"1 long, 2 short" - what kind of sounds (beeps / beeps) from the computer when you turn it on? BIOS Signals: Tables

Good time!

If, after turning on your computer, you hear any strange sounds resembling beeps or squeak (as in Morse code: "1 long, 2 short", for example) - it is likely that an error has occurred with some of your PC components ... (malfunction).

Of course, these signals can be used to "carry out" primary diagnostics, and significantly narrow the circle of potential "culprits" (note: the signals may differ slightly for different BIOS versions).

In this short note, I will give the most popular BIOS versions, and sound signals for them. 👇

👉 Note!

Where do these signals come from? The fact is that in mat. computer boards have specials. the microcircuit in which the BIOS is written (in fact, this is a program *).

So, after turning on the computer, the BIOS first starts and initializes the installed equipment (the so-called "self-testing" - in English. Power-On Self Test - POST).

If some equipment fails initialization, POST will be stopped, and for a small additional. speaker (speaker) on the mat. board will display a special. sound signal.

BIOS Signals: Tables

How to determine the BIOS version

And so, in order to "judge" what the PC wants to tell us with its signals, we need to determine the BIOS version. How to do it 👇.

Option 1: look at the documentation for your PC (motherboard).

Option 2: if Windows boots on your computer, you can press the combination Win + R (so that the "Run" window appears), and use the msinfo32 command (see "1" in the screenshot below).

Option 3: go to BIOS settings - at the top of the window (usually) the version is always indicated. See screenshot below: AWARD, AMI, Phoenix ...

How to find out the BIOS version

Option 4: you can also find out the model of the motherboard and see what kind of BIOS is on the official. manufacturer's website.

BIOS Award

Signal	Description
No signal	The issue with the power supply: either not working properly, or not connected (it is also possible that the speaker is disconnected).
Continuous	The power supply is likely to be defective.
Short repeating	A short in the power circuits (may also indicate a problem with the power supply).
Long repeating	RAM related error. For example, RAM dies are incorrectly installed (or one of the dies is out of order). As a minimum, it is recommended to reinstall the dies and blow out dust from the slots.
1 short	Usually occurs immediately after switching on. Means that the POST procedure has been completed, there are no errors, and the computer is operating normally.
2 short	A non-fatal error has occurred (even a simple BIOS reset will often help resolve the issue).
3 long	An error related to the keyboard controller. If, after resetting the BIOS settings and restarting the PC, the error persists, there is probably a malfunction of the mat. Boards.
1 long, 1 short	RAM related error. Try to remove all memory sticks and connect only one of them.
1 long, 2 short	The video card (video memory) is not initialized. It is recommended to check whether the video card is well connected, whether it is securely fixed in the slot (whether the power is connected to it). It is possible that a video card was installed that is not supported by the mat. Pay.
1 long, 3 short	Keyboard related error. It can indicate both a keyboard malfunction and a mat. Boards (as an option: try connecting the keyboard to a different port / or use a different keyboard).
1 long, 9 short	BIOS reading error (often occurs after firmware errors, power failures in the PC, etc.).

AMI BIOS (American Megatrends)

Signal	Description
No signals	It is necessary to check the connection of the power supply unit, whether it is working properly (the speaker may be turned off).
1 short	No errors were found, all devices are initialized, the computer boots normally.
2 short	An error indicating a problem with the RAM. You can recommend removing the RAM modules from the slots, blowing them out, and inserting them back. After restarting the PC.
3 short	First 64KB RAM error.
4 short	Malfunction of the system timer on the motherboard.
5 short	There is a problem with the CPU. Its incorrect installation (or failure ...) is possible.
6 short	An error related to the keyboard (the reason can be both in the keyboard and in the motherboard). To begin with, I would recommend trying to connect another keyboard to a PC.
7 short	Motherboard malfunction (by the way, as an option: incorrect installation of the board in the case).
8 short	The video card (video memory) is not initialized. Check if it is installed correctly, try reconnecting.
9 short	BIOS reading problem. The issue can usually be resolved after updating the BIOS content.
10 short	Unable to write to CMOS memory.
11 short	RAM related error.
1 long 2 short	A problem with the initialization of the video adapter (it is possible that the card is not connected or is faulty).
1 long 3 short	No graphics card found. - // -
1 long 8 short	Video memory error problem (= video card malfunction). By the way, this error can rarely occur if the monitor is not connected to the video card.

BIOS Phoenix

Note: a signal like "1-1-3" (👇) in BIOS Phoenix means that there will be 1 short beep, pause, 1 more short beep, pause, and 4 more short ones.

Signal	Description
1-1-2	An error related to the processor (its possible malfunction).
1-1-3	Error reading CMOS memory.
1-1-4	BIOS read error (usually requires BIOS reset / flashing).
1-2-1	Problem with initializing the motherboard. May indicate a malfunction or incorrect connection.
1-2-2 and 1-2-3	DMA controller initialization problem.
1-3-1	RAM regeneration error.
1-3-3 and 1-3-4	Error while testing the first 64 KB of RAM
1-4-1	Faulty motherboard.
1-4-2	RAM initialization error.
1-4-3	System timer error.
1-4-4	I / O port access error
2-X-X	Problems with the first 64k memory;
3-1-1	Error initializing the second DMA channel.
3-1-2 and 3-1-4	Failed to initialize the first DMA channel.
3-2-4	Keyboard controller error.
3-3-4	Video memory testing error.
4-2-1	System timer error.
4-2-3	Keyboard controller error.
4-2-4	Error while operating in protected mode, possibly a CPU malfunction.
4-3-1	RAM test error.
4-3-2	Error passing the first timer test.
4-3-3	Error passing the second timer test.
4-4-1	Serial port error. May be due to the device connected to this port.
4-4-2	Parallel port error. - // -
4-4-3	Math coprocessor error.
Long repetitive signals	Malfunction of the motherboard (in some cases, it may indicate its incorrect installation).