An introduction to BIOS beep codes.
When you power on your computer, the motherboard’s basic input/output system(BIOS) first detects the computer’s internal hardware configuration and then performs the power-on self-test(POST).
The POST executes several diagnostic tests that check the basic functionality of the power supply, motherboard, CPU, I/O Bus Controller, RAM, keyboard, and video components.
If the computer passes the POST, it will usually return a single short beep or two short beeps, depending on the BIOS manufacturer.
If the POST detects any problems, it will halt the boot process and return an error message either visually on the screen and/or audibly through a series of beeps.
Unfortunately, there is no official standard for beep codes. Depending on the BIOS manufacturer, a keyboard controller failure could be three, four, five, or six beeps.
While this document lists common BIOS manufacturer beep codes, you should always consult your motherboard’s documentation, the manufacturer’s Web site, and the BIOS manufacturer’s Web site for a definitive beep code list for your particular BIOS.
The information contained in the following lists was gathered from various BIOS manufacturers’ Web sites.
AMI BIOS beep codes
https://ami.com/support/bios.html
https://ami.com/support/doc/AMIBIOS-codes.pdf
*Number of beeps - Problem description -Troubleshooting recommendation
1 -Memory refresh timer error -Reset memory or replace with known good chips.
2 -Parity error -Reset memory or replace with known good chips.
3 -Base 64K memory read/write test failure -Reset memory or replace with known good chips.
4 -Motherboard timer not operational -Repair/replace motherboard.
5 -Processor error -Repair/replace motherboard/Processor.
6 -8042?gate A20 failure/Keyboard controller BAT test error -Reset keyboard controller chip, replace keyboard controller chip, check for a keyboard fuse, or try a different keyboard.
7 -Processor exception interrupt error -Repair/replace motherboard.
8 -Display memory read/write failure -Replace video card or video card memory.
9 -ROM checksum error/Faulty BIOS chips -Replace chips or motherboard.
10 -CMOS shutdown register read/write error -Repair/replace motherboard.
11 -Cache memory bad -Repair/replace motherboard.