Computer Beep Codes and Solutions on Lenovo, HP, Dell, Asus
Laptop Tips
Harris ZahidSeptember 16, 2022
4
BIOS, a common and mandatory thing found in every computer (Basic Input/Output System). It is a program that the computer’s CPU uses (on boot) to start the entire computer system. Without BIOS, a computer can’t access its Operating System and also can’t work correctly.
However, when the computer is on startup, POST (Power-On-Self-Test), a diagnostic (test) by BIOS, runs to determine whether all the parts of the computer are working fine or not, the computer’s internal hardware is compatible, and has a proper connection.
When start up your laptop, if everything is fine in POST (testing), the computer may give a single beep (maybe beep twice depending on the computer’s model) and continue the boot process. However, if something gets wrong and the computer fails the POST (testing), the computer will start generating a beep code telling the user the source of the problem. The beep code can be different in every manufacturer’s computer.
In this tutorial, we will explain to you the different types of beep codes (or Irregular POST) with respect to the manufacturer of that BIOS. Before starting, it is worth mentioning that except for the Dell and Mac, your computer’s (or motherboard) manufacturer and BIOS manufacturer aren’t the same. To check the correct BIOS beep code, you must know who manufactured the computer’s BIOS.
Common Computer Beep Codes and Solutions
Following are the BIOS Beep Codes of some manufacturers.
AMI BIOS Beep Codes
Beep Code | Description | Solution |
1 Short Beep | DRAM Refresh Failure | RAM is most probably damaged and Needs Replacement |
2 Short Beeps | Parity Error | Disable the Memory ECC in CMOS Setting. |
3 Short Beeps | Base 64K (First Bank) Memory Failure | RAM Module needs Replacement |
4 Short Beeps | System Timer Failure | Repair or replace the motherboard |
5 Short Beeps | Processor Error | CPU Needs Replacement but there is also a possibility of CPU Socket Problem. Further, the motherboard can also be faulty. |
6 Short Beeps | Keyboard Controller Gate A20 Failure | Plug the Keyboard. If still error occurs then try a good keyboard otherwise there is a problem with Keyboard Control Chip or related parts. |
7 Short Beeps | Virtual Mode Processor Exception Interrupt Error | Most probably, it is the motherboard’s fault so go for its repair or replacement. |
8 Short Beeps | Display Memory Read/Write Error | GPU’s Memory Chip is damaged. |
9 Short Beeps | ROM Checksum Error | Try to change to a good BIOS of same type. If the problem is with BIOS, then recover it by rewriting or even hot swapping will also work. |
10 Short Beeps | CMOS Shutdown Register Read/Write Error | Replace CMOS battery, or repair motherboard |
11 Short Beeps | Cache Error/L2 Cache Bad | Go to repair shop Users can temporarily disable the cache for emergency use of the laptop. The method is to enter the BIOS settings, disable the Cache Memory option, and finally save and restart the computer |
1 Long and 3 Short Beeps | Conventional/Extended Memory Failure | The motherboard memory is faulty and needs to be repaired. |
1 Long and 8 Short Beeps | Display/Retrace Test Failed | Video Card is faulty. |
Award BIOS Beep Codes
Beep Code | Description | Solution |
1 Short Beep | Normal System Boot | Doesn’t require any solution as everything is fine. |
2 Short Beeps | General Error | Enter CMOS Setup and reset all the incorrect options. |
1 Long and 1 Short Beep | RAM or Motherboard Error | Try another RAM module. Still not working? Then replace or repair the motherboard. |
1 Long and 2 Short Beeps | Wrong Display or Video Card | Try plugging the compatible Display or Video Card |
1 Long and 3 Short Beeps | Keyboard Controller Error | Check the Keyboard Control Chip on the motherboard |
1 Long and 9 Short Beeps | Motherboard’s Flash RAM or EPROM is Wrong and BIOS is damaged also. |
Changing the RAM can help with this problem. |
Continuous Beep (Long Beep) | RAM Module isn’t detected as it is not inserted tightly or is damaged. | Re-inserting the RAM can help but if this trick doesn’t work then replace the RAM module. |
Constantly Beep | Power Supply, Monitor, or GPU isn’t properly connected. | Re-plug all of them, properly. If still facing the same problem then check all the plugs are functioning. |
