Today we will talk about the situation when the computer, when turned on, emits 1 long, possibly repeating signal after some time, and does not display anything on the screen.

In this situation, there are clearly problems with the equipment. Depending on model motherboard and BIOS manufacturer 1 long signal can mean various problems.

Phoenix BIOS thus notifies the user about a fan failure in the CPU cooler. In Award BIOS, such a combination indicates problems with the power supply. And for Compaq BIOS this means a violation of the correct functioning of RAM.

The IBM BIOS notifies you of video system problems with one long beep. In some cases, the user can fix such a breakdown on his own. You just need to check how correctly the video card is positioned in the motherboard slot. Perhaps the device needs to be adjusted a little, and the annoying signal will disappear.

AST BIOS in this case indicates a breakdown of the microcontroller. More precisely, the signal indicates an error detected when checking the first DMA channel. Often, to correct this situation, the user has to change the entire motherboard.

Remedies

So, the first thing to do to solve this problem is to try to remove and install the RAM, after wiping its contacts with an eraser. Ideally, take another known working memory and insert it in place of your own.

One of possible reasons given sequence of signals - RAM

If after this the problem does not go away, check whether the processor fan is connected to the motherboard properly and whether it is jammed. To do this, try scrolling it with your finger. The computer must be de-energized.

Checking that the CPU cooler is connected correctly

The next step in eliminating one long BIOS signal is to install a known working power supply, which you can temporarily borrow from friends or acquaintances.

The power supply is one of the possible reasons for 1 long BIOS signal

The last step in trying to eliminate the long BIOS signal during boot is to try to remove/install the video card by wiping the contacts with an eraser.

Installing/removing a video card to solve the problem of one short and two long BIOS signals when turning on the computer

If after all the described steps you are unable to start your computer, then most likely you will have to replace the entire motherboard.

Not everyone will think about what they mean BIOS beeps when we press the PC power button. It is the BIOS that causes such sounds, which can be short or long. Different types BIOSes have different sound signals, in this article I will try to talk about them all, as well as solve some of the problems that accompany them.

Purpose of BIOS beeps

When you turn on your computer, you hear a squeaking sound. Usually it is short and comes out of the speaker located inside the system unit. Such a signal does not bode well and indicates that the program has successfully diagnosed the POST self-test, which is responsible for checking components for serviceability. If everything is fine, this will be the signal.

On some PC models, you may not hear anything at all, but this is only thanks to the manufacturer, who did not build a speaker into the computer. Unfortunately, the absence of a speaker is not a good solution, since it will not be possible to determine a malfunction, for example, of a video card.

If some kind of malfunction occurs, you will hear a sound when you turn on the computer. There may be several of them, and they may be long, depending on what is faulty. Usually the instructions already contain all the necessary information about BIOS signals, but if you don’t already have this manual, then read this article and perhaps you will find a definition of certain BIOS signals.

Recommendation! If you decide to look inside system unit, for example, to check the presence of a speaker, be sure to turn off the power to the PC, and do not try it immediately, but a few minutes after turning it off.

How can I find out who made the BIOS?

In this section, I will show you how to find out who made your motherboard BIOS firmware. You need to know this, because in different models, sound signals indicate different violations.

First option

The simplest thing you can do is turn on the PC and for a couple of seconds you will notice a window in which the BIOS manufacturer and some other parameters are already indicated. The most popular manufacturers are AMI And AWARD. There are, of course, others.

Second option

To do this, you need to find an item that shows information about the computer and the BIOS firmware itself. Usually the tab is called System Information.

Third option

Boot into Windows andOpen the window "Run" using keys Win+R. Enter the command there msinfo32. On the left you should be in the section "System Information". On the right we look at the point "BIOS version».

Fourth option

You can also use various utilities, for example, AIDA64 or CPU-Z. Free CPU-Z program has a tab "Pay", where you go. There is a subsection "BIOS" and all the necessary information about it.

Using the AIDA64 program, go to the section "Motherboard" on the left and click on the item there "BIOS", all information about Bios will be listed there.

How to decipher BIOS beeps?

So, we figured out the BIOS manufacturer, now I will show the designation of beeps, but only for a few versions.

BIOS AMI beeps

One of the most famous companies American Megatrends Inc. Abbreviated as AMI BIOS. In 2002 it was already such. So, the normal beep is a short sound. It means that everything is fine, after which the OS will begin loading. Now let's look at other sounds.

Sometimes the sounds are false; if you turn off the PC again and then turn it on, there is a possibility that such a signal will no longer appear. If you hear more than one short sound, but ones like those shown in the table, then you need to solve the problem.

Sound signals AWARD

The next popular manufacturer is AWARD. Let's consider its sound signals. Then someday I’ll write about all the existing types of BIOS, and also recommend a book in which everything is described in great detail.

