard controller buffer failure- The keyboard controller has failed

3 short Keyboard controller reset failure- The keyboard controller has failed or the motherboard circuitry is faulty

4 short Keyboard communication failure- Either the keyboard controller IC or the associated circuitry has failed. replace the keyboard first, then is still faulty, replace the keyboard controller IC

5 short Keyboard input failure- The keyboard controller IC has failed. Replace the IC

6 short System board chipset failure- The chipset on the motherboard has failed. Replace the motherboard.

9 short BIOS ROM checksum error- The BIOS ROM has failed. If possible, replace the BIOS on the motherboard

10 short System timer test failure- The system clock IC has failed. CMOS Battery might require replacement.

11 short ASIC failure- Motherboard circuitry has failed. Replace the motherboard

12 short CMOS RAM shutdown register failure- THE real time clock/CMOS IC failed. Replace the CMOS or motherboard

1 long DMA controller 0 failure- The DMA controller IC for channel 0 has failed. If possible, replace the IC

1 long, 1 short DMA controller 1 failure- The DMA controller IC for channel 1 has failed. If possible, replace the IC

1 long, 2 short Video vertical retrace failure- The video adapter has probably failed. Replace the video adapter

1 long, 3 short Video memory test failure- The video adapter's memory has failed. Replace the video adapter

1 long, 4 short Video adapter failure- The video adapter has failed. Replace the video adapter

1 long, 5 short 64KB memory failure- A failure has occurred in the base 64KB of memory. If possible, replace the RAM IC

1 long, 6 short Unable to load interrupt vectors- The BIOS was unable to load the interrupt vectors into memory

1 long, 7 short Unable to initialize video- This a video problem. Replace the video adapter first. If problem is still present, replace the motherboard

1 long, 8 short Video memory failure- The is a failure in the video memory. Replace the video adapter first. If problem is still present, replace the motherboard

FOR COMPAQ motherboards

BEEPS ERROR DESCRIPTION

1 short No error- System is booting properly

1 long, 1 short BIOS ROM checksum error- The contents of the BIOS ROM to not match the expected contents. If possible, reload the BIOS from the PAQ

2 short General error- Unknown

1 long, 2 short Video error- Check the video adapter and ensure it's seated properly. If possible, replace the video adapter

7 beeps (1 long, 1s, 1l, 1 short, pause, 1 long, 1 short, 1 short
AGP video- The AGP video card is faulty. Reseat the card or replace it outright. This beep pertains to Compaq Deskpro systems

1 long never ending beep Memory error- Bad RAM. Replace and test

1 short, 2 long Bad RAM- Reseat RAM then retest; replace RAM if failure continues

Beeps Error Description

1Beep Normal boot- System is booting normally

2 Beeps Video adapter error- The video adapter is either faulty or not seated properly. Check the adapter

3 Beeps Keyboard controller error- The keyboard controller IC is faulty. Replace the IC if possible

4 Beeps Keyboard error- The keyboard controller IC is faulty or the keyboard is faulty. Replace the keyboard, if problem still persists, replace the keyboard controller IC

5 Beeps PIC 0 error- The programmable interrupt controller is faulty. Replace the IC if possible

6 Beeps PIC 1 error- The programmable interrupt controller is faulty. replace the IC if possible

7 Beeps DMA page register error- The DMA controller IC is faulty. Replace the IC if possible

8 Beeps RAM refresh error- Replace RAM

9 Beeps RAM data error- Replace RAM

10 Beeps RAM parity error- Replace RAM

11 Beeps DMA controller 0 error- The DMA controller IC for channel 0 has failed

12 Beeps CMOS RAM error- The CMOS RAM has failed

13 Beeps DMA controller 1 error- The DMA controller IC for channel 1 has failed

14 Beeps CMOS RAM battery error- The CMOS RAM battery has failed. If possible, replace the CMOS or battery

15 Beeps CMOS RAM checksum error- The CMOS RAM has failed. If possible, replace the CMOS

16 Beeps BIOS ROM checksum error- The BIOS ROM has failed. If possible replace the BIOS or upgrade it

BEEPS ERROR DESCRIPTION
1 long Normal boot- System is booting normally

2 long Video adapter failure- Either the video adapter is faulty, not seated properly or is missing

