BIOS error 1 long 2 short. Cheat sheet - BIOS sound signals and their interpretation

29.08.2023

Drivers

Reading time: 3 min

BIOS beeps can be very helpful in diagnosing your computer. If the computer does not turn on, but there are sound signals, this will make troubleshooting much easier and by deciphering this sound combination you can understand where to look. Unless, of course, there is a speaker on the motherboard that makes these sounds.

What do 1 long and 2 short beeps mean when you start your computer?

If when you turn on your computer you hear system unit one long and two short signals and nothing is entered on the monitor screen, then most likely the fault lies in the video card or in the connector on the motherboard.

The same signal but very rarely can be due to a malfunction random access memory, depending on the BIOS manufacturer.

There were also cases when such BIOS beeps were played when the motherboard did not support the installed processor, but this option can be immediately eliminated if the processor in the computer did not change.

What to do

Before entering the system unit, turn off the power to the computer.

If 1 long and 2 short beeps means that the problem is in the video card, then let's start with it. We open the case of the system unit, carefully remove the video card in order to wipe the contacts with an eraser and install the video card in place. If the contact simply disappears, then the sound signal should disappear and the computer will turn on.

If you do not have an external video card and the computer was working through the built-in one, then take an external video card and try to turn on the computer through it. The built-in video card may have failed.

Inspect the motherboard, as well as the video card, for swollen capacitors, this is often the reason that the computer does not turn on. If such capacitors are present, they need to be replaced. You can replace it yourself if you have ever held a soldering iron in your hands. Or take the motherboard to a workshop.

The next step to identify the reason why one long and two short signals are emitted is to extract the RAM. If you have several RAM sticks installed, then remove them all. We wipe them with an eraser, insert one strip into the motherboard, and try to turn it on. If it doesn’t turn on, take out the RAM and insert it into another slot and do this with each stick.

If after all the actions described above and you still hear this beep and if these signals appeared after installing a new processor or assembled new computer, then most likely this signal indicates the incompatibility of the motherboard with the processor, RAM or video card. To check this, you need to go to the official website of the motherboard manufacturer and see what processors and RAM the motherboard is compatible with.

If none of the above helped you, then write in the comments, we will try to help.

Why do you need a BIOS:

1. When the computer boots, it checks for the presence of basic hardware and its functionality. If, for example, RAM, a processor, or another device necessary for PC operation is “burned out,” the BIOS will give a signal with a special sound (the set of signals will be different for each component).

2. The BIOS loads the bootloader, which in turn loads the OS.

3. BIOS allows the OS to communicate with peripheral equipment.

4. BIOS allows you to configure many hardware components, monitor their status and operating parameters. The settings made by the user are saved there, for example, the current date and time, and allows you to turn on and off the equipment built into the motherboard.
To determine the BIOS type I recommend looking at the time of boot, usually in the upper left part of the screen there is information about the manufacturer and BIOS version, or going into the BIOS settings, usually pressing the Delete key several times after turning on the PC.

UEFI BIOS

	Description of the error
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

Sequence of beeps	Bios error description

1 short	Successful POST
1 beep and blank screen	Video system is faulty
2 short	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

Sequence of beeps	Description of the error

1 short	Successful POST
2 short	Minor errors found. A prompt to log in appears on the monitor screen. into the CMOS Setup Utility program and correct the situation. Check the security of the fastening cables in connectors hard drive and motherboard.
3 long	Keyboard controller error
1 short 1 long	Random access memory (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	Problems with the power supply; RAM problems
Repeating long	RAM problems
Repeated high-low frequency	CPU problems
Continuous	Problems with the power supply

Sequence of beeps	Description of the error

1 short	No errors found, PC is working fine
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 timer 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 1 short	Problems with the power supply
1 long 2 short	Video card error (Mono-CGA)
1 long 3 short	Video card error (EGA-VGA)
1 long 4 short	No video card
1 long 8 short	Problems with the video card or the monitor is not connected
3 long	RAM - Read/Write test completed with error. Reinstall the memory or replace it with a working module.
Missing and blank screen	The processor is faulty. The contact leg of the processor may be bent (broken). Check the processor.
Continuous beep	The power supply is faulty or the computer is overheating

AST BIOS

Sequence of beeps	Description of the error

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	Mismatch checksum BIOS ROM. 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 DMA controller chip on channel 0 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 was unable to load interrupt vectors into memory
1 long 7 short	Failed to initialize video hardware.
1 long 8 short	Video memory error.

