AMI BIOS POST Beep Codes (85636)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 1.x
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 2.11
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.1
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.2
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.21
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3a
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.01
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0a
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.2
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.21
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.22
This article was previously published under Q85636

SUMMARY

American Megatrends, Inc. (AMI) BIOS will produce audible beeps associated with beep codes during the power-on self test (POST). Depending upon the condition, a predefined number of beeps are sounded, which are associated with the error messages below.

NOTE: Some systems produce beeps as part of the normal boot sequence. This article refers to beeps produced by the AMI ROM BIOS before the operating system loads.

MS-DOS does not produce beep codes.

MORE INFORMATION

The error messages associated with the AMI BIOS beep codes are as follows: 
Number of Beeps      Error Message
---------------      -------------

       1             DRAM refresh failure
       2             Parity circuit failure
       3             Base 64K RAM failure
       4             System timer failure
       5             Processor failure
       6             Keyboard controller gate A20 error
       7             Virtual mode exception error
       8             Display memory R/W test failure
       9             ROM-BIOS checksum failure
These errors are codes reported by the system BIOS. Because the errors are hardware related, you should call your hardware manufacturer or reseller for help in correcting the problem.

The product included here, AMI BIOS, is manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/12/2003
Keywords:KB85636
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.