Repeated Short Beep | Power Supply Problem | Replace the Power Supply |
No Sound and Display | Power Supply Problem | Replace the Power Supply |
IBM Beep Codes
Beep Code | Description | Solution |
1 Short Beep | Normal Boot | During the Self-Test, Everything was fine |
2 Short Beeps | Error Detected During POST | Details would be displayed on Screen, follow the error, and find its solution. |
No Beep | Power Supply, System Board, or Processor’s Error | Most probably, it would be Power Supply’s error so try a new Power Supply. If the problem still resists then try replacing the Motherboard and Processor. |
Continuous Beep | Power Supply, System Board, or Keyboard Problem | Try changing these components will solve the problem. |
Repeated Short Beeps | Power Supply or System Board Problem | Again, try replacing these components can help in solving the problem. |
1 Long and 1 Short Beep | System Board Problem | Motherboard has a problem; repairing it or replacing is the solution. |
1 Long and 2 Short Beeps | GPU Problem (Mono/CGA Video Error) | Replacing or Repairing the GPU. |
1 Long and 3 Short Beeps | GPU Problem (EGA Video Error) | Again, replacing or repairing the GPU. |
3 Long Beeps | Keyboard Problem | Try changing the Keyboard device, if still facing the same problem, then check the Keyboard Control Chip on Motherboard. |
HP Beep Codes
Beep Codes | Description | Solution |
1 Short Beep | Legacy Floppy Drive or CD/DVD ROM Not Detected | Try resetting the BIOS. If not work then, reconnect or replace these components. |
2 Short Beeps | Floppy Diskette or CD not detected | Try resetting the BIOS. If not work, then it is possible that the problem is with the component or CD/Floppy Disk you trying to insert. |
3 Short Beeps | Unable to Start Flashing (usually when a utility or BIOS Image is missing) | Disconnect input devices (like mouse and keyboard) and then reboot the computer. If still facing the same issue, then repair or replace those input devices. |
4 Short Beeps | Flashing Failed (checksum error, corrupted image, etc. |
Clean the RAM and its slots. If the problem still resists then reseat the memory. |
5 Short Beeps | BIOS Recovery Successful | Reboot the System |
1 Short and 1 Long Beep | Memory Problem | Reseat the RAM modules on slots. If the problem isn’t solved then go for a RAM replacement. |
2 Short and 1 Long Beep | Video Card Required (not installed) or Unable to Initialize Video | Try reconnecting the GPU if installed. Otherwise, the fault is in the motherboard so go for its repair or replacement. |
3 Short and 1 Long Beep | Incompatible CPU type or CPU configuration error | Make sure that the RAM capacity installed is compatible with the CPU. Replace or Repair the CPU (Processor) if the problem doesn’t solve. |
2 Short and 2 Long Beeps | BIOS Recovery Successful | Reboot the System |
Lenovo ThinkCentre Beep Codes
Beep Code | Description | Solution |
3 Short and 1 Long Beep | RAM not detected | Check out the memory subsystem, and ensure the RAM is accurately seated in the slots. |
2 Long and 3 Short Beeps | Video Card or On-Board Video not detected | Make sure that all the external connected GPU are compatible or working properly. |
4 Long Beeps and Error 8998/8999 on Screen | Not enough shadow RAM resources or PCIe/PCI MMIO resources available | Remove the external (add-in) PCIe Cards to free up necessary resources or change the BIOS to UEFI mode to support these external resources. |
2 Short Beeps | POST Error | Check out the displayed POST error on the screen and take correct according to that specific POST |
Dell Beep Codes
Beep Code | Description | Solution |
1 Beep | Motherboard: BIOS ROM Failure | Execute the Dell Diagnostics Program to find the solution. |
2 Beeps | No Memory (RAM) Detected | Try reseating the RAM sticks otherwise replace them. |
3 Beeps | Chipset Error (North and South bridge error), Time-Of-Day Clock test failure, Gate A20 failure, Super I/O chip failure, Keyboard controller failure | Run the Dell Diagnostics Application to solve the issue. |
4 Beeps | Memory (RAM) Failure | Same solution as mentioned in 2 Beeps section. |
5 Beeps | CMOS Battery Failure | Try reseating the CMOS battery. If the issue is not gone, then run the Dell Diagnostics. |