The normal sound signal, indicating the serviceability of all computer components, is still the same as in the first option - a short signal. The remaining sounds are listed in the table below.

Phoenix beeps

In this type of BIOS, sounds are accompanied by pauses, that is, if 1 sound is heard, then there is a pause, then another sound, and another pause, and then two sounds, then the signal is recorded in the form of these very sequences of pauses and sounds - 1-1-2 . Now I will show this in the table.

This is interesting:

The most common BIOS beeps

Of course, there are many more sound sequences for different types of BIOS, and there would be much more tables here. Therefore, I decided to consider the most popular signals that most users encounter.

• 1 long and 2 short sounds– usually this signal indicates problems with the video card. Check whether the video card is inserted well into its slot, also do not forget that due to dust and dirt there may be problems with connecting devices, so it is better to clean everything. Take out the video cards, wipe the contact tracks with an eraser, and do it very carefully. Then put it back in. If the difficulty persists, then you can try inserting the video card into another slot or switching to the built-in one, provided that it is on the motherboard. It's about about integrated.

• 1 long sound- indicates a problem with the RAM.

• 3 short sounds– Again errors in the random access memory device. There is the following option - remove the RAM modules and clean the contacts, as well as the slots from dust and dirt, swap them, replace them with other RAM modules. Alternatively, you can reset the BIOS.

• 5 short sounds– this signal indicates a processor malfunction. It is possible that you purchased a new processor that is not compatible with your motherboard. Also check all contacts and clean any dust.

• 4 long sounds– the signal indicates problems with the cooling system, that is, with coolers. Perhaps they are completely faulty or work slowly. There are two options: clean them from dust, or change them.

• 1 long + 2 short sounds– a malfunction of the video card or from the RAM connectors.

• 1 long + 3 short sounds– may also indicate problems with the video card and RAM, or something with the keyboard. We'll have to check everything.

• 2 short sounds– I can’t say for sure, check your documentation. There may be a problem with the RAM.

• Several short sounds– just count how many sounds and see if such a combination is in the table.

• No PC boot or BIOS sound– if there is no sound, then most likely you do not have a speaker, or it is faulty. If the computer does not boot, check the power supply.

Tips for troubleshooting problems with your computer emitting BIOS beeps

I almost never had any components fail, and sound signals appeared only due to poor contact of some components. For example, the RAM modules or video card were inserted poorly. Sometimes something just went wrong and simply restarting the computer helps. Sometimes it can help in solving problems altogether.

I want to say that I don't knowledgeable people you should not take any action. If you have friends who can help, then contact them, or go to the service.

1. Sometimes you can correct the situation like this: remove some component and wipe its contact from dust, and also blow out the connector. Then put everything back in. You can clean the contacts with alcohol and a dry cloth or an eraser.
2. Look at all the components and elements located inside the system unit. Is there a smell of burnt components, swollen capacitors, oxide and other bad phenomena?
3. Before you climb inside the system unit, disconnect it from the power supply, and also remove static electricity from yourself. You can simply touch the power supply itself with your hands.
4. Do not touch the board pins.
5. Never use metal tools to clean modules.
6. Assess the situation before starting work. Your computer is under warranty, but you don’t even have work experience? Then give it back under warranty, or ask a knowledgeable friend to help.

Please ask any questions in the comments. I hope this article helped you in solving your problems.

Compared to other BIOS manufacturers' beep sounds, BIOS AMI beep sounds are more varied. In most cases, these beeps allow you to identify a malfunction during the computer boot stage and the POST hardware test procedure. Typically, all you need to do to determine which component is causing the problem is to count the number of beeps emitted by the system speaker.

Below are the beeps produced by the BIOS AMI. In all cases, the number of signals and their type (long/short) are indicated.

• No signals

This situation is perhaps the most unpleasant that a user can encounter. As a rule, it means that power is not supplied to the motherboard or the BIOS is generally faulty. No power to the motherboard usually means either a faulty/broken power cable or a faulty computer power supply.

• One short

A single short signal is the same signal that all users are accustomed to hearing every time they start their PC. It means that no errors or problems were detected during the hardware check, and the computer can continue to boot.

• Long continuous

This signal means that the PC power supply is faulty. However, unlike the situation with complete absence signals, in this case power is supplied to the motherboard, but its parameters do not correspond to the nominal.

• Two short

This signal indicates an error in the RAM. This error may indicate either a malfunction of the memory modules themselves, or simply that one of the modules is poorly inserted into the slot.

• Three short

This type of signal also indicates an error in the RAM. But this error is quite specific and rarely encountered - it is an error in the first 64 KB of RAM.

• Four short

This signal indicates a system timer malfunction. Fortunately, similar look malfunctions are rare, but not uncommon the only way The solution is to replace the entire motherboard.

