Neutron2K's Computing Tutorials

Guide to AMI BIOS Error Beep Codes

Depending on how long you have owned a computer, you have probably heard these. The dreaded error beep codes of when your computer has a hardware problem when you turn it on. Their a pain to track down because each BIOS type has its own set of Error Beep Codes.

The other problem is that when you start hearing beep codes, 90% of the time you will need to open your computer to check the hardware itself. The only time when a beep error code that springs to mind that will not require you to open the computers chassis, is when the CMOS battery temporarily flips and resets your BIOS. You will get a Checksum Error one time (usually) and never heard it again after that.

The aim of this guide is to list some of the known Error Beep Codes Associated with the AMI BIOS chips. For other BIOS guides, check back in the tutorial section. Some will be written soon!

AMI BIOS has a simple set of beep codes. They do not use beep patterns like AWARD BIOS, they just use a set number of beeps to indicate the error. The number of beeps corresponds to the problems listed below:

Beep Code	Problem
1	Refresh Failure The memory refresh Circuitry is faulty.
2	Parity Error Parity error in the Base (1st 64K) of memory
3	64K Base Memory Error Memory error in the base memory (1st 64K)
4	Timer Not Operational Timer 1 is not functioning (also caused by error in base memory)
5	Processor Error CPU error
6	8042 Gate A20 Failure Unable to switch to protected mode
7	Processor Exception Interrupt error The CPU on the CPU card generated an interrupt error
8	Display Memory Read/Write Error Video adapter is missing, incorrectly seated or has faulty memory
9	ROM checksum error The ROM checksum does not match that of the BIOS
10	Coms Shutdown Register Read/Write The shutdown register for coms RAM has failed
11	Cache Memory Bad The cache memory test has failed. Cache memory will be disabled. * DO NOT enable it *

If you come across any other beep codes not listed in this document, please use the contact form to send me an email describing the beep code and the problem.