What is the BIOS and what is its role in a computer system?

BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System and it is the first software that runs when a computer is powered on. It is responsible for initializing and testing the system hardware components, as well as loading the operating system. It also provides a user interface for configuring system settings and managing system resources such as memory, storage, and peripheral devices.

What are the different types of BIOS audio signals that can be heard when a computer is turned on?

Beep: A single beep is usually heard when the BIOS has successfully completed its initial startup tests. Series of Beeps: A series of beeps may indicate a problem with the hardware, such as a failed RAM or video card. Continuous Beeping: Continuous beeping may indicate a problem with the power supply or motherboard. No Beep: If no beep is heard, it may indicate a problem with the CPU, RAM, or motherboard.

How can you differentiate between a single beep and a series of beeps during the boot process?

A single beep typically indicates that the boot process was successful and the system is ready to use. A series of beeps usually indicates an error or problem with the system, such as a RAM issue or a hardware failure.

What is the significance of a continuous beep during the boot process?

A continuous beep during the boot process typically indicates a problem with the system memory or motherboard. It is usually an indication that the system is not able to boot properly and will require further investigation.

How can you troubleshoot a computer that is emitting an abnormal BIOS audio signal?

Check the BIOS settings to ensure that the correct sound settings are enabled. Check the BIOS version to make sure it is up to date. Check the audio driver to make sure it is up to date and functioning properly. Check the motherboard for any signs of physical damage or malfunctioning components. Check the power supply for any signs of damage or malfunctioning components. Check the RAM for any signs of damage or malfunctioning components. Check the hard drive for any signs of damage or malfunctioning components. Check the cooling system for any signs of damage or malfunctioning components. Check the cables and connectors for any signs of damage or malfunctioning components. Reset the BIOS settings to their default values and then re-configure them as needed.

Troubleshooting with BIOS Beep Codes: Expert Guide

Author: Vladimir Artiukh
Editor: Oleg Afonin
Updated: 2.05.2024 10:21

Unlock the secrets of troubleshooting with BIOS beep codes with our essential guide. Whether you’re encountering hardware issues or system failures, understanding these audible cues can be invaluable in diagnosing and resolving problems. In this comprehensive tutorial, we’ll walk you through the different beep patterns and what they signify, empowering you to effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues with your computer’s hardware. Don’t let technical glitches hold you back—watch our guide and become a master at interpreting BIOS beep codes.

Troubleshooting with BIOS Beep Codes: Expert Guide

Contents

The POST (power-on self-test) feature checks the computer’s internal hardware to ensure compatibility and connection before the actual boot occurs. If the computer boots properly, it may give one sound signal (some computers are supposed to give it twice) as it starts and continues to boot. However, if the computer breaks down, it will either give no signal at all or give a special signal indicating a certain problem.

AMI BIOS signals

AMI BIOS signals (or beep codes) are given below. However, beep codes may differ due to a big variety of manufacturers who produce computers with this type of BIOS.

Sound signal (beep code)	Description
1 short beep	No errors detected, normal boot
2 short beeps	Parity circuit failure
3 shot beeps	Base 64 K RAM failure (The first 64 KB of RAM are out of order)
4 short beeps	System timer failure
5 short beeps	Process failure
6 short beeps	Keyboard controller Gate A20 error
7 short beeps	Virtual mode exception error (System board issue)
8 short beeps	Display memory Read/Write test failure (VRAM error)
9 short beeps	ROM BIOS checksum failure
10 short beeps	CMOS shutdown Read/Write error
11 short beeps	Cache Memory error
1 long beep, 3 short beeps	Conventional/Extended memory failure (Graphics card is out of order)
1 long beep, 8 short beeps	Display/Retrace test failed
Two-tone siren	Low CPU Fan speed, Voltage Level issue.

AWARD BIOS signals

Below, we listed AWARD BIOS signals (beep codes). As well as in the previous case, beep codes may differ due to a big variety of manufacturers who produce computers with this type of BIOS.

Sound signal (beep code)	Description
1 long beep, 2 short beeps	Indicates a video error has occurred and the BIOS cannot initialize the video screen to display any additional information. (Graphics card not found, or VRAM error)
1 long beep, 3 short beeps	Video card not detected (reseat video card) or bad video card (Depending on the BIOS version, this beep code may indicate either a graphics card error or a keyboard error)
Endlessly repeated signal	RAM problem.
Repeated frequent beeps while the computer is working	Overheating processor (CPU)
Repeated beeps, frequent and seldom	Issue with the processor (CPU), possibly damaged

If there are any other hardware problems, BIOS will show you a corresponding message.

Dell signals

Sound signal (beep code)	Description
1 beep	BIOS ROM corruption or failure
2 beep	Memory (RAM) not detected
3 beep	Motherboard failure
4 beep	Memory (RAM) failure
5 beep	CMOS Battery failure
6 beep	Video card failure
7 beep	Bad processor (CPU

For other Dell signals, you can visit this page.

IBM BIOS signals

Now, here are some IBM BIOS signals.

Sound signal (beep code)	Description
None	No Power, Loose Card, or Short (Power supply unit, motherboard or internal speaker is out of order)
1 short beep	Normal POST, computer is ok. (No errors detected)
2 short beeps	POST error, review screen for error code.
Continuous beeps	No Power, Loose Card, or Short. (No power supply)
Repeated short beep	No Power, Loose Card, or Short. (No power supply)
1 long beep, 1 short beep	Motherboard issue.
1 long beep, 2 short beeps	Video (Mono/CGA Display Circuitry) issue.
1 long beep, 3 short beeps	Video (EGA) Display Circuitry.
3 long beeps	Keyboard or Keyboard card error.
1 beep and black screen	Video Display Circuitry. (The monitor doesn’t work)

Phoenix BIOS signals

Below, we listed Phoenix BIOS Q3.07 OR 4.X signals (beep codes).

