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BIOS Beep Codes

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This document pertains to HP and Compaq Desktop computers.
If your computer makes one or two short beeps before starting, this is normal and your computer is telling you that BIOS startup was successful. If your computer beeps and does not start, a more serious hardware problem is likely occurring. This support document contains information that can help you learn more about the problem and how to
What to do when beep codes occur
A beep code usually means a basic function was unable to start. A basic function might be reading memory, displaying video, or being able to send information to a hard drive.
The most common problems that cause beep codes are memory and heat-related failures caused by a build-up of dust in critical cooling areas. Use the beep code tables in this document to help find what hardware component is causing the problem. This might reduce the time required to find the hardware component that needs adjusted, reseated, or replaced.
WARNING: HP recommends that these steps be performed only by someone with experience in working on computer hardware. Incorrectly handling sensitive internal components can further damage the computer and can introduce the risk of personal injury.
Using the correct environment for working on computers (ESD precautions and tools), use the following steps to isolate and fix the problem:
  1. Turn on the computer.
  2. Listen to the beep code and write it down. Write down the number of beeps before each pause, if the beeps are long, short, high in tone, or low in tone. You can use the other sections in this document to look up the beep code description. The beep code and its description can be used for further Internet research if needed.
    Also note which fans are spinning, not spinning, or making strange noises. It might be possible to prevent the beep code by setting the fan speed to a higher setting in the BIOS setup utility or by cleaning the cooling fins and vents.
  3. Turn off the computer by holding the power button for five seconds.
  4. Disconnect the power cord and then disconnect all external cords from the computer.
  5. Remove the side panel to open the computer.
  6. If the case fan was not spinning, make sure the case fan power cable is connected to the correct pins on the motherboard. Replace the fan if it was making excessive noise or was not spinning.
    If you had to plug in or replace the fan, replace the side panel, plug in the power cord and turn on the computer. If the beeps continue, continue to the next step.
  7. Disconnect the power cord and remove the side panel.
  8. Perform each of the following tasks, in order, until the beeping stops.
    Before starting each task, unplug the power cord and remove the side panel.
    After completing a task, replace the side panel, connect the power cord, turn on the computer, and listen for a beep code.
    NOTE: If removing or disconnecting a hardware component prevents the beep code, that component is probably causing the problem. However, a failed motherboard might produce beep codes associated with a component other than the motherboard.
    1. Clean cooling components that have become clogged with dust. If beeping continues, continue to the next step.
    2. Remove a memory module.
      If the computer stops beeping, the memory module might be bad, is the wrong type of memory for the motherboard, or was not fully seated or connected. Reinsert the memory into the socket to see if a connection was the problem; otherwise replace the module.
      Remove each memory module, replacing the one that was previously removed. If beeping continues after checking all the memory modules, continue to the next step.
    3. If the computer has a graphics adapter, remove it.
      If the beep code changes or continues with the same beep pattern after removing the graphics adapter, the adapter might still be good. Reseat the graphics adapter into its socket and continue to the next step.
      If the beep code goes away, the graphics adapter might be bad. Try reseating the graphics adapter, making sure it is fully locked into the connector on the motherboard. If problems continue, replace the adapter.
    4. Remove a PCI card.
      If the beep code goes away, the card might be bad. Try reseating the card into its connector on the motherboard. If problems continue, replace the card.
      Remove each PCI card, replacing the one that was previously removed. After checking all cards, if beeping continues, continue to the next step.
    5. Disconnect hard drives and CD or DVD drive cables (IDE and ATA) from the motherboard socket.
      If the beep code goes away, the cable or socket is probably bad. Look for bent pins inside the IDE socket on the motherboard and straighten any bent pins. Try reseating the cables into the connectors. If problems continue, the drive itself might be bad and might need replacing.
      Disconnect each drive cable, replacing the one that was previously disconnected, until all have been checked. After checking all connections, if beeping continues, continue to the next step.
    6. At this point, the problem is probably the motherboard or processor. Make sure any jumpers on the motherboard have not fallen off their pins and into the case. Make sure jumpers are set correctly. Otherwise, have the computer serviced by HP or by a qualified service center.
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Beep codes common to HP and Compaq desktop PCs
The following beep codes are common to many HP and Compaq desktop computers. Use these codes first before referring to the other code lists.
NOTE: Not all codes are shown.
