How to Decipher Computer Beep Codes

You turn on your computer one day and your computer is beeping. How can you tell what is wrong? In this article I intend to briefly describe the beep code errors. They differ according to your systems BIOS.

What does BIOS mean?

BIOS stands for Basic input output system. Its also known as Basic Integrated Operating System. It basically controls your computers operation and runs a check every time your system is turned on. When you turn your system on its called POST. POST stands for power on self test. Its during this process that your BIOS checks to see if everything is working normally. If it isn't the computer will beep more than once.

Different BIOS

There are four basic BIOS systems. They are IBM standard, Award BIOS, AMI BIOS and Phoenix BIOS. Depending which one you have determines the beep code. The IBM BIOS will display a code along with the beep to show you what the problem is. If you have an IBM BIOS you can print this list off the web and put it in a safe place. How do you determine which BIOS you have? When your computer boots up its the first thing you will see on your screen right before the video card information. The beep code list for each BIOS is also available on the Internet.

For our purposes today in this article I intend to discuss standard beep codes which is usually evident in all BIOS. The beep code descriptions comes from the AMI BIOS which is used a lot in motherboards. This should give you a general idea of what the problem is if your computer is not booting up.

No beep

Is a power problem computer does not power on could be power supply, motherboard, or both. A tech can determine which one it is by using test parts.

One beep

Normal POST everything is fine and computer boots up normally. This usually is one short beep and your computer boots up just fine.

Two, three, or four short beeps

Normally this has to do with memory. If there is a problem with one of your memory chips you should get beeps of different combinations in this area. If you get 2 or 3 short beeps one or both of your memory chips is bad. The beeps have to do with basic and extended memory errors.

Five beeps

Your motherboard is complaining cause something is not seated properly. Check that the memory and video card are seated properly. Try removing them and put them back in.

Six, seven or eight beeps

This problem has to do with video card, CPU, or a bad chip on the motherboard. Eight beeps means a bad video card. Six and seven beeps has to do with the motherboard and CPU.

Nine beeps

The BIOS is bad. The BIOS is a chip on the motherboard just replace the motherboard.

Ten beeps

The problem is in the CMOS. All chips will need replacing just replace the motherboard.

Eleven beeps

Its the cache on the motherboard. The motherboard needs replacing.

One long and three short beeps

Memory chips is loose try reseating it.

One long and eight short beeps

Reseat the video card.

This gives you an overview of what the problem is if you try booting up and you get these beep error codes. These beep code combinations will vary some with other BIOS. The full list is available to save from websites on the Internet.