Chapter 4 AMIBIOS POST
80
Beep Codes
Fatal errors, listed below, are communicated through a series of audible beeps. All errors except
Beep Code 8 are fatal. Fatal errors halt the boot process.
In most cases, displayed errors allow the system to continue. AMIBIOS displayed errors are
described on page 81.
Beeps
Error message
Description
1
Refresh Failure
The memory refresh circuitry on the motherboard
is faulty.
2
Parity Error
A parity error was detected in the base memory
(the first 64 KB block) of memory.
3
Base 64 KB Memory
Failure
Memory failure in first 64 KB.
4
Timer Not Operational
A memory failure occurred within the first 64 KB
of memory. Or Timer 1 on the motherboard is not
functioning.
5
Processor error
The CPU generated an error.
6
8042 - Gate A20 Failure
Gate A20 on the keyboard controller (8042)
allows the CPU to operate in protected mode. The
BIOS is not able to switch the CPU to protected
mode.
7
Processor Exception
Interrupt Error
The CPU generated an exception interrupt.
8
Display Memory
Read/Write Error
The system video adapter is either missing or its
memory is faulty. This is not a fatal error.
9
ROM Checksum Error
The ROM checksum does not match the value
encoded in the BIOS.
10
CMOS Shutdown
Register Read/Write
Error
The shutdown register for CMOS RAM failed.
11
Cache memory bad —
do not enable cache
The cache memory test failed. Cache memory is
disabled.