BeepsDescription
1 short beep and 1 long beepMemory problem
2 short beeps and 1 long beep (repeats 5 times)Unable to initialize video or video card required but not installed
3 short beeps and 1 long beepCPU configuration error or CPU type is not compatible
The following beep codes are common to many HP and Compaq desktop computers that can occur while restoring, flashing or updating the BIOS :
BeepsDescription
1 short beepLegacy floppy drive or CD/DVD drive not detected
2 short beepsFloppy diskette or compact disc not detected
3 short beepsUnable to start flashing (such as when missing a utility or BIOS image)
4 short beepsFlashing failed (checksum error, corrupted image, etc.)
5 short beepsBIOS recovery successful
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Beep codes for American Megatrends, Inc (AMI) BIOS
The following AMI beep codes can occur when there is a problem during the attempt of a normal system startup. You can use these codes to help troubleshoot problems related to system startup. When troubleshooting further, please refer to the section What to do when beep codes occur .
NOTE: Not all codes shown and codes shown may vary.
BeepsDescription
1Memory timing failure
2 Memory parity error
3Memory read or write failure
4, 5, 6, 7Fatal errors related to the operation of critical motherboard components - such as the CPU.
8 Video memory
The following table lists AMI beep codes that can occur when attempting to flash or recover the BIOS. You can use these codes to help troubleshoot problems related to system startup or flashing BIOS memory (such as in BIOS upgrades).
NOTE: Not all codes shown and codes shown may vary.
Number of beeps Post code
1 No media detected
2ROM file not found in root directory
3Insert next media volume
4 Flash Programming successful
5Failure while reading file
7Flash EPROM not detected
10 Failure while erasing flash memory
11 Flash program error
12 Problem with ROM file size
13ROM image does not match BIOS requirements
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Beep codes for Award BIOS
Most Award post codes are displayed to screen. If a beep code occurs the problem is likely occurring before the system can display video (check the video card or memory).
NOTE: Codes shown may vary.
BeepsDescription
1 short beepPOST process completed successfully - normal startup
1 long beep followed by 2 or 3 short beepsUnable to initialize video (to display the post code)
Continuous beeping without pause Serious system related problem such as CPU overheating
Other beep conditionsMemory errors.
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Beep codes for Phoenix BIOS
You can use these codes to help troubleshoot problems related to system startup or flashing BIOS memory (such as in BIOS upgrades). When troubleshooting further, please refer to the section What to do when beep codes occur .
Four series of beeps indicate a fatal error; that is, a problem exists which prevents the computer from starting. For example, there might be two beeps, a short pause, one beep, a short pause, one beep, a short pause, and then three beeps; this is represented as 2-1-1-3 in the chart below.
NOTE: The following codes may vary depending on BIOS version.
BeepsPost Code Description of failure
One short beep 0 POST process completed successfully - normal startup
1-1-1-3 02h Verify real mode
1-1-2-1 04h Get CPU type
1-1-2-3 06h Initialize system hardware
1-1-3-1 08h Initialize chipset registers with initial POST values
1-1-3-2 09h Set in POST flag
1-1-3-3 0Ah Initialize CPU registers
1-1-4-1 0Ch Initialize cache to initial POST values
1-1-4-3 0Eh Initialize I/O
1-2-1-1 10h Initialize Power Management
1-2-1-2 11h Load alternate registers with initial POST values
1-2-1-3 12h Jump to UserPatch0
1-2-2-1 14h Initialize keyboard controller
1-2-2-3 16h BIOS ROM checksum
1-2-3-1 18h 8254 timer initialization