• Five short

In a similar way, the BIOS informs the user about a malfunction of the heart of the personal computer - the central processor. However, this malfunction may not always be associated with a defect in the processor chip itself. Often, to fix the problem, it is enough to check that the processor is securely installed in the socket.

• Six short

This message indicates that the keyboard controller is faulty or that the keyboard itself is missing. Very often for correction similar situation It is enough to check the contact in the keyboard connector on the system unit.

• Seven short

Such a set of sounds indicates a rather serious malfunction - namely, a failure of the system board. However, sometimes the error may disappear after checking the power cable contacts on the motherboard.

• Eight short

BIOS message indicating video memory failure. But here, as with many other errors, sometimes the problem may simply be poor contact - in this case, between the motherboard slot and the video card.

• Nine short

In this case, the BIOS signals a BIOS memory checksum error. The reasons for this phenomenon may be different - an error in new version BIOS or random CMOS memory failure. Often the problem can be fixed by flashing the BIOS.

• Ten short

With this set of signals, the BIOS reports an error in writing to CMOS memory. As a rule, this error is more serious than the previous one and often requires the intervention of a specialist from a service workshop.

• Eleven short

• One long, then two, three or eight short

This type of informational message tells the user that there are video card errors. Typically, such sound signals are only generated when using old video cards (Mono/CGA/EGA), so the chance of encountering them is currently extremely small. In most cases, this malfunction can be eliminated by carefully installing the video card in the connector.

Greetings to all readers of the IT Country website. In this article I want to tell you about BIOS sound signals. If your computer has a built-in speaker, you will hear a single beep when you restart or turn on the computer. It tells us that the computer components are working properly and the POST system did not reveal any problems. But it often happens that if with , then it starts making BIOS sounds.

Many users do not know what they mean and take the computer to the workshop. We will try to figure out on our own what the BIOS is beeping about and identify the cause of the malfunction. Since different motherboards have different basic input/output systems, first you need to determine which motherboard is on your computer. But everything is in order.

As I said above, we need BIOS sound signals in order to find out which component of the computer is faulty. As a rule, if it works properly, then when turned on we hear one short signal. Such signals are produced by a special speaker connected to the computer motherboard.

Note! Your computer may not make any beeps if there is no speaker physically connected to the motherboard. The absence of a speaker on many boards is most likely because the manufacturer is trying to make the production of their product as cheap as possible.

Many of you have probably already asked the question: “What are the risks for me of using a computer without a speaker?” It would seem like such a small thing that is not needed at all if the computer is working, but many people start thinking about it when the computer breaks down. In this case, if a speaker is connected, the computer will emit a special beep or series of beeps in a specific sequence. To decipher such signals, you can refer to the motherboard manual. But as a rule, this book either does not exist, or nothing in it is clear to many of us. Therefore, below we will look at how to decipher BIOS sound signals. But first you need to determine its manufacturer.

To decipher BIOS beeps, you need to know the manufacturer. Since different motherboards had different basic input/output systems installed. You can find out this information different ways. For example, when you turn on your computer, you see a black screen with data about your hard drives. On this screen, as a rule, the BIOS version and manufacturer are indicated at the top.

If the necessary information is quickly replaced by another, and you do not have time to see everything, then you need to press the “Pause” key. If, when you turn on your computer, you see a screensaver from the motherboard manufacturer, you need to press the “Tab” key to remove it.

The next way to find out the version of the basic input/output system is to log into it. To do this, when you turn on the computer, press the “Del”, “F1”, “F2” or other key. Depending on the . After that, find the System Information section and look at the BIOS version and manufacturer.

Another way, which is quite simple, to find out the BIOS version and manufacturer is to look using the “System Information” utility. To do this, press the hotkey combination “Windows + R”, and in the “Run” command window that opens, type “MSINFO32”. A window with system information will open, in which we look at the line “BIOS version”

Finally, we will find out the version of the basic input/output system through the “CPU-Z” program.

We have already used it more than once in previous articles. Therefore, we launch the program, go to the board tab and look at the BIOS information.

Decoding BIOS signals.

Once we were able to determine the BIOS manufacturer. You and I need to move on to deciphering the signals.

AMI BIOS (American Megatrends Inc.) is probably the most famous manufacturer of BIOS for motherboards. If during the self-test, POST does not detect any problems, you will hear a single short beep. After it, the operating system will immediately begin loading. If you hear other signals, then you should be wary, listen and decipher them.

Below is a table with a breakdown of AMI BIOS sound signals.

As a rule, if the computer starts beeping, sometimes a simple reboot or turning off the power to the system unit for a while helps. If this does not solve the problem, then at the end of the article I will tell you how to deal with the main malfunctions.