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

Sequence of sound signals, description of errors without table:

1-1-2 Error during processor test. The processor is faulty. Replace the processor
1-1-3 Error writing/reading data to/from CMOS memory.
1-1-4 An error was detected when calculating the checksum of the BIOS contents.
1-2-1 Motherboard initialization error.
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 Error initializing RAM.
1-4-3 Error initializing the system timer.
1-4-4 Error writing/reading to/from one of the I/O ports.
2-1-1 An error was detected while 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 when reading/writing the 4th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM
2-2-2 An error was detected when reading/writing the 5th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM
2-2-3 An error was detected when 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 when 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 when 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 while reading/writing the 12th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM
2-4-2 An error was detected when reading/writing the 13th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM
2-4-3 An error was detected when reading/writing the 14th bit (in hexadecimal) of the first 64 KB of RAM
2-4-4 An error was detected when 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 Keyboard controller initialization error.
3-3-4 Error initializing video memory.
3-4-1 Serious problems occurred when trying to access the monitor.
3-4-2 The video card BIOS cannot be initialized.
4-2-1 System timer initialization error.
4-2-2 Testing completed.
4-2-3 Keyboard controller initialization error.
4-2-4 Critical error when the central processor enters protected mode.
4-3-1 Error initializing RAM.
4-3-2 Error initializing the first timer.
4-3-3 Error in initializing the second timer.
4-4-1 Error initializing one of the serial ports.
4-4-2 Parallel port initialization error.
4-4-3 Math coprocessor initialization error.
Long, continuous beeps—the motherboard is faulty.
The sound of a siren from high to low frequency means 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 (faulty).

In contact with

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 system input/output) 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.

That's it now modern computers come out 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	Video adapter is faulty
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 DMA controller chip on channel 0 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 was unable to 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

One long and two short BIOS beeps mean that during a hardware check, a problem was detected with one of the devices. In this case, nothing is usually displayed on the screen.

What does one long and two short BIOS beeps mean?

BIOS can be different versions, so this combination of signals can indicate different hardware problems. In most BIOS versions, one long and two short beeps mean that a problem has been detected with the video card (which problem depends on the BIOS version). The main BIOS versions and signal decoding for them are described below:

AST BIOS and Award BIOS - this combination of sounds is generated if there is a problem with the video card;

IBM BIOS and AMI BIOS. This signal is generated only if the computer is equipped with Mono/CGA video cards and they do not respond. In recent years, they have hardly been used, so the likelihood of encountering such a signal in this BIOS version is very low;

Compaq BIOS and Quadtel BIOS. Such signals mean that there was an error in initializing the video card.

How to fix the problem?

In order for the computer to start normally, try removing the video card and wiping all contacts with a dry cloth. If dirt has stuck to them (or stains are visible), wipe it off with a regular office eraser. Insert the video card back and turn on the computer. If this method does not help, you will need to contact the service; most likely, a technical problem has arisen.

Since Bios versions are constantly updated, one long and two short beeps may mean something else. In this case, you need to look at the Bios version and then search the Internet for this error for a specific software version.

Or ask us by writing your question in the comments right below this answer. We will definitely help you!

