This document pertains to HP and Compaq Desktop computers.

If your computer makes one or two short beeps before starting, this is normal and your computer is telling you that BIOS startup was successful. If your computer beeps and does not start, a more serious hardware problem is likely occurring. This support document contains information that can help you learn more about the problem and how to

What to do when beep codes occur

A beep code usually means a basic function was unable to start. A basic function might be reading memory, displaying video, or being able to send information to a hard drive.

The most common problems that cause beep codes are memory and heat-related failures caused by a build-up of dust in critical cooling areas. Use the beep code tables in this document to help find what hardware component is causing the problem. This might reduce the time required to find the hardware component that needs adjusted, reseated, or replaced.

Using the correct environment for working on computers (ESD precautions and tools), use the following steps to isolate and fix the problem:

1. Turn on the computer.
2. Listen to the beep code and write it down. Write down the number of beeps before each pause, if the beeps are long, short, high in tone, or low in tone. You can use the other sections in this document to look up the beep code description. The beep code and its description can be used for further Internet research if needed.
   Also note which fans are spinning, not spinning, or making strange noises. It might be possible to prevent the beep code by setting the fan speed to a higher setting in the BIOS setup utility or by cleaning the cooling fins and vents.
3. Turn off the computer by holding the power button for five seconds.
4. Disconnect the power cord and then disconnect all external cords from the computer.
5. Remove the side panel to open the computer.
6. If the case fan was not spinning, make sure the case fan power cable is connected to the correct pins on the motherboard. Replace the fan if it was making excessive noise or was not spinning.
   If you had to plug in or replace the fan, replace the side panel, plug in the power cord and turn on the computer. If the beeps continue, continue to the next step.
7. Disconnect the power cord and remove the side panel.
8. Perform each of the following tasks, in order, until the beeping stops.
   Before starting each task, unplug the power cord and remove the side panel.
   After completing a task, replace the side panel, connect the power cord, turn on the computer, and listen for a beep code.

   NOTE:

   If removing or disconnecting a hardware component prevents the beep code, that component is probably causing the problem. However, a failed motherboard might produce beep codes associated with a component other than the motherboard.

   1. Clean cooling components that have become clogged with dust. If beeping continues, continue to the next step.
   2. Remove a memory module.
      If the computer stops beeping, the memory module might be bad, is the wrong type of memory for the motherboard, or was not fully seated or connected. Reinsert the memory into the socket to see if a connection was the problem; otherwise replace the module.
      Remove each memory module, replacing the one that was previously removed. If beeping continues after checking all the memory modules, continue to the next step.
   3. If the computer has a graphics adapter, remove it.
      If the beep code changes or continues with the same beep pattern after removing the graphics adapter, the adapter might still be good. Reseat the graphics adapter into its socket and continue to the next step.
      If the beep code goes away, the graphics adapter might be bad. Try reseating the graphics adapter, making sure it is fully locked into the connector on the motherboard. If problems continue, replace the adapter.
   4. Remove a PCI card.
      If the beep code goes away, the card might be bad. Try reseating the card into its connector on the motherboard. If problems continue, replace the card.
      Remove each PCI card, replacing the one that was previously removed. After checking all cards, if beeping continues, continue to the next step.
   5. Disconnect hard drives and CD or DVD drive cables (IDE and ATA) from the motherboard socket.
      If the beep code goes away, the cable or socket is probably bad. Look for bent pins inside the IDE socket on the motherboard and straighten any bent pins. Try reseating the cables into the connectors. If problems continue, the drive itself might be bad and might need replacing.
      Disconnect each drive cable, replacing the one that was previously disconnected, until all have been checked. After checking all connections, if beeping continues, continue to the next step.
   6. At this point, the problem is probably the motherboard or processor. Make sure any jumpers on the motherboard have not fallen off their pins and into the case. Make sure jumpers are set correctly. Otherwise, have the computer serviced by HP or by a qualified service center.

Beep codes common to HP and Compaq desktop PCs

The following beep codes are common to many HP and Compaq desktop computers. Use these codes first before referring to the other code lists.