6 Beeps | Video Card/Chip Failure | Run the Dell Diagnostics to find the solution of this problem. |
7 Beeps | Central Processing Unit (CPU) Failure | Same solution as in 6 Beeps Section |
8 Beeps | LCD Failure | Same solution as in 6 Beeps Section |
ThinkPad Beep Codes
Beep Codes | Description | Solution |
1 Beep with Blank Display | LCD Issue (LCD Connector, LCD Backlight Inverter, Video Adapter, or LCD Assembly Failure) | Replace the whole display assembly or repair it (requires professional repairing experience) |
Continuous Beeping | Motherboard Failure | Repair or Replacing it will solve the problem. |
1 Beep with Display Message (Unable to access boot source) | Boot Device Failure or Bad Motherboard | Try to repair or replace the motherboard. |
1 Long and 2 Short Beeps | System Board, Video Adapter, or LCD Assembly Failure | Try replacing or repairing these components will solve the problem |
1 Long and 4 Short Beeps | Low Battery Voltage | Reinsert or replace the CMOS battery otherwise, reset the BIOS settings |
1 Beep Continuously | Low Battery Voltage | Same solution as mentioned above. |
2 Short Beeps with Display Message | Follow the Display Message | Take an appropriate action according to the display message. |
2 Short Beeps with Blank Display | System Board Failure | Replace or Repair the Motherboard |
ASUS Beep Codes
Beep Codes | Description | Solution |
1 Short Beep | VGA Detected, Quick Boot is Disabled or No Keyboard Detected | The computer will boot normally. |
2 Short Beep | When using Crashfree to recover BIOS, the new BIOS is successfully recognized. | Reboot the CPU and everything will be normal. |
1 Long and 2 Short Beeps | No Memory Detected | Try reseating the RAM. If not work, then replace the RAM sticks. If still not working, then the slots have a problem. |
1 Long and 3 Short Beeps | No VGA Detected | Make sure that enough (required) power is being supplied to the GPU. If the problem resists, then reseat the GPU, CPU, and RAM, and also check out the GPU’s cables. |
1 Long and 4 Short Beeps | Hardware Component Failure | Possibly, the problem is with the CPU Fan, the Temperature gets high, or the CPU has Over Voltage Error. Make sure that both the CPU and its Fan are properly installed. Otherwise, try to reset the BIOS setting and clear CMOS settings. |
No Beeps | Blank Display | Please check for the CPU and RAM and ensure that they are properly connected or not. Also, check for Oxidation on the connection parts. If it is there, then try to wipe it with an eraser. If the problem still resists, then take it to the technician for proper cleaning. |
If you are having trouble repairing your computer, please leave a message in the comments, and we will try our best to help you solve the problem.
Also Read: How To Fix A Laptop Won’t Turn On
Also Read: How to Replace a CMOS Battery on Desktop and Laptop
Related Articles
[Fix] 3 Short Beeps 1 Long Beep Lenovo (100% Working)
Basically, this is an indication of a beep symptom or beep error. There are some specific beep symptoms that represent various specific hardware and software issues. In this case, for Lenovo, this beep symptom expresses that RAM is missing or undetected.
So, in this article, you will get an idea about this error and in which ways it can be solved.
Things to Know About 3 Short 1 Long Beep
Beep symptoms are tones or a string of tones separated by short intervals without sound. Generally, this error occurs after booting up the computer. In maximum cases, when a user tries to turn on their computer, the computer does not boot up instead it plays 3 short and 1 long beep in a rhythm through the speakers and the monitor remains black (no display).
According to Lenovo ThinkCentre Beep Codes:
Beep Code | Description | Action |
3 Short and 1 Long Beep | RAM have not been detected | Make sure the RAM is correctly positioned in the slots and inspect the memory subsystem. |
That means, there are some issues with the RAM that is causing such a problem. Maybe while inserting RAM in a module, it is not pressed enough. Even, it can be dead on arrival or accidentally get damaged. The RAM module can be mismatched with the RAM. Or on the other hand, the CPU may not communicate with the ram because of the unclean socket.