Compaq BIOS:

	Error Message	Description
		System is booting properly
	BIOS ROM checksum error	The contents of the BIOS ROM to not match the expected contents. If possible, reload the BIOS from the PAQ

		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)		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
		Reseat RAM then retest; replace RAM if failure continues

IBM Desktop BIOS:

	Error Message	Description
		System is booting properly
	Initialization error	Error code is displayed
	System board error
	Video adapter error
	EGA/VGA adapter error
	3270 keyboard adapter error
	Power supply error	Replace the power supply
	Power supply error	Replace the power supply
		Replace the power supply

IBM Thinkpad BIOS:

Beeps/Error	Description
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; 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
	System board failure

IBM Intellistation BIOS:

Beep error code:	Action / Run diagnostics on the following components:
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	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 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

Mylex BIOS:

	Error Message	Description
		System is booting normally
	Video adapter error	The video adapter is either faulty or not seated properly. Check the adapter
	Keyboard controller error	The keyboard controller IC is faulty. Replace the IC if possible
		The keyboard controller IC is faulty or the keyboard is faulty. Replace the keyboard, if problem still persists, replace the keyboard controller IC
		The programmable interrupt controller is faulty. Replace the IC if possible
		The programmable interrupt controller is faulty. replace the IC if possible
	DMA page register error	The DMA controller IC is faulty. Replace the IC if possible
	RAM refresh error

	RAM parity error
	DMA controller 0 error	The DMA controller IC for channel 0 has failed
		The CMOS RAM has failed
	DMA controller 1 error	The DMA controller IC for channel 1 has failed
	CMOS RAM battery error	The CMOS RAM battery has failed. If possible, replace the CMOS or battery
	CMOS RAM checksum error	The CMOS RAM has failed. If possible, replace the CMOS
	BIOS ROM checksum error	The BIOS ROM has failed. If possible replace the BIOS or upgrade it

Mylex 386 BIOS:

	Error Message	Description
		System is booting normally
	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		Either the keyboard controller is faulty or the system board circuitry is faulty
1 long, 3 short, 1 long
1 long 4 short, 1 long		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
1 long, 7 short, 1 long
1 long, 8 short, 1 long	RAM parity error
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		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

Phoenix ISA/MCA/EISA BIOS:

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.

	Error Message	Description
	CPU test failure	The CPU is faulty. Replace the CPU
	System board select failure	The motherboard is having an undetermined fault. Replace the motherboard
	CMOS read/write error	The real time clock/CMOS is faulty. Replace the CMOS if possible
	Extended CMOS RAM failure	The extended portion of the CMOS RAM has failed. Replace the CMOS if possible
	BIOS ROM checksum error	The BIOS ROM has failed. Replace the BIOS or upgrade if possible
		The programmable interrupt timer has failed. Replace if possible

	DMA read/write failure	The DMA controller has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	RAM refresh failure	The RAM refresh controller has failed
	64KB RAM failure	The test of the first 64KB RAM has failed to start
	First 64KB RAM failure	The first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	First 64KB logic failure	The first RAM control logic has failed
	Address line failure	The address line to the first 64KB RAM has failed
	Parity RAM failure	The first RAM IC has failed. Replace if possible
	EISA fail-safe timer test	Replace the motherboard
	EISA NMI port 462 test	Replace the motherboard
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 0; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 1; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 2; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 3; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 4; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 5; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 6; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 7; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 8; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 9; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 10; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 11; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 12; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 13; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 14; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	64KB RAM failure	Bit 15; This data bit on the first RAM IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	Slave DMA register failure	The DMA controller has failed. Replace the controller if possible
	Master DMA register failure	The DMA controller had failed. Replace the controller if possible
	Master interrupt mask register failure
	Slave interrupt mask register failure	The interrupt controller IC has failed
	Interrupt vector error	The BIOS was unable to load the interrupt vectors into memory. Replace the motherboard

	Keyboard controller failure
	CMOS RAM power bad	Replace the CMOS battery or CMOS RAM if possible
	CMOS configuration error	The CMOS configuration has failed. Restore the configuration or replace the battery if possible