Beeps	Description
1 short beep and 1 long beep	Memory problem
2 short beeps and 1 long beep (repeats 5 times)	Unable to initialize video or video card required but not installed
3 short beeps and 1 long beep	CPU configuration error or CPU type is not compatible

The following beep codes are common to many HP and Compaq desktop computers that can occur while restoring, flashing or updating the BIOS :

Beeps	Description
1 short beep	Legacy floppy drive or CD/DVD drive not detected
2 short beeps	Floppy diskette or compact disc not detected
3 short beeps	Unable to start flashing (such as when missing a utility or BIOS image)
4 short beeps	Flashing failed (checksum error, corrupted image, etc.)
5 short beeps	BIOS recovery successful

Beep codes for American Megatrends, Inc (AMI) BIOS

The following AMI beep codes can occur when there is a problem during the attempt of a normal system startup. You can use these codes to help troubleshoot problems related to system startup. When troubleshooting further, please refer to the section What to do when beep codes occur .

Beeps	Description
1	Memory timing failure
2	Memory parity error
3	Memory read or write failure
4, 5, 6, 7	Fatal errors related to the operation of critical motherboard components - such as the CPU.
8	Video memory

The following table lists AMI beep codes that can occur when attempting to flash or recover the BIOS. You can use these codes to help troubleshoot problems related to system startup or flashing BIOS memory (such as in BIOS upgrades).

Number of beeps	Post code
1	No media detected
2	ROM file not found in root directory
3	Insert next media volume
4	Flash Programming successful
5	Failure while reading file
7	Flash EPROM not detected
10	Failure while erasing flash memory
11	Flash program error
12	Problem with ROM file size
13	ROM image does not match BIOS requirements

Beep codes for Award BIOS

Most Award post codes are displayed to screen. If a beep code occurs the problem is likely occurring before the system can display video (check the video card or memory).

Beeps	Description
1 short beep	POST process completed successfully - normal startup
1 long beep followed by 2 or 3 short beeps	Unable to initialize video (to display the post code)
Continuous beeping without pause	Serious system related problem such as CPU overheating
Other beep conditions	Memory errors.

Beep codes for Phoenix BIOS

You can use these codes to help troubleshoot problems related to system startup or flashing BIOS memory (such as in BIOS upgrades). When troubleshooting further, please refer to the section What to do when beep codes occur .

Four series of beeps indicate a fatal error; that is, a problem exists which prevents the computer from starting. For example, there might be two beeps, a short pause, one beep, a short pause, one beep, a short pause, and then three beeps; this is represented as 2-1-1-3 in the chart below.

