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Troubleshooting POST beep and no beep errors

Troubleshooting


Problem

Lists POST beep and no beep error codes with tips on how to use them

Resolving The Problem

What is a POST beep code?

POST beep errors are short tones or a series of short tones separated by pauses (intervals without sound) that occur during system bootup.

Troubleshooting steps
  1. Listen closely to the sequence of beeps that your system is giving.

  2. Use the charts below to decipher the beep (or no beep) error code.

    decipher POST beep codes
    decipher no beeps at POST

  3. Run diagnostics on the components indicated on the charts.

  4. If you have recently added, moved, or removed an option within your system:

    1. Ensure all connections are firm and proper.
    2. Ensure all options are compatible with your system.
    3. Ensure all options are configured properly, per the User's guide.

  5. If these steps have not solved your problem:
    Refer to your system's Hardware Maintenance Manual, or refer to "Need more help?"

How to decipher a beep code
Example beep code:
Description of beep sounds at bootup:
1-2-X
  • One beep
  • A pause (or break)
  • Two beeps
  • A pause (or break)
  • Any number of beeps
4
  • Four continuous beeps

Beep error code:
Action / Run diagnosics on the following components:
1-1-3 CMOS read/write error 1. Run Setup
2. System Board
1-1-4 ROM BIOS check error 1. System Board
1-2-X DMA error 1. System Board
1-3-X 1. Memory Module
2. System Board
1-4-4 1. Keyboard
2. System Board
1-4-X Error detected in first 64 KB of RAM. 1. Memory Module
2. System Board
2-1-1, 2-1-2 1. Run Setup
2. System Board
2-1-X First 64 KB of RAM failed. 1. Memory Module
2. System Board
2-2-2 1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
2-2-X First 64 KB of RAM failed. 1. Memory Module
2. System Board
2-3-X 1. Memory Module
2. System Board
2-4-X 1. Run Setup
2. Memory Module
3. System Board
3-1-X DMA register failed. 1. System Board
3-2-4 Keyboard controller failed. 1. System Board
2. Keyboard
3-3-4 Screen initialization failed. 1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
3. Display
3-4-1 Screen retrace lest detected an error. 1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
3. Display
3-4-2 POST is searching for video ROM. 1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
4 1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
All other beep code sequences. 1. System Board
One long and one short beep during POST. Base 640 KB memory error or shadow RAM error. 1. Memory Module
2. System Board
One long beep and two or three short beeps during POST.(Video error) 1. Video Adapter (if installed)
2. System Board
Three short beeps during POST. 1. See "System board memory" on page 62.
2. System Board
Continuous beep. 1. System Board
Repeating short beeps. 1. Keyboard stuck key?
2. Keyboard Cable
3. System Board

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No beep symptoms

Notes:

  • Machine types 6268, 6278, 6288, 6338 default to come up quiet (i.e. No beep and no memory count and checkpoint code display) when no errors are detected by POST.
  • To enable Beep and memory count and checkpoint code display when a successful POST occurs, set Power-on Status to Enable in the F1 Setup Utility program.

No beep symptom:
Action / Run diagnosics on the following components:
No beep during POST but computer works correctly. 1. System Board
No beep during POST 1. System Board
2. Memory Module
3. Any Adapter or Device
4. Riser Card
5. Power Cord
6. Power Supply

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Need more help?
Please select one of the the following options for further assistance:

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Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

IntelliStation Pro:All operating systems listed

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Document Information

Modified date:
28 January 2019

UID

ibm1MIGR-4B9PPW

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