1-2-3-3 1Ah 8237 DMA controller initialization
1-2-4-1 1Ch Reset Programmable Interrupt Controller
1-3-1-1 20h Test DRAM refresh
1-3-1-3 22h Test 8742 Keyboard Controller
1-3-2-1 24h Set ES segment register to 4 GB
1-3-3-1 28h Autosize DRAM
1-3-3-3 2Ah Clear 512K base RAM
1-3-4-1 2Ch Test 512 base address lines
1-3-4-3 2Eh Test 512K base memory
1-4-1-3 32h Test CPU bus-clock frequency
1-4-2-1 34h CMOS RAM read/write failure
1-4-2-4 37h Reinitialize the chipset
1-4-3-1 38h Shadow system BIOS ROM
1-4-3-2 39h Reinitialize the cache
1-4-3-3 3Ah Autosize cache
1-4-4-1 3Ch Configure advanced chipset registers
1-4-4-2 3Dh Load alternate registers with CMOS values
2-1-1-1 40h Set Initial CPU speed
2-1-1-3 42hs Initialize interrupt vector
2-1-2-1 44h Initialize BIOS interrupts
2-1-2-3 46h Check ROM copyright notice
2-1-2-4 47h Initialize manager for PCI Options ROMs
2-1-3-1 48h Check video configuration against CMOS
2-1-3-2 49h Initialize PCI bus and devices
2-1-3-3 4Ah Initialize all video adapters in system
2-1-4-1 4Ch Shadow video BIOS ROM
2-1-4-3 4Eh Display copyright notice
2-2-1-1 50h Display CPU type and speed
2-2-1-3 52h Test keyboard
2-2-2-1 54h Set key click if enabled
2-2-2-3 56h Enable keyboard
2-2-3-1 58h Test for unexpected interrupts
2-2-3-3 5Ah Display prompt "Press F2 to enter SETUP"
2-2-4-1 5Ch Test RAM between 512 and 640k
2-3-1-1 60h Test expanded memory
2-3-1-3 62h Test extended memory address lines
2-3-2-1 64h Jump to UserPatch1
2-3-2-3 66h Configure advanced cache registers
2-3-3-1 68h Enable external and CPU caches
2-3-3-2 69h Initialize SMI handler
2-3-3-3 6Ah Display external cache size
2-3-4-1 6Ch Display shadow message
2-3-4-3 6Eh Display non-disposable segments
2-4-1-1 70h Display error messages
2-4-1-3 72h Check for configuration errors
2-4-2-1 74h Test real-time clock
2-4-2-3 76h Check for keyboard errors
2-4-4-1 7Ch Set up hardware interrupts vectors
2-4-4-3 7Eh Test coprocessor if present
3-1-1-1 80h Disable onboard I/O ports
3-1-1-3 82h Detect and install external RS232 ports
3-1-2-1 84h Detect and install external parallel ports
3-1-2-3 86h Re-initialize onboard I/O ports
3-1-3-1 88h Initialize BIOS data area
3-1-3-3 8Ah Initialize extended BIOS data area
3-1-4-1 8Ch Initialize floppy controller
3-2-1-1 90h Initialize hard-disk controller
3-2-1-2 91h Initialize local-bus hard-disk controller
3-2-1-3 92h Jump to UserPatch2
3-2-2-1 94h Disable A20 address line
3-2-2-3 96h Clear huge ES segment register
3-2-3-1 98h Search for option ROMs
3-2-3-3 9Ah Shadow option ROMs
3-2-4-1 9Ch Set up Power Management
3-2-4-3 9Eh Enable hardware interrupts
3-3-1-1 A0h Set time of day
3-3-1-3 A2h Check key lock
3-3-3-1 A8h Erase F2 prompt
3-3-3-3 Aah Scan for F2 key stroke
3-3-4-1 AChP Enter SETU
3-3-4-3 Aeh Clear in-POST flag
3-4-1-1 B0h Check for errors
3-4-1-3 B2h POST done--prepare to boot operating system
3-4-2-1 B4h One beep
3-4-2-3 B6h Check password (optional)
3-4-3-1 B8h Clear global descriptor table
3-4-4-1 BCh Clear parity checkers
3-4-4-3 Beh Clear screen (optional)
3-4-4-4 BFh Check virus and backup reminders
4-1-1-1 C0h Try to boot with INT 19
4-2-1-1 D0h Interrupt handler error
4-2-1-3 D2h Unknown interrupt error
4-2-2-1 D4h Pending interrupt error
4-2-2-3 D6h Initialize option ROM error
4-2-3-1 D8h Shutdown error
4-2-3-3 Dah Extended Block Move
4-2-4-1 DCh Shutdown error
4-2-4-3 Deh Keyboard Controller Failure
4-3-1-3 E2h Initialize the chipset
4-3-1-4 E3h Initialize refresh counter
4-3-2-1 E4h Check for Forced Flash
4-3-2-2 E5h Check HW status of ROM
4-3-2-3 E6h BIOS ROM is OK
4-3-2-4 E7h Do a complete RAM test
4-3-3-1 E8h Do OEM initialization
4-3-3-2 E9h Initialize interrupt controller
4-3-3-3 Eah Read in bootstrap code
4-3-3-4 Ebh Initialize all vectors
4-3-4-1 Ech Boot the Flash program
4-3-4-2 Edh Initialize the boot device
4-3-4-3 Eeh Boot code was read OK
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