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This section presents the options you have, if your Computer does not even start
up. The information in here could save you a great deal of heartache, effort and
money! Its easy to HATE the world, when your PC isn't working!
Setting aside your hatred of the world, the first thing that you need to
know is that all IBM Compatible Computers – Notebooks as well as Desktops, even
Servers – run what is called the Power-on Self Test (POST), the moment it is
switched on and before the familiar Windows screen is displayed. If any errors
are encountered during the POST, it usually means your Computer has a serious
error. Usually, POST Errors can only be fixed by replacing the failed part, but
then you may be lucky…
Lucky for you though, it is usually easy for a technician to watch the POST
messages that are displayed on your Computer’s screen – and the Beeps that
are played through your Computer’s Internal Speakers, and tell you exactly
what is wrong with your Computer. Yes you heard right, the Beeps made by
your Computer while undergoing the POST are diagnostic in nature – a single
false Beep and you are almost certain to have located the failed part! So
when your technician watches your Computer's POST progress and tells you
that your Memory SIMM is faulty, its not as if a "Higher Power" has
whispered the fault in his ear! The corollary here is that nothing prevents
you from arriving at the right conclusion too - if you know the Beep Error
Codes of your Computer!
In addition to Audio Beeps, you also have Code Numbers displayed on your
Screen. These tell the technician (and you!) exactly where the fault lies
too. Diagnostic Cards are also available for fitment into Desktop Computers
- these tell you the exact error more explicitly. If you do not have a
diagnostic Card – and most of us do not – then, the following Tables will be
very helpful in determining the exact problem with your Computer: the
pattern of Beeps or the Code Number displayed on your screen can be
deciphered and the fault corrected easily.
Although most of us do not own
an Original IBM Machine (but own what used to be called an 'IBM-compatible'), the following Table for
Original IBM Machines is presented below:
Table – 1: Original IBM PC Beep Error Diagnosis |
Beep Sequence |
Error Diagnosis
|
|
1 Beep |
Normal POST (Power On Self Test) - System is OK |
|
2 Short Beeps |
Error is shown on Screen |
|
No Beep |
Power Supply or Motherboard Error |
|
Continuous Beep |
Power Supply, Motherboard or Keyboard Error |
|
Repeating Short Beeps |
Power Supply or Motherboard Error |
|
1 Long, 1 Short Beep |
Motherboard Error |
|
1 Long, 2 Short Beeps |
Display Adapter Problem (older Displays – MDA and CGA) |
|
1 long, 3 short beeps |
Display Adapter Problem (older Displays – EGA Boards) |
|
3 long beeps |
3270 Keyboard Card |
Motherboard manufacturers of today, American Megatrends Inc. (AMI) and Phoenix
have put in a number of Beep Error Codes. Most Computers manufactured today
sport one of these two manufacturer's motherboards. So if your machine uses one
of the many AMI BIOS, this is the Table that you should refer to:
Table - 2: AMI BIOS Beep Error Diagnosis |
Beep Sequence |
Error Diagnosis
|
|
1 Beep |
System is OK!
If you do not see anything on your screen, check whether your Monitor is
switched on!
If Yes, check your Video Cable. That should solve your problem!
If your video cable too is OK, your Motherboard has faulty Chips. Open your CPU
if Desktop, or open the backside of your Notebook where the Memory SIMMs are,
press them into place. Reboot.
If your machine still does not boot up properly, one of the Memory Chips on your
Motherboard is bad. You are most likely to need a new Motherboard, since these
chips are soldered onto the Motherboard! |
|
2 Beeps |
Your computer has memory problems. First check video. If video is working,
you'll see an error message. If not, you have a parity error in your first 64K
of memory. First check your SIMM's. Reseat them and reboot. If this does not do
it, the memory chips may be bad. You can try switching the first and second
banks memory chips. First banks are the memory banks that your CPU finds its
first 64K of base memory in. You will need to consult your manual to see which
bank is first. If all your memory tests good, you probably need to buy another
motherboard. |
|
3 Beeps |
Similar to 2 Beeps, follow the same diagnosis as 2 Beeps |
|
4 Beeps |
Similar to 2 Beeps, follow the same diagnosis as 2 Beeps. The fault may also be
because of a faulty timer |
|
5 Beeps |
Motherboard at fault!
You may be lucky - reseating the memory and rebooting may cause the error to
disappear
If the error does not disappear, consider replacing the Motherboard
If your Motherboard is old, this may be your cue to replace it with a faster
Motherboard! Only, check out what else will have to be changed along with the
Motherboard: RAM SIMMs, Hard Disks – even Processor - may no longer be
compatible with newer Motherboards, therefore your total cost may be a lot more
than the cost of a new Motherboard alone! |
|
6 Beeps |
The Motherboard Chip that controls the Keyboard (A20 Gate) is cooked.