How to Fix the ‘3 Short Beeps 1 Long Beep Lenovo’ Issue?
Till now, you have known that this problem is related to RAM. Now, you will learn some suitable tricks to solve this problem.
1. Safeguard Before Fixing
Step 1: Before booting up your computer, unplug all wires and hard drives.
Step 2: Remove any PCIe devices such as graphics adapter cards, network interface cards, storage accelerator devices, and other high-performance peripherals.
Step 3: Remove all memory modules before attempting to use just one.
Step 4: Set a functional memory module from another functional computer to ensure activity.
2. Step-by-Step Procedure for Memory Module
Step 1: Ensure using suitable or supportable memory that your board can handle. Check your memory’s speed and capacity.
Step 2: Try the memory module one at a time if there is more.
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Step 3: Confirm that the memory modules are correctly inserted into the DIMM slots and that the latches are securely attached.
Step 4: Try swapping the RAM in a different and suitable connector if one is not working.
Step 5: Verify that the memory modules are not broken or damaged.
You can test the RAM with Memtest86 to see if it is fully functional.
- First, reset the motherboard’s CMOS.
- Then connect the USB device containing Memtest86 to your computer and turn it on.
There should be no need to press anything; following a countdown, the test will begin automatically. You can also try the modules on a separate computer that is known to work.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)
What do 3 short beeps mean?
If the computer continuously beeps three times, it indicates that there is a memory issue. To solve this, make sure that you have installed the RAM properly and that the RAM itself is competent for the system.
How do I fix 3 short beeps?
In this case, the problem is related to the RAM. It means the base 64 K RAM fails in a task. To fix this, insert a compatible RAM carefully so that it does not get any damage and set it properly in the connector.
What is Award BIOS beep code 1 long beep mean?
According to Award BIOS Beep Codes, 1 long beep means RAM Module is not detected as it is not inserted tightly or is damaged. The preferred solution is to replace the RAM module if the issue still occurs after reinserting the RAM.
Why is my Lenovo making beeping noises?
A single continuous beep typically signals a hardware issue with RAM that could prevent your computer from booting at all. Or the laptop can sound if several keys are pressed simultaneously on the keyboard. This is a sign of a problem called Unmanageable Key Combinations, according to Lenovo. It happens when the keyboard is receiving too many simultaneous inputs.
Conclusion
It is clear that this beep error is the outcome of RAM malfunctioning. So, installing a fully functional and suitable RAM can solve this issue. Try to clean the RAM with a soft brush and also keep the connector clean. Insert it neatly in the connector. Do not rub it on a harsh surface. You can fix this problem by following this article accordingly.
Decryption of all beeps BIOS
Home » BIOS
BOIS – has built-in sound signals that, when the computer boots up, tell us about possible problems with a particular device. If you are faced with the inability to decipher a particular BIOS signal, then refer to our tables, which contain all the comprehensive information on BIOS signals. By deciphering the signal, it will be easier for you to find the problem. Maybe it’s the RAM, or maybe the video card, maybe you just have something overheating? See the tables below!