1 long, 1 short, 1 long Keyboard controller error- Either the keyboard controller IC is faulty or the system board circuitry is faulty

1 long, 2 short, 1 long Keyboard error- Either the keyboard controller is faulty or the system board circuitry is faulty. Also check keyboard cable and pins

1 long, 3 short, 1 long PIC 0 error- The programmable interrupt controller IC is faulty

1 long 4 short, 1 long PIC 1 error- The programmable interrupt controller IC is faulty

1 long, 5 short, 1 long DMA page register error- The DMA controller IC 1 or 2 is faulty or the system board circuitry is faulty

1 long, 6 short, 1 long RAM refresh error- Replace RAM

1 long, 7 short, 1 long RAM data error- Replace RAM

1 long, 8 short, 1 long RAM parity error- Replace RAM

1 long, 9 short, 1 long DMA controller 1 error- The DMA controller for channel 0 is faulty or the system board circuitry is faulty

1 long, 10 short, 1 long CMOS RAM error- Either the CMOS RAM is faulty. Replace the CMOS.

1 long, 11 short, 1 long DMA controller 2 error- The DMA controller for channel 1 is faulty or the system board circuitry is faulty

1 long, 12 short, 1 long CMOS RAM battery error- The CMOS RAM battery is faulty or the CMOS RAM is bad. Replace the battery if possible

1 long, 13 short, 1 long CMOS checksum error- The CMOS RAM is faulty

1 long 14 short, 1 long BIOS ROM checksum failure-The BIOS ROM checksum is faulty. Replace the BIOS or upgrade

Beeps Error Messages Description
1 short Normal boot- System is booting normally

2 short CMOS IC error- The CMOS RAM is faulty. Replace the IC if possible

1 long, 2 short Video failure- The video adapter is faulty. Reseat the video adapter or replace the adapter if possible

1 long, 3 short Peripheral controller error- One or more of the system peripheral controllers is bad. Replace the controllers and retest

Phoenix ISA/MCA/EISA BIOS Beep Codes:
The beep codes are represented in the number of beeps. E.g. 1-1-2 would mean 1 beep, a pause, 1 beep, a pause, and 2 beeps.
With a Dell computer, a 1-2 beep code can also indicate that a bootable add-in card is installed but no boot device is attached. For example, in you insert a Promise Ultra-66 card but do not connect a hard drive to it, you will get the beep code. I verified this with a SIIG (crap -- avoid like the plague) Ultra-66 card, and then confirmed the results with Dell. Credit to John Palmer.

Beeps Error Message Description
1-1-2 CPU test failure- The CPU is faulty. Replace the CPU
Low 1-1-2 System board select failure- The motherboard is having an undetermined fault. Replace the motherboard
1-1-3 CMOS read/write error- The real time clock/CMOS is faulty. Replace the CMOS if possible

Low 1-1-3 Extended CMOS RAM failure- The extended portion of the CMOS RAM has failed. Replace the CMOS if possible

1-1-4 BIOS ROM checksum error- The BIOS ROM has failed. Replace the BIOS or upgrade if possible

1-2-1 PIT failure- The programmable interrupt timer has failed. Replace if possible