Try using another Keyboard. If the problem does not disappear, reseat the chip
that controls the keyboard, if it is not soldered in.
If the problem still remains, replace the chip on the Motherboard, if possible.
If the Keyboard Chip is soldered in or reseating it does not solve the problem,
replace the Motherboard, weighing in the option of upgrading to a faster
Motherboard, as discussed under 5 Beeps above |
|
7 Beeps |
Good Night to your Motherboard! Replace it or upgrade, as discussed under 5
Beeps above! | |
8 Beeps |
Video Card is to blame. Reseat it in the bus.
If problem persists, either the Card itself or your Video Memory is faulty. It
is then best bet is to install another video card. |
|
9 Beeps |
The BIOS is bad. Reseat your BIOS or replace it |
|
10 Beeps |
The problem lies somewhere deep inside your CMOS. It is best to replace all
chips associated with the CMOS. In fact, the best option here is to replace or
upgrade your Motherboard, following the same Motherboard upgradation norms that
were discussed under 5 Beeps |
|
11 Beeps |
Cache Memory chips on the Motherboard are at fault. Reseat them.
If reseating does not solve the issue, Replace them |
|
1 Long, 3 Short Beeps |
This is a Conventional or Extended Memory failure and it usually happens when
you have just added a Memory SIMM to the Motherboard. Many times, it is caused
by an improperly-seated Memory SIMM. Reseat the memory chips and usually, the
problem goes away.
If problem not resolved, change Memory SIMM |
|
1 Long, 8 Short Beeps |
This error tells you that the Display/ Retrace test has failed. Reseat the video
card.
If Reseating does not make the problem go away, Replace it |
Phoenix
is yet another popular BIOS manufacturer. If your
machine uses the Phoenix BIOS, the following Table is your reference point:
Table - 3: Phoenix BIOS Beep Error Diagnosis |
Beep Sequence |
Error Diagnosis
|
|
1-1-3 |
Your computer is unable to read the configuration info stored in the CMOS. It is
best to replace your Motherboard. Consider upgrading your Motherboard if the
faulty one is old. However, you need to look at whether the new Motherboard can
work with your existing RAM, Processor, Video Card (if any) and Hard Disk – the
total cost of upgradation may well be the cost of upgrading all these components
as well! |
|
1-1-4
|
Replace your BIOS, it is faulty |
|
1-2-1 |
It is very likely that your Motherboard’s Timer is at fault. The solution is to
replace your Motherboard – or upgrade it, if it is an old one, as mentioned
under 1-1-3 |
|
1-2-2 |
It is curtains for your Motherboard. Replace or upgrade if it is an old one, as
per 1-1-3 |
|
1-2-3 |
Curtains again for your Motherboard. Replace or upgrade if it is an old one, as
per 1-1-3 |
|
1-3-1 |
Motherboard is a goner. Replace or upgrade if it is an old one, as per 1-1-3 |
|
1-3-3 |
Your Motherboard is at fault. Replace or upgrade if it is an old one, as per
1-1-3 |
|
1-3-4 |
Bid goodbye to your Motherboard! Replace or upgrade if it is an old one, as per
1-1-3 |
|
1-4-1 |
Its your cue to replace or upgrade your Motherboard. Replace if it is a fairly
new one or upgrade if it is an old one, as per 1-1-3 |
|
1-4-2 |
It is most likely that one or more of your Memory SIMMs are at fault. Replace
them and the problem should be overcome |
|
2-_-_ |
Any combination of Beeps after two Beeps points to some of your Memory SIMMs
going bad. Get your Memory tested. If found faulty, replacing the faulty SIMM(s)
will solve the problem. If Memory SIMMs not faulty, it is again time to replace/
upgrade your Motherboard! |
|
3-1-_ |
One of the Chips on your Motherboard is has conked off. Time for a Motherboard
replacement/ upgrade! |
|
3-2-4 |
The Motherboard Chip that checks your Keyboard is dead. Rather than try and
replace the faulty Chip, it is better to replace or upgrade your Motherboard! |
|
3-3-4 |
Your Computer is unable to detect your Video Card. Press and reseat your Video
Card.
If that does not solve the problem, swap your Video Card with a working one. If
it works fine, it is time to get yourself a new Video Card.