AMI BIOS beeps
Beep | Meaning |
1 short | No errors found, system boot continues |
2 short | RAM parity error |
3 short | Malfunction of the first 64 KB of RAM |
4 short | Faulty system timer |
5 short | Processor failure |
6 short | Keyboard controller failure |
7 short | System board failure |
8 short | Video memory error |
9 short | Incorrect BIOS checksum |
10 short | Error writing to CMOS memory |
11 short | Cache error |
1 long 2 short | Faulty video adapter |
1 long 3 short | |
2 long 2 short | Floppy disk controller error |
No signals | Faulty power supply or system board |
Beeps Phoenix BIOS
Signal | Meaning |
1 short | No errors found, system boot continues |
Continuous or short repetitive | Faulty power supply or short circuit in power circuits |
1 long or long repeated | RAM error |
1 long 2 short | Video adapter not detected or video memory error |
1 long 3 short | Depending on the BIOS version, this signal may indicate a video adapter error or a keyboard error |
3 long | Keyboard controller error |
1 long 9 short | BIOS read error or bad BIOS chip |
2 short | A non-critical error has been detected. |
No signals | Faulty power supply or system board |
Phoenix BIOS Beeps
Beeps | Meaning |
1-1-3 | Error when reading data from the built-in memory chip CMOS |
1-1-4 | CMOS chip checksum error |
1-2-1 | Error on the system board |
1-2-2 | System board DMA controller error |
1-2-3 | Error reading or writing data to one of the DMA channels |
1-3-1 | Error in RAM |
1-3-3 | Error in the first 64 KB of main memory |
1 3-4 | RAM test error |
1-4-1 | System board error |
1-4-2 | RAM test error |
2-1-1 to 2-4-4 | Error in one of the bits of the first 64 KB of RAM |
3-1-1 | Error in first DMA channel |
3-1-2 | Error in the second DMA channel |
3-1-3 | Error processing interrupts |
3-1-4 | Motherboard interrupt controller error |
3-2-4 | Keyboard controller error |
3-3-4 | Video adapter error |
3-4-1 | Video memory test error |
3-4-2 | Error while searching for video memory |
4-2-1 | System timer error |
4-2-2 | End of test |
4-2-3 | Keyboard controller error |
4-2-4 | CPU error |
4-3-1 | RAM test error |
4-3-3 | System timer error |
4-3-4 | Real time clock error |
4-4-1 | Serial port error |
4-4-2 | Parallel port error |
4-4-3 | Math coprocessor error |
1-2 | Error with adapters that have their own BIOS |
1-2-2-3 | BIOS checksum calculation error |
1-3-1-1 | RAM error |
1-3-1-3 | Keyboard controller error |
1-3-4-1 | Errors when testing RAM |
2-1-2-3 | Error checking ROM BIOS copyright notice |
2-2-3-1 | Error handling unexpected interrupts |
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Motherboard speaker beeps (BIOS) and what they mean [short and long]
In this article, we have compiled a list of decoding long and short beeps of the motherboard speaker (BIOS) from different manufacturers.
Have you ever experienced that when you try to turn on your desktop PC, instead of the welcome logo, you see a blank screen accompanied by a strange beep? Don’t worry too much – while you might think that computer beeps are an ominous sign of a major hardware failure, that’s not always the case. Motherboard speaker signals mainly come from the motherboard UEFI/BIOS and are a coded way for your PC to communicate with you. They can mean a lot, from a hardware failure to something as mundane as an incorrectly connected keyboard. If you’re looking for a guide to help you understand what all those motherboard beeps mean, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about motherboard audio codes, from why they exist and how you can decipher them, to a closer look at the various BIOS manufacturers that form the basis of today’s audio codes. The idea of the article is not only to help you understand what motherboard bios signals mean, but also to teach you the different ways to interpret them.
Contents
What role do the motherboard signals play?
Before we get into deciphering what these specific beep codes mean, it’s important to understand why they appear during startup. The process we need to pay attention to is called POST or Power-on-self-test .
What is POST ? Basically, every time a user turns on their computer, the BIOS gathers information about the major components of the system and performs a special diagnostic test called a power-on self test to make sure each component is working properly. Although the whole process is quite complicated, you should only know that this is a kind of diagnostic test for your computer. Thus, if the BIOS detects a hardware problem during this test, an error message called POSTCODE will be displayed on the monitor.
However, if a failure occurs during the POST process before any display signal is sent, the problem cannot be displayed as a visual signal. This is where the motherboard beeps come into play. This system takes information from the BIOS and turns it into a message that we can understand even if the BIOS cannot access the graphics card.
What do the beeps on the motherboard mean?
The beep codes can vary greatly depending on the BIOS and it can be difficult to understand exactly what they mean. But in general, one short beep means everything is working fine . However, if you hear anything other than a single beep at startup, you may need to consult your motherboard manual to decipher the beep code and find out what’s wrong with your PC.
An aspect that makes this task particularly confusing is that motherboard manufacturers are not necessarily the same as BIOS manufacturers, meaning the beeps are not tied to your motherboard manufacturer, but to your BIOS firmware. And, unfortunately, there is no standardized beep no matter what BIOS firmware your computer has.
This means that although there are not many BIOS manufacturers, there is no single standard that they all use, which leads to each of them having their own set of beeps. They can use different patterns and lengths of beeps – some can be very short, some can be long, and some even have different pitches. So the same beep on two different computers is possibly being used to express two completely different problems.