1-2-2 DMA failure- The DMA controller has failed. Replace the IC if possible
1-2-3 DMA read/write failure- The DMA controller has failed. Replace the IC if possible
1-3-1 RAM refresh failure- The RAM refresh controller has failed
1-3-2 64KB RAM failure- The test of the first 64KB RAM has failed to start
1-3-3 First 64KB RAM failure- The first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
1-3-4 First 64KB logic failure- The first RAM control logic has failed
1-4-1 Address line failure- The address line to the first 64KB RAM has failed
1-4-2 Parity RAM failure- The first RAM IC has failed. Replace if possible
1-4-3 EISA fail-safe timer test- Replace the motherboard
1-4-4 EISA NMI port 462 test- Replace the motherboard
2-1-1 64KB RAM failure
Bit 0; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-1-2 64KB RAM failure
Bit 1; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-1-3 64KB RAM failure
Bit 2; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-1-4 64KB RAM failure
Bit 3; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-2-1 64KB RAM failure
Bit 4; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-2-2 64KB RAM failure
Bit 5; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-2-364KB RAM failure
Bit 6; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-2-4 64KB RAM failure
Bit 7; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-3-1 64KB RAM failure
Bit 8; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-3-2 64KB RAM failure
Bit 9; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-3-3 64KB RAM failure
Bit 10; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-3-4 64KB RAM failure
Bit 11; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-4-1 64KB RAM failure
Bit 12; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-4-2 64KB RAM failure
Bit 13; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-4-3 64KB RAM failure
Bit 14; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
2-4-4 64KB RAM failure
Bit 15; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
3-1-1 Slave DMA register failure
The DMA controller has failed. Replace the controller if possible
3-1-2 Master DMA register failure
The DMA controller had failed. Replace the controller if possible
3-1-3 Master interrupt mask register failure- The interrupt controller IC has failed
3-1-4 Slave interrupt mask register failure- The interrupt controller IC has failed
3-2-2Interrupt vector error- The BIOS was unable to load the interrupt vectors into memory. Replace the motherboard
3-2-3 Reserved
3-2-4Keyboard controller failure- The keyboard controller has failed. Replace the IC if possible
3-3-1 CMOS RAM power bad- Replace the CMOS battery or CMOS RAM if possible
3-3-2 CMOS configuration error- The CMOS configuration has failed. Restore the configuration or replace the battery if possible
3-3-3Reserved
3-3-4 Video memory failure- There is a problem with the video memory. Replace the video adapter if possible
3-4-1 Video initialization failure- There is a problem with the video adapter. Reseat the adapter or replace the adapter if possible
4-2-1 Timer failure- The system's timer IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
4-2-2 Shutdown failure- The CMOS has failed. Replace the CMOS IC if possible
4-2-3 Gate A20 failure- The keyboard controller has failed. Replace the IC if possible
4-2-4 Unexpected interrupt in protected mode- This is a CPU problem. Replace the CPU and retest
4-3-1 RAM test failure- System RAM addressing circuitry is faulty. Replace the motherboard
4-3-3 Interval timer channel 2 failure- The system timer IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
4-3-4Time of day clock failure- The real time clock/CMOS has failed. Replace the CMOS if possible
4-4-1 Serial port failure- A error has occurred in the serial port circuitry
4-4-2 Parallel port failure- A error has occurred in the parallel port circuitry
4-4-3 Math coprocessor failure- The math coprocessor has failed. If possible, replace the MPU

