The AMI Bios (American Megatrends Inc. Bios) is a very common BIOS that has a pretty descriptive beep pattern. Note that as with other beep codes, these codes can also occur if something is wrong with the motherboard, so the codes are only useful if the motherboard itself is reporting the error properly.
BIOS BEEP PATTERN:
| 1 short | DRAM refresh failure |
| 2 short | Parity circuit failure |
| 3 short | Base 64K RAM failure |
| 4 short | System timer failure |
| 5 short | Process failure |
| 6 short | Keyboard controller Gate A20 error |
| 7 short | Virtual mode exception error |
| 8 short | Display memory Read/Write test failure |
| 9 short | ROM BIOS checksum failure |
| 10 short | CMOS shutdown Read/Write error |
| 11 short | Cache Memory error |
| 1 long, 3 short | Conventional/Extended memory failure |
| 1 long, 8 short | Display/Retrace test failed |
Detailed explanations:
1 short: DRAM refresh failure
The circuitry used to refresh the DRAM has failed.
2 short: Parity circuit failure
This relates to parity checking. The circuitry used to check the parity bit on system memory is failing.
3 short: Base 64K RAM failure
There was a problem with accessing the first 64Kb of memory. Swap out each memory stick to try and see if you can bypass the problem. Try swapping between various slots too. This error occurs if the motherboard is also failing so if none of your RAM works then the motherboard might be at fault.
4 short: System timer failure
The motherboard is toast (some timer or other on the circuit is failing)!
4 short: System timer failure
The motherboard is toast (some timer or other on the circuit is failing)!
5 short: Processor failure
The CPU is returning an error, or the motherboard cannot use the CPU properly.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Don't confuse "processor failure" to mean "processor is dead"... if your CPU is dead the system shouldn't even power up at all, so it could possibly be a short, or a problem in a component that is interfering with the system. The processor might not be functioning properly or the motherboard might be having some problems (compatbility between components need not be outruled), but the processor is not "dead".
6 short: Keyboard controller Gate A20 error
The Keyboard controller is not working. This controller controls the keyboard and also the A20 Gate that access the HMA (High Memory Area).
7 short: Virtual mode exception error
The processor can't complete it's test of virtual mode.
8 short: Display memory Read/Write test failure
The motherboard cannot write to the frame buffer of your video card. Something is either wrong with the video card, with the video card memory, or the motherboard. Btw if the system continues to boot this is not unusual: this is not a stop error code.
9 short: ROM BIOS checksum failure
The ROM (read-only memory) that stores the BIOS code has failed its checksum error. This checksum is used to ensure that the BIOS code is correct each time you boot up, and the error likely means that the BIOS code has been corrupted somehow. The code is stored usually on a BIOS chip that can often be replaced. Some motherboards even have what is known as a "Dual Bios" system which will allow you to use a second BIOS chip in case of the first having failed.
10 short: CMOS shutdown Read/Write error
Unlike the ROM BIOS checksum failure, the CMOS shutdown failure indicates that the user BIOS settings somehow cannot be accessed by the motherboard. This usually indicates something is wrong with the motherboard.
11 short: Cache Memory error
The motherboard cannot verify the secondary L2 cache.
1 long, 3 short: Conventional/Extended memory failure
Conventional/Extended memory failure means that the system is reporting an error with the DRAM sticks that you have installed in your system. The most likely problem is either fault RAM, or improperly seated RAM (try reseating the RAM or moving it around to different slots).
1 long, 8 short: Display/Retrace test failed
The video card retrace has failed. This is usually a problem with the video card, or with the motherboard.
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