Beeps	Post Code	Description of failure
One short beep	0	POST process completed successfully - normal startup
1-1-1-3	02h	Verify real mode
1-1-2-1	04h	Get CPU type
1-1-2-3	06h	Initialize system hardware
1-1-3-1	08h	Initialize chipset registers with initial POST values
1-1-3-2	09h	Set in POST flag
1-1-3-3	0Ah	Initialize CPU registers
1-1-4-1	0Ch	Initialize cache to initial POST values
1-1-4-3	0Eh	Initialize I/O
1-2-1-1	10h	Initialize Power Management
1-2-1-2	11h	Load alternate registers with initial POST values
1-2-1-3	12h	Jump to UserPatch0
1-2-2-1	14h	Initialize keyboard controller
1-2-2-3	16h	BIOS ROM checksum
1-2-3-1	18h	8254 timer initialization
1-2-3-3	1Ah	8237 DMA controller initialization
1-2-4-1	1Ch	Reset Programmable Interrupt Controller
1-3-1-1	20h	Test DRAM refresh
1-3-1-3	22h	Test 8742 Keyboard Controller
1-3-2-1	24h	Set ES segment register to 4 GB
1-3-3-1	28h	Autosize DRAM
1-3-3-3	2Ah	Clear 512K base RAM
1-3-4-1	2Ch	Test 512 base address lines
1-3-4-3	2Eh	Test 512K base memory
1-4-1-3	32h	Test CPU bus-clock frequency
1-4-2-1	34h	CMOS RAM read/write failure
1-4-2-4	37h	Reinitialize the chipset
1-4-3-1	38h	Shadow system BIOS ROM
1-4-3-2	39h	Reinitialize the cache
1-4-3-3	3Ah	Autosize cache
1-4-4-1	3Ch	Configure advanced chipset registers
1-4-4-2	3Dh	Load alternate registers with CMOS values
2-1-1-1	40h	Set Initial CPU speed
2-1-1-3	42hs	Initialize interrupt vector
2-1-2-1	44h	Initialize BIOS interrupts
2-1-2-3	46h	Check ROM copyright notice
2-1-2-4	47h	Initialize manager for PCI Options ROMs
2-1-3-1	48h	Check video configuration against CMOS
2-1-3-2	49h	Initialize PCI bus and devices
2-1-3-3	4Ah	Initialize all video adapters in system
2-1-4-1	4Ch	Shadow video BIOS ROM
2-1-4-3	4Eh	Display copyright notice
2-2-1-1	50h	Display CPU type and speed
2-2-1-3	52h	Test keyboard
2-2-2-1	54h	Set key click if enabled
2-2-2-3	56h	Enable keyboard
2-2-3-1	58h	Test for unexpected interrupts
2-2-3-3	5Ah	Display prompt "Press F2 to enter SETUP"
2-2-4-1	5Ch	Test RAM between 512 and 640k
2-3-1-1	60h	Test expanded memory
2-3-1-3	62h	Test extended memory address lines
2-3-2-1	64h	Jump to UserPatch1
2-3-2-3	66h	Configure advanced cache registers
2-3-3-1	68h	Enable external and CPU caches
2-3-3-2	69h	Initialize SMI handler
2-3-3-3	6Ah	Display external cache size
2-3-4-1	6Ch	Display shadow message
2-3-4-3	6Eh	Display non-disposable segments
2-4-1-1	70h	Display error messages
2-4-1-3	72h	Check for configuration errors
2-4-2-1	74h	Test real-time clock
2-4-2-3	76h	Check for keyboard errors
2-4-4-1	7Ch	Set up hardware interrupts vectors
2-4-4-3	7Eh	Test coprocessor if present
3-1-1-1	80h	Disable onboard I/O ports
3-1-1-3	82h	Detect and install external RS232 ports
3-1-2-1	84h	Detect and install external parallel ports
3-1-2-3	86h	Re-initialize onboard I/O ports
3-1-3-1	88h	Initialize BIOS data area
3-1-3-3	8Ah	Initialize extended BIOS data area
3-1-4-1	8Ch	Initialize floppy controller
3-2-1-1	90h	Initialize hard-disk controller
3-2-1-2	91h	Initialize local-bus hard-disk controller
3-2-1-3	92h	Jump to UserPatch2
3-2-2-1	94h	Disable A20 address line
3-2-2-3	96h	Clear huge ES segment register
3-2-3-1	98h	Search for option ROMs
3-2-3-3	9Ah	Shadow option ROMs
3-2-4-1	9Ch	Set up Power Management
3-2-4-3	9Eh	Enable hardware interrupts
3-3-1-1	A0h	Set time of day
3-3-1-3	A2h	Check key lock
3-3-3-1	A8h	Erase F2 prompt
3-3-3-3	Aah	Scan for F2 key stroke
3-3-4-1	AChP	Enter SETU
3-3-4-3	Aeh	Clear in-POST flag
3-4-1-1	B0h	Check for errors
3-4-1-3	B2h	POST done--prepare to boot operating system
3-4-2-1	B4h	One beep
3-4-2-3	B6h	Check password (optional)
3-4-3-1	B8h	Clear global descriptor table
3-4-4-1	BCh	Clear parity checkers
3-4-4-3	Beh	Clear screen (optional)
3-4-4-4	BFh	Check virus and backup reminders
4-1-1-1	C0h	Try to boot with INT 19
4-2-1-1	D0h	Interrupt handler error
4-2-1-3	D2h	Unknown interrupt error
4-2-2-1	D4h	Pending interrupt error
4-2-2-3	D6h	Initialize option ROM error
4-2-3-1	D8h	Shutdown error
4-2-3-3	Dah	Extended Block Move
4-2-4-1	DCh	Shutdown error
4-2-4-3	Deh	Keyboard Controller Failure
4-3-1-3	E2h	Initialize the chipset
4-3-1-4	E3h	Initialize refresh counter
4-3-2-1	E4h	Check for Forced Flash
4-3-2-2	E5h	Check HW status of ROM
4-3-2-3	E6h	BIOS ROM is OK
4-3-2-4	E7h	Do a complete RAM test
4-3-3-1	E8h	Do OEM initialization
4-3-3-2	E9h	Initialize interrupt controller
4-3-3-3	Eah	Read in bootstrap code
4-3-3-4	Ebh	Initialize all vectors
4-3-4-1	Ech	Boot the Flash program
4-3-4-2	Edh	Initialize the boot device
4-3-4-3	Eeh	Boot code was read OK

Related support

Updating the BIOS