Beep Codes Guide - HardwareCentral.com (original) (raw)
Beep codes are the little beeps you hear out of the PC speaker whenever you turn the computer on. They are your computer’s way of letting you know what’s going on when the video signal is not working. These codes are built in to the BIOS of the PC.
There is no official standard for these codes due to the many brands of BIOS that are out there, but the two main brands are Phoenix and American Megatrends, Inc. As a result, these beep code formats are the most common and will be covered here. If you don’t know who made your BIOS, consult the manual of your motherboard. If you don’t have a manual, simply take off the case and look. For information on identifying BIOS, click here. Once you find them, just see if it says “AMI” or “Phoenix.”
Once you have determined your BIOS make, consult the following to see what’s wrong with your computer.
AMI BIOS Beep Codes
Normally, a computer with AMI BIOS doesn’t bother with beeps. It will flash an error message right across your screen. It’s when the video card isn’t working or something rather serious goes wrong that your computer will start beeping.
| # of Beeps | What’s Wrong |
|---|---|
| none | You’re supposed to hear at least one beep. If you truly don’t hear anything, either your computer’s power supply, motherboard, or PC speaker is no good. |
| 1 | One beep is good! Everything is A-OK… (see screen, check monitor and video card, etc.) |
| 2 | Memory problems. First, check video… (reseat SIMMs, swap banks, replace motherboard if needed). |
| 3 | Same as 2 beeps; follow diagnosis above. |
| 4 | Same as 2 beeps; may also be a bad timer. |
| 5 | Motherboard error. Try reseating memory; if not fixed, replace motherboard. |
| 6 | Keyboard controller chip failure. Try another keyboard, reseat/replace chip, or replace motherboard. |
| 7 | CPU failure. Replace CPU or motherboard. |
| 8 | Video card failure. Reseat or replace card. |
| 9 | BIOS is bad; replace it. |
| 10 | CMOS error. Chips may need replacing; best option is a new motherboard. |
| 11 | Cache memory is bad. Replace cache memory instead of reactivating. |
Phoenix Beep Codes
Phoenix beep codes are more detailed than are the AMI codes. It emits three sets of beeps. For example, 1 -pause- 3 -pause- 3. This is a 1-3-3 combination and each set of beeps is separated by a brief pause. You need to listen and count when your computer starts doing this. Reboot and recount if you have to.
| Beep Sequence | What’s Wrong |
|---|---|
| 1-1-3 | CMOS read error. Replace motherboard. |
| 1-1-4 | BIOS needs replacement. |
| 1-2-1 | Bad timer chip; replace motherboard. |
| 1-2-2 / 1-2-3 / 1-3-1 | Motherboard failure. |
| 1-3-3 | Same as AMI BIOS 2 beeps. Replace motherboard. |
| 1-3-4 / 1-4-1 | Motherboard failure. |
| 1-4-2 | Some memory is bad. |
| 2-_-_ | Indicates bad memory. Have it tested or replaced. |
| 3-1-_ | Faulty motherboard chip. Likely need new board. |
| 3-2-4 | Keyboard controller failure. |
| 3-3-4 | Video card not found. Reseat or swap with another. |
| 3-4-_ | Video card failure. Replace card. |
| 4-2-1 | Bad motherboard chip. Replace board. |
| 4-2-2 / 4-2-3 | Keyboard or motherboard issue. |
| 4-2-4 | Faulty expansion card. Remove cards one by one to find the bad one. Replace or replace motherboard. |
| 4-3-1 / 4-3-2 / 4-3-3 | Replace motherboard. |
| 4-3-4 | Clock failure. Try setup, replace battery, power supply, or rarely motherboard. |
| 4-4-1 / 4-4-2 | Serial ports failing. Reseat/replace I/O card or disable onboard ports and add a new card. |
| 4-4-3 | Math coprocessor error. Run test; disable or replace it. Safe to disable if unused. |