If you have a motherboard with this BIOS version, then it is characterized by special sounds. Which look like this. For example, the code 1-1-4 would sound like one pip, pause, another pip, pause again, and then four pips. This sound will indicate an incorrect BIOS ROM checksum. To decipher BIOS beeps on a motherboard with Phoenix BIOS, see the table below.

Another popular manufacturer of BIOS for motherboards. It is installed on many motherboards. Its display interface is classic and has not undergone any changes. global changes within 10 years.

The sound signals are somewhat similar to the AMI BIOS. Therefore, it will not be difficult for you to decipher them. The table is presented below.

The most common BIOS sounds and what they mean.

I propose to consider the most common sound signals that we can hear when there is a problem with a computer.

• A long, single BIOS sound when you turn on the computer most often indicates problems with RAM;
• One long and two short - if you hear such a signal, then there is a high probability that there are problems with the video adapter. To begin with, just pull it out and clean the contacts. For example, an eraser will do. Also clean your computer from dust if you haven’t done this for a long time;
• One long and three short signals - this signal configuration indicates problems with the video card, RAM or keyboard;
• Three short beeps often indicate problems with the RAM. To solve the problem yourself, remove the memory module from the connector and clean it. If there are several memory modules, try starting the computer first with one, then with two, and so on;
• Five short BIOS signals tell us that it is faulty CPU. If you hear these beeps after installing a new CPU, it may be misaligned with the motherboard or you may have done something wrong. If the processor has not been changed, then perhaps it has failed or there is no contact in some place;
• Four long beeps - often tell us that the speed of the cooler cooling the processor is low;
• There are no signals, the computer does not turn on - most likely you have a problem with the power supply. Replace it with a good one.

Let's summarize.

Today we looked at BIOS sound signals. As a rule, if when you turn on your computer you hear a whole serenade from your computer instead of the usual single squeak, then you now know that you need to decipher the signals. In most cases, you can solve the problem yourself. Very often the problem is solved after cleaning the contacts of the computer components or by simply rebooting and de-energizing the system.

It often happens that even an experienced system administrator forgets BIOS codes and signals (especially since new motherboards are already equipped with UEFI), let alone a non-professional. And knowing the signals will help you quickly, and in everyday cases, often free of charge, solve the problem with a computer or laptop that won’t start.

This is what BIOS chips from AWARD AMI and Phoenix look like.

By the way, for reference: BIOS is Basic Input-Output system or in Russian speaking, a basic input-output system. In other words, this is a low-level program that is tightly built into the chip of your computer's motherboard. The BIOS loads when you turn on the computer and is responsible for initializing its hardware components, checking their functionality and startup correctly. Then, the bootloader program starts, launching the operating system Windows system, Linux or whatever you have installed there...

Here we need to make a small digression and tell you that the signals of this very BIOS may differ depending on the manufacturer. Let's look at the most popular options, there will be three of them - AMI BIOS, AWARD BIOS, Phoenix BIOS.

Below the cut is a table describing BIOS errors.

AMI BIOS beeps

In all versions of AMI BIOS, the successful completion of self-test is one short beep, after which the installed OS is loaded. I indicated other AMI BIOS sound signals in the table:

AWARD BIOS beeps

With the correct post-test signal, everything here is the same as in the previous version - one short sound AWARD signal BIOS means everything is OK.

The remaining signals are slightly different - look at the table:

Phoenix BIOS beeps

The third version of signals from Phoenix. BIOS from this manufacturer is becoming increasingly rare, but still.

Here it must be said that with him everything is not the same as with the previous two. Yes, yes, the guys decided to show off and do something different from everyone else; their signals are not double, but triple. In practice, this only means that, for example, a signal about problems with power supply to the video card will look like three short beeps, a pause, three short beeps, a pause, then 4 short beeps. In the table I will write them as 3-3-4. So, let's go...

Error codes from Phoenix:

I would just like to add that in case of self-repair of a PC or laptop always disconnect it from the power supply and only then you can calmly climb inside, armed with a screwdriver and other necessary tools.

In the next article I will talk about UEFI. What is it, why did she come to us and other interesting points.

P.S. In some cases with memory errors, it helps to remove the memory sticks from the slots, wipe the contacts of the RAM boards with a regular soft eraser, and the memory is back in service! If the memory is not burned out but simply malfunctions, then you can also try swapping the boards with RAM in places across banks, provided that the memory itself that you are swapping is the same.

P.P.S. At the end of this article I simply post tables of codes for three BIOSes in the form of pictures. They can be used as a cheat sheet and saved to your phone, tablet or computer.

Cheat sheets describing BIOS signals for printing

It seems that I wrote everything I wanted to write. I tried clearly and without water, as always. If you have any questions, I answer in the comments.

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