So, how to deal with these BIOS signals? As we mentioned, the easiest way to figure out what the beep means is to look at your motherboard manual, as BIOS beep codes vary by board and manufacturer. However, the problem we’re having these days is that most motherboard manufacturers don’t list beeps in their motherboard manuals.
For example, if you look at the manual for a new motherboard such as ASUS Z690 Gaming , there is no mention of sound codes in it. One reason may be the fact that some modern motherboards are equipped with indicator lights, which are considered an easier way to give a signal, since people are able to perceive visual triggers better than audible ones. Another possible reason could be the fact that most motherboards these days don’t have a built-in speaker.
This lack of coverage in the manual, however, does not mean that the error codes are not supported on your motherboard, as you can see by browsing the Asus support page. Beep codes are still there, they just aren’t considered as important a part of a motherboard as they used to be. Nevertheless, it is one of the few ways to diagnose system problems without the help of external tools. So, if you want to hear beep codes on a modern motherboard, don’t forget to get a speaker that plugs into your motherboard’s front I/O port. It will look similar to the device shown in the photo above.
How can I find out the BIOS manufacturer of my computer?
In case you no longer have your motherboard manual or have bought yourself a used PC, don’t worry as there are many more ways you can find out what motherboard BIOS you have. However, before moving on to beep codes, you should be familiar with the major BIOS manufacturers to know which set of beep codes you need to look for.
The three most popular BIOS vendors are – AMI (American Megatrends International ) , Award and Phoenix . They all have different sets of beep codes for the same problems. For example, eight short beeps indicate a bad video card in AMIBIOS, while in Award BIOS you will hear one long beep and two short beeps. On the other hand, Phoenix beep codes are slightly longer and more complex, using alternating sequences of long and short beeps.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the different methods you can use to find out the BIOS manufacturer on your computer:
Using System Information in Windows
The easiest way to find out which company made your motherboard’s BIOS is to use the Windows System Information page. This is a quick way to find out all the information about your computer, and here’s how to access it in Windows 10 or Windows 11.
1. First, press the Windows key or click the search button on the taskbar. Then type “system information” in the search field and click on the result.
2. In the window that pops up, click “ System Information ” on the left sidebar. Then, on the right side of the window, find the BIOS version/dates section. The name of the manufacturer of your BIOS will be written here.
Using third party software
Another way to check is to use a third party system information tool such as CPU-Z so you can find out which manufacturer released the BIOS chip on your motherboard. It is relatively easy to use and is considered the most reliable software for finding information about your processor and motherboard. Here’s how it works:
1. First, if you haven’t already, download CPU-Z from the program’s developer’s site.
2. After downloading and installing, simply launch the program by double-clicking the CPU-Z icon on the desktop. You will see a window similar to the one below which will give you some basic information about your processor.
3. Then go to the ” Mainboard ” tab on the navigation bar at the top. Here, in the BIOS section, you will find the name of the manufacturer of your BIOS next to heading “Brand” . In our case, the BIOS manufacturer is American Megatrends International (AMI).
Visual Inspection of the BIOS Chip
If you don’t want to install a third party application on your computer, you can always try the oldest method, the visual inspection. This is a tried and tested method that has been around since time immemorial.
So, the first thing you need to know is where the BIOS chip is located. The BIOS chip is usually located under the CPU socket (where you will also find the VRM) or in the lower right corner of the motherboard. But this is by no means a rule, sometimes the chip could be in a completely different place. Fortunately, it is usually labeled as shown below.
Motherboard beeps from different manufacturers
Now that you’ve figured out which BIOS manufacturer you have (AMI, Award, Phoenix, etc. ), a search on the Internet should give you the information you need. However, since this process is usually quite laborious, we have done all the hard work for you and compiled all beeps for several common BIOSes from various sources such as manufacturer websites or BIOS-specific forums.
As mentioned earlier, beeps vary by manufacturer, so make sure you’re looking at the correct ones. In addition, the motherboard speaker signals themselves can be long or short, continuous or pulsating, high or low. This distinction is important to keep in mind if you want to understand the codes correctly. Below are examples of these signals and their meanings depending on the manufacturer.
Motherboard beeps AMI BIOS
short beep
9 0023
DELL (Phoenix) motherboard beep codes
Beep code | Signal value |
---|---|
1, long, 2 short | Indicates a video error and cannot output any information |
1 long, 3 short | Video card not detected or defective |
Repeated beep | RAM problem |
Repeating beeps when turning on PC | CPU overheating |
Repeating high and low beeps | CPU diagnostic error code |
AST BIOS motherboard beep codes
Signal value | What to do | |
---|---|---|
1 short beep | CPU register check error | Replace motherboard/processor |
2 short beeps | Keyboard controller buffer failure | Replace motherboard/keyboard |
4 short beeps | Keyboard controller reset error | Replace keyboard |
5 short beeps | Keyboard input error | Reconnect keyboard |
6 short beeps | System board chipset failure | Replace motherboard |
9 short beeps | BIOS ROM error | Replace BIOS chip |
10 short beeps | System timer failure change system clock IC | |
12 short beeps | CMOS register failure | Replace CMOS battery |
IBM motherboard beep codes
Beep code | Signal value | |
---|---|---|
1 short | Normal POST, computer is fine. |
|
2 short | POST error, view screen for error code | |
Continuous | No power or no card short beeps | No power or no card |
1 long, 1 short beep | Mainboard problem | |
1 long, 2 short beeps | Video display problem | |
1 long, 3 short beeps | Video display problem | |
3 long beeps | Keyboard or keyboard board error. |
Lenovo Motherboard Sound Codes (Think Center)
Sound Code | Signal Meaning | What to do |
---|---|---|
3 short beeps, 1 long beep | Memory not detected | Reconnect memory |
2 long beeps, 3 short beeps | Video card not detected | Video card not installed properly |
4 long beeps and error 8998 /8999 | Insufficient resources (PCIe) | Remove additional PCIe card to free up resources |
2 short beeps | POST error | See POST Error |
Alternatives to Beep: Motherboard LEDs
New categories of debugging tools have emerged in the recent past, and one of the most popular is LEDs that report hardware failures. A popular version of this method is used by MSI in some motherboards and the is called the EZ debug indicator.
On supported motherboards, LED indicators are located at the bottom next to certain names such as BOOT, VGA, or CPU, and will in principle act as warning indicators if something goes wrong.
The LEDs will flash every time you start your computer, meaning that simply turning them on is not a sign of a hardware failure. But if they are constantly lit red or white, depending on the hardware manufacturer, it signals that something has gone wrong with said specific piece of your hardware.
It is important to remember that each motherboard indicator tells you where the problem is, but does not tell you what it is. Thus, they still require some guidelines for proper understanding. So like Can we interpret these LED indicators? LEDs on MSI motherboards are usually divided into 4 parts and each of them is dedicated to specific areas of the motherboard, so if any of them is active, it can mean the following:
LED | What to do | |
---|---|---|
BOOT | Indicates a problem with the HDD/SSD | Disconnect and reconnect the HDD/SSD |
VGA | Indicates no graphics card detected | Reconnect graphics card |
DRAM | Indicates no RAM installed | Reconnect your RAM |
CPU | Can indicate many problems, from power failure to bad pins | Reinstall/replace CPU |
FAQ
What should I do if my computer does not beep?
There can be many reasons why your computer does not beep during a failed startup. First, you may have a bad power supply , and without power, the BIOS speaker will not be able to work. It is also possible (and very likely) that your computer does not have an internal speaker at all, and naturally, without it, the BIOS cannot generate error signals. So before jumping to any drastic conclusion, check your motherboard’s power supply and speaker to make sure your computer supports beep codes.
Are motherboard beeps really necessary?
If a system error occurs before video initialization, knowing the BIOS beep codes is your last line of defense when something is bothering your system. All you have to do is listen carefully to your BIOS beep sequence and look for the corresponding error descriptions in our guide. You can then focus your efforts on that particular problem instead of wasting time guessing.
What does a single continuous beep mean?
This depends on the BIOS manufacturer. A single continuous beep on an IBM motherboard indicates a power problem, and a single continuous beep in the AMI BIOS may indicate a memory upgrade error.