Phoenix ISA/MCA/EISA BIOS Beep Codes - PART 2

Beeps Description
1-1-1-3Verify real mode
1-1-2-1Get CPU type
1-1-2-3Initialize system hardware
1-1-3-1Initialize chipset registers with initial values
1-1-3-2Set in POST flag
1-1-3-3Initialize CPU registers
1-1-4-1Initialize cache to initial values
1-1-4-3Initialize I/O
1-2-1-1Initialize power management
1-2-1-2Load alternative registers with initial POST values
1-2-1-3Jump to UserPatch0
1-2-2-1Initialize timer initialization
1-2-3-18254 timer initialization
1-2-3-38237 DMA controller initialization
1-2-4-1Reset Programmable Interrupt Controller
1-3-1-1Test DRAM refresh
1-3-1-3Test 8742 Keyboard Controller
1-3-2-1Set ES segment register to 4GB
1-3-3-1Autosize DRAM
1-3-3-3Clear 512K base memory
1-3-4-1Test 512K base address lines
1-3-4-3Test 51K base memory
1-4-1-3Test CPU bus-clock frequency
1-4-2-1CMOS RAM read/write failure (this commonly indicates a problem on the ISA bus such as a card not seated)
1-4-2-4Reinitialize the chipset
1-4-3-1Shadow system BIOS ROM
1-4-3-2Reinitialize the cache
1-4-3-3Autosize the cache
1-4-4-1Configure advanced chipset registers
1-4-4-2Load alternate registers with CMOS values
2-1-1-1Set initial CPU speed
2-1-1-3Initialize interrupt vectors
2-1-2-1Initialize BIOS interrupts
2-1-2-3Check ROM copyright notice
2-1-2-4Initialize manager for PCI Options ROMs
2-1-3-1Check video configuration against CMOS
2-1-3-2Initialize PCI bus and devices
2-1-3-3initialize all video adapters in system
2-1-4-1Shadow video BIOS ROM
2-1-4-3Display copyright notice
2-2-1-1Display CPU type and speed
2-2-1-3Test keyboard
2-2-2-1Set key click if enabled
2-2-2-3Enable keyboard
2-2-3-1Test for unexpected interrupts
2-2-3-3Display prompt "Press F2 to enter setup"
2-2-4-1Test RAM between 512K and 640K
2-3-1-1Test expanded memory
2-3-1-3Test extended memory address lines
2-3-2-1Jump to UserPatch1
2-3-2-3Enable external and CPU caches
2-3-2-3Configure advanced cache registers
2-3-3-1Enable external and CPU caches
2-3-3-2Initialize SMI handler
2-3-3-3Display external cache size
2-3-4-1Display shadow message
2-3-4-3Display non-disposable segments
2-4-1-1Display error messages
2-4-1-3Check for configuration errors
2-4-2-1Test real-time clock
2-4-2-3Check for keyboard errors
2-4-4-1Setup hardware interrupt vectors
2-4-4-3Test coprocessor if present
3-1-1-1Disable onboard I/O ports
3-1-1-3Detect and install external RS232 ports
3-1-2-1Detect and install external parallel ports
3-1-2-3Reinitialize onboard I/O ports
3-1-3-1Initialize BIOS Data Area
3-1-3-3Initialize Extended BIOS Data Area
3-1-4-1Initialize floppy controller
3-2-1-1Initialize hard disk controller
3-2-1-2Initialize local bus hard disk controller
3-2-1-3Jump to UserPatch2
3-2-2-1Disable A20 address line
3-2-2-3Clear huge ES segment register
3-2-3-1Search for option ROMs
3-2-3-3Shadow option ROMs
3-2-4-1Setup power management
3-2-4-3 Enable hardware interrupts
3-3-1-1 Set time of day
3-3-1-3 Check key lock
3-3-3-1 Erase F2 prompt
3-3-3-3 Scan for F2 keystroke
3-3-4-1 Enter SETUP
3-3-4-3 Clear in-POST flag
3-4-1-1 Check for errors
3-4-1-3 POST done - prepare to boot operating system
3-4-2-1 One beep
3-4-2-3 Check password (optional)
3-4-3-1 Clear global descriptor table
3-4-4-1 Clear parity checkers
3-4-4-3 Check virus and backup reminders
4-1-1-1 Try to boot with INT 19
4-2-1-1 Interrupt handler error
4-2-1-3 Unknown interrupt error
4-2-2-1 Pending interrupt error
4-2-2-3 Initialize option ROM error
4-2-3-1 Shutdown error
4-2-3-3 Extended Block Move
4-2-4-1 Shutdown 10 error
4-2-4-3 Keyboard Controller failure (most likely problem is with RAM or cache unless no video is present)
4-3-1-3 Initialize the chipset
4-3-1-4 Initialize refresh counter
4-3-2-1 Check for Forced Flash
4-3-2-2 BIOS ROM is OK
4-3-2-4 Do a complete RAM test
4-3-3-1 Do OEM initialization
4-3-3-2 Initialize interrupt controller
4-3-3-3 Read in bootstrap code
4-3-3-4 Initialize all vectors
4-3-4-2 Initialize the boot device
4-3-4-3 Boot code was read OK