	Video memory failure	There is a problem with the video memory. Replace the video adapter if possible
	Video initialization failure	There is a problem with the video adapter. Reseat the adapter or replace the adapter if possible
		The system's timer IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	Shutdown failure	The CMOS has failed. Replace the CMOS IC if possible
	Gate A20 failure	The keyboard controller has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	This is a CPU problem. Replace the CPU and retest
	RAM test failure	System RAM addressing circuitry is faulty. Replace the motherboard
	Interval timer channel 2 failure	The system timer IC has failed. Replace the IC if possible
	Time of day clock failure	The real time clock/CMOS has failed. Replace the CMOS if possible
	Serial port failure	A error has occurred in the serial port circuitry
	Parallel port failure	A error has occurred in the parallel port circuitry
	Math coprocessor failure	The math coprocessor has failed. If possible, replace the MPU

	Description
	Verify real mode

	Initialize system hardware
	Initialize chipset registers with initial values
	Set in POST flag
	Initialize CPU registers
	Initialize cache to initial values

	Initialize power management
	Load alternative registers with initial POST values
	Jump to UserPatch0
	Initialize timer initialization
	8254 timer initialization
	8237 DMA controller initialization
	Reset Programmable Interrupt Controller
	Test DRAM refresh
	Test 8742 Keyboard Controller
	Set ES segment register to 4GB

	Clear 512K base memory
	Test 512K base address lines
	Test 51K base memory
	Test CPU bus-clock frequency
	CMOS RAM read/write failure (this commonly indicates a problem on the ISA bus such as a card not seated)
	Reinitialize the chipset
	Shadow system BIOS ROM
	Reinitialize the cache
	Autosize the cache
	Configure advanced chipset registers
	Load alternate registers with CMOS values
	Set initial CPU speed
	Initialize interrupt vectors
	Initialize BIOS interrupts
	Check ROM copyright notice
	Initialize manager for PCI Options ROMs
	Check video configuration against CMOS
	Initialize PCI bus and devices
	initialize all video adapters in system
	Shadow video BIOS ROM
	Display copyright notice
	Display CPU type and speed

	Set key click if enabled

	Test for unexpected interrupts
	Display prompt "Press F2 to enter setup"
	Test RAM between 512K and 640K
	Test expanded memory
	Test extended memory address lines
	Jump to UserPatch1

	Configure advanced cache registers
	Enable external and CPU caches
	Initialize SMI handler
	Display external cache size
	Display shadow message
	Display non-disposable segments
	Display error messages
	Check for configuration errors
	Test real-time clock
	Check for keyboard errors
	Setup hardware interrupt vectors
	Test coprocessor if present
	Disable onboard I/O ports
	Detect and install external RS232 ports
	Detect and install external parallel ports
	Reinitialize onboard I/O ports
	Initialize BIOS Data Area
	Initialize Extended BIOS Data Area
	Initialize floppy controller
	Initialize hard disk controller
	Initialize local bus hard disk controller
	Jump to UserPatch2
	Disable A20 address line
	Clear huge ES segment register
	Search for option ROMs
	Shadow option ROMs
	Setup power management
	Enable hardware interrupts



	Scan for F2 keystroke

	Clear in-POST flag
	Check for errors
	POST done - prepare to boot operating system

	Check password (optional)
	Clear global descriptor table
	Clear parity checkers
	Check virus and backup reminders
	Try to boot with INT 19
	Interrupt handler error
	Unknown interrupt error
	Pending interrupt error
	Initialize option ROM error

	Extended Block Move
	Shutdown 10 error
	Keyboard Controller failure (most likely problem is with RAM or cache unless no video is present)
	Initialize the chipset
	Initialize refresh counter
	Check for Forced Flash

	Do a complete RAM test
	Do OEM initialization
	Initialize interrupt controller
	Read in bootstrap code
	Initialize all vectors
	Initialize the boot device
	Boot code was read OK

Quadtel BIOS:

	Error Messages	Description
		System is booting normally
		The CMOS RAM is faulty. Replace the IC if possible
		The video adapter is faulty. Reseat the video adapter or replace the adapter if possible
	Peripheral controller error	One or more of the system peripheral controllers is bad. Replace the controllers and retest