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Computer Error Beeps – What do they Mean?

Computer error beeps - If you ever power on your computer and you get no image on your monitor what does it mean?
 
Luckily IBM had the foresight to think of this and give us the audible computer beep codes, so if your computer has not picture on its monitor when starting up your computer it should give us a series of beeps to indicate what is causing the problem.

Many different BIOS manufacturers have different computer beep codes , but the ones we have listed here are the most general.

Computer Error Beeps & meanings

 
  • No Beeps          No system power, usually caused by blown fuse on power cord or PSU
  • 1 Short Beep     Normal POST or power on self test confirming that the computer is ok.
  • 2 Short Beeps     POST error, check the monitor for error code, This type of error generally occurs when a system change is made such as adding more memory, or the CMOS battery has expired and as such keeps loosing date and time when the computer is powered off
  • Continuous Beeps          Loose pc card or memory SIMM, try reseating all cards as mentioned
  • Repeating Short Beep    No Power, Loose Card, or Short, check/reseat all cards and memory SIMMs, including cables running from the PSU to the motherboard

 
  • One Long and one Short Beep    Motherboard problem, this can also be processor related, could be related to recent changes such as memory upgrades, have a good look at the motherboard to make sure no capacitors have swelled, there should be a burning smell if this is the case, motherboard will probably need to be replaced
  • One Long and Two short Beeps   Video Mono/CGA Display Circuitry issue, older type of display, reseat graphics card and/or try another graphics card
  • One Long and Three Short Beeps.           Video EGA Display Circuitry, as above, reseat graphics and/or try another graphics card
  • Three Long Beeps          Keyboard error, remove and re-connect keyboard connector, also make sure the keyboard does not have any stuck keys

  • One Long Beep, computer cannot find monitor, could be graphics card, video cable or the monitor itself, try another monitor or another computer using your monitor to pinpoint fault.

As specified above there is a lot of error codes in addition to the ones I have mentioned, so if you need more specific information its worth searching for error codes for your particular BIOS.

If your computer has no display the easiest way to get the BIOS manufacturer is to open the case and look on the chipset.

Common BIOS manufacturers – AMI – AWARD – IBM – Macintosh – Phoenix -

Computer Error Beeps you can't recognize? Ask at the forum 

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