A BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a built-in sowftware which is stored on a chip of a computer. The main functions of the BIOS is to perform:

1. A power-on self-test (POST) for all of the different hardware components in the system to make sure everything is working properly.

2. It also activates BIOS present in other hardware components like graphics cards and more.

3. Managing a collection of settings for the Hard Disk, clock, etc.

When a computer is turned on, the BIOS does several things.

Below is the usual sequence:

1. Check the CMOS Setup for custom settings

2. Load the interrupt handlers and device drivers

3. Initialize registers and power management

4. Perform the power-on self-test (POST)

5. shows system settings

6. Checks which devices are bootable

7. Initiate the bootstrap sequence

While performing these steps if any errors are occured, the BIOS send the information regarding the errors through series of beeps.

Award Bios


Beep - 1 long beep + 2 short beeps
 Significance - Error in the display system (garphic chart or adaptor)
 Possible Remedy - Check the connection of the graphics board (it may be that it is badly inserted)



Beep - 1 beep Significance - Error of cooling of the RAM
 Possible Remedy - Reinstall the