IBM DIAGNOSTIC CODE DESCRIPTIONS


100 - 199 System Board
200 - 299 Memory
300 - 399 Keyboard
400 - 499 Monochrome Display
500 - 599 Color/Graphics Display
600 - 699 Floppy-disk drive and/or Adapter
700 - 799 Math Coprocessor
900 - 999 Parallel Printer Port
1000 - 1099 Alternate Printer Adapter
1100 - 1299 Asynchronous Communication Device, Adapter, or Port
1300 - 1399 Game Port
1400 - 1499 Color/Graphics Printer
1500 - 1599 Synchronous Communication Device, Adapter, or Port
1700 - 1799 Hard Drive and/or Adapter
1800 - 1899 Expansion Unit (XT)
2000 - 2199 Bisynchronous Communication Adapter
2400 - 2599 EGA system-board Video (MCA)
3000 - 3199 LAN Adapter
4800 - 4999 Internal Modem
7000 - 7099 Phoenix BIOS Chips
7300 - 7399 3.5" Disk Drive
8900 - 8999 MIDI Adapter
11200 - 11299 SCSI Adapter
21000 - 21099 SCSI Fixed Disk and Controller
21500 - 21599 SCSI CD-ROM System

Note- some motherboards do not give an AUDIO alert for BIOS beep/ hardware failures. LED light flashes can provide indication. If so, consult your motherboard manual. For example, MSI motherboards equipped with a D-bracket will show the following:

*= lit
0 = unlit

**
**
System Power ON -The D-LED will hang here if the processor is damaged or not installed properly.

0*
**
Early Chipset Initialization

*0
**
Memory Detection Test- Testing onboard memory size. The D-LED will hang if the memory module is damaged or not installed properly

00
**
Decompressing BIOS image to RAM for fast booting

**
0*
Initializing Keyboard Controller

0*
0*
Testing VGA BIOS- This will start writing VGA sign-on message to the screen

*0
0*
Processor Initialization- This will show information regarding the processor (like brand name, system bus, etc...)

00
0*
Testing RTC (Real Time Clock)

**
*0
Initializing Video Interface- This will start detecting CPU clock, checking type of video onboard. Then, detect and initialize the video adapter

0*
*0
BIOS Sign On- This will start showing information about logo, processor brand name, etc...

*0
*0
Testing Base and Extended Memory- Testing base memory from 240K to 640K and extended memory above 1MB using various patterns

00
*0
Assign Resources to all ISA

**
00
Initializing Hard Drive Controller
- This will initialize IDE drive and controller

0*
00
Initializing Floppy Drive Controller- This will initializing Floppy Drive and controller

*0
00
Boot Attempt- This will set low stack and boot via INT 19h

00
00
Operating System Booting

Informative information...

Thanks for it and keep it up

Tedster, this is an amazing piece of work. You have made a contribution that will help all serious techs and meddlers. Thank you! Thank you !

Can we call it the Tedster Codes List? or something with your name attached.

RayBay

Very nice job....I commend you on the effort you put forth for the betterment of us all. Thank you
And yes I agree with raybay ,I think that that would be a good title for it.

I try to add guides periodically. Some are collections off the net, others are original compositions, some are a mix. You're all welcome.

Excellent work . If only all pc problems could have this sort of guide so much peoples time would be saved.

Excellent work, thanks