If the second one too does not work, try changing the Slot on which the Video
Card is fixed. If either or both the Video Cards work, the Motherboard
Slot is at fault. If you have a spare Slot, you can continue without replacing
anything. However if you do not have a spare slot (or you do not have more than
1 AGP or specialized Video Slot), you will need to replace/ upgrade your
Motherboard! | |
3-4-_ |
Video Card Problem once again! Check out 3-3-4 above |
|
4-2-1 |
One of the Chips on your Motherboard has retired from service. Time for a
Motherboard replacement or upgrade! |
|
4-2-2 |
This is a Keyboard problem. Try fixing the Keyboard back in once again.
If that fails, try using a different Keyboard.
If that too fails, your Motherboard has copped it – replace or upgrade your
Motherboard! | |
4-2-3 |
Same as 4-2-2 |
|
4-2-4 |
One of the Cards fixed to your Motherboard is refusing to work! Press the Cards
firmly back in place and check if the problem is gone.
If problem persists, change the slots where possible and check again.
If problem persists, try swapping each Card with a working Card of the same
type. You need to yank out and swap each Card one-by-one, to isolate the faulty
one. Replace the bad one.
If the problem continues, replace/ upgrade your Motherboard |
|
4-3-1 |
Your Motherboard has gone BOOM. Replace, perhaps upgrade it with
the latest and fastest one! |
|
4-3-2 |
Your Motherboard is History - Replace, perhaps upgrade it with the latest
and fastest one! |
|
4-3-3 |
Your Motherboard has gone kaput! Replace or Upgrade it |
|
4-3-4 |
This is a failure of your Computer’s Clock. Run the setup program that came with
the Computer or Motherboard. Adjust the date and time.
If the problem persists, replace the CMOS battery.
If that too fails to bring results, replace the power supply.
The final thing to do here is to replace the motherboard, but that is a rare
possibility | |
4-4-1 |
Your Serial Ports are acting up! Reseat or Replace, the I/O card. If the I/O is
on the Motherboard itself, disable them with a jumper (consult your manual to
know which one) and then add an I/O card. |
|
4-4-2 |
See 4-4-1, but this time, it is your
Parallel Port that is acting up! |
|
4-4-3 |
You Math Coprocessor is experiencing difficulties. Run a test program to
double-check it. If it is indeed bad, disable it, or replace it.
If it is not bad, it is time for a Motherboard change – replacement or
upgradation! | |
Low 1-1-2 |
Your Motherboard has gone kaput! Replace, perhaps upgrade it with
the latest and fastest one! |
|
Low 1-1-3 |
This is an Extended CMOS RAM problem. Check your Motherboard CMOS Battery and
Motherboard. If replacing the CMOS Battery (or swapping with working CMOS
Batteries from a similar machine) solves your problem, pat yourself on the back
for saving you a nice pile of money!
If replacing the CMOS Battery does nothing to solve the problem, you need to
shell out money and get yourself a new Motherboard! |
Award BIOS Post Codes
Award make fine BIOS as well. Unfortunately, there are many versions of the
Award BIOS and they are manufactured by different companies too. Therefore,
they are supported not by the BIOS maker but by the motherboard maker. In
fact, the hardware vendor that designed your system is usually the best
source for bug fixes and answers about your system.
Contact Unicore Software (1-800-800-BIOS) for any help on Award Software
BIOS and upgrade products. Their e-mail address is
sales@unicore.com.
Unicore Software specializes in BIOS upgrades when the hardware vendor no
longer supports your system. In addition, upgrades from Unicore Software
often support new technologies (such as larger hard drives, removable boot
media, and new processors) that were unavailable when your system was
designed.
BIOS Upgrades
With so many advances in technology, your computer may need a BIOS upgrade
to take advantage of new devices, or make your computer perform better.
Usually BIOS Upgrades are “Flashed”, i.e., the new information is burnt into
the BIOS Chip, replacing the earlier information on it. Many System
manufacturers make available the latest BIOS, once you purchase their
Notebook or Desktop Computer.
eSupport.com is the world's oldest and largest
provider of BIOS Upgrade technology with nearly 15 years of unparalleled
excellence in the industry. eSupport.com is the official authorized BIOS
upgrade and support center for Award BIOS and AMI BIOS (American Megatrends
Inc.).
Some of the free tools they have to examine your BIOS and thus, letting you
learn more are;
BIOS Agent
The BIOS Agent is a simple, easy to use program that will automatically
identify your Computer’s BIOS and other System Information. You can quickly
identify the following:
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BIOS Date
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Motherboard OEM data
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CPU data
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BIOS Type
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Motherboard Chipset
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BIOS ROM data
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BIOS ID String |
Super I/O data |
Memory data
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BIOS Wizard
The BIOS Wizard is a simple and easy to use program that will examine and
identify the BIOS and Chipset on your system.
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