Sound signal (beep code)	Description
1-1-1-1	Unconfirmed beep code. Reseat RAM chips or replace RAM chips as possible solution
1-1-1-3	Verify Real Mode.
1-1-2-1	Get CPU Type.
1-1-2-3	Initialize system hardware.
1-1-3-1	Initialize chipset registers with initial POST values.
1-1-3-2	Set in POST flag.
1-1-3-3	Initialize CPU registers.
1-1-4-1	Initialize cache to initial POST values.
1-1-4-3	Initialize I/O.
1-2-1-1	Initialize Power Management.
1-2-1-2	Load alternate registers with initial POST values.
1-2-1-3	Jump to UserPatch0.
1-2-2-1	Initialize keyboard controller.
1-2-2-3	BIOS ROM checksum.
1-2-3-1	8254 timer initialization.
1-2-3-3	8237 DMA controller initialization.
1-2-4-1	Reset Programmable Interrupt Controller.
1-3-1-1	Test DRAM refresh.
1-3-1-3	Test 8742 Keyboard Controller.
1-3-2-1	Set ES segment to register to 4 GB.
1-3-3-1	28 Autosize DRAM.
1-3-3-3	Clear 512 K base RAM.
1-3-4-1	Test 512 base address lines.
1-3-4-3	Test 512 K base memory
1-4-1-3	Test CPU bus-clock frequency.
1-4-2-4	Reinitialize the chipset.
1-4-3-1	Shadow system BIOS ROM.
1-4-3-2	Reinitialize the cache.
1-4-3-3	Autosize cache.
1-4-4-1	Configure advanced chipset registers.
1-4-4-2	Load alternate registers with CMOS values.
2-1-1-1	Set Initial CPU speed.
2-1-1-3	Initialize interrupt vectors.
2-1-2-1	Initialize BIOS interrupts.
2-1-2-3	Check ROM Copyright notice.
2-1-2-4	Initialize manager for PCI Options ROMs.
2-1-3-1	Check video configuration against CMOS.
2-1-3-2	Initialize PCI bus and devices.
2-1-3-3	Initialize all video adapters in system.
2-1-4-1	Shadow video BIOS ROM.
2-1-4-3	Display Copyright notice.
2-2-1-1	Display CPU Type and speed.
2-2-1-3	Test keyboard.
2-2-2-1	Set key click if enabled.
2-2-2-3	56 Enable keyboard.
2-2-3-1	Test for unexpected interrupts.
2-2-3-3	Display prompt Press F2 to enter SETUP.
2-2-4-1	Test RAM between 512 and 640 k.
2-3-1-1	Test expanded memory.
2-3-1-3	Test extended memory address lines. (Test extended memory address lines).
2-3-2-1	Jump to UserPatch1. (Jump to UserPatch1).
2-3-2-3	Configure advanced cache registers.
2-3-3-1	Enable external and CPU caches.
2-3-3-3	Display external cache size
2-3-4-1	Display shadow message.
2-3-4-3	Display non-disposable segments.
2-4-1-1	Display error messages.
2-4-1-3	Check for configuration errors.
2-4-2-1	Test real-time clock.
2-4-2-3	Check for keyboard errors
2-4-4-1	Set up hardware interrupts vectors.
2-4-4-3	Test coprocessor if present.
3-1-1-1	Disable onboard I/O ports.
3-1-1-3	Detect and install external RS232 ports.
3-1-2-1	Detect and install external parallel ports.
3-1-2-3	Re-initialize onboard I/O ports.
3-1-3-1	Initialize BIOS Data Area.
3-1-3-3	Initialize Extended BIOS Data Area.
3-1-4-1	Initialize floppy controller.
3-2-1-1	Initialize hard disk controller.
3-2-1-2	Initialize local bus hard disk controller.
3-2-1-3	Jump to UserPatch2
3-2-2-1	Disable A20 address line.
3-2-2-3	Clear huge ES segment register.
3-2-3-1	Search for option ROMs.
3-2-3-3	Shadow option ROMs.
3-2-4-1	Set up 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 key stroke.
3-3-4-1	Enter SETUP.
3-3-4-3	Clear in POST flag.
3-4-1-1	Erase F2 prompt.
3-4-1-3	POST done, prepare to boot operating system.
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	Clear screen (optional).
3-4-4-4	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.
4-3-1-3	Initialize the chipset.
4-3-1-4	Initialize refresh counter.
4-3-2-1	Check for Forced Flash.
4-3-2-2	Check HW status of ROM.
4-3-2-3	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.
4-3-4-1	Boot the Flash program.
4-3-4-2	Initialize the boot device.
4-3-4-3	Boot code was read OK.
Двух тоновая сирена	Low CPU Fan speed, Voltage Level issue.

Resetting BIOS to default settings

The easiest way to reset BIOS is from its menu. To access this menu, restart the computer and press the dedicated key that appears on the screen when the computer is booting; in most cases, it’s either Delete or F2.

When in BIOS, look for a setting with the name like Reset to default, Load factory defaults, Clear BIOS settings, Load setup defaults. Use arrow keys to select it, and press the Enter key to confirm this action. Now BIOS will use default settings.

One more way to reset BIOs is to take out the battery located on the computer’s motherboard.

First of all, make sure the computer is powered off. Find a round flat battery on the motherboard and remove it carefully. Place it back after five minutes. This simple action will reset BIOS settings to default.

Installing new hardware

Sometimes, BIOS has to be updated so that it can support a piece of new hardware, for example, a more powerful CPU. You can see how it is done by watching a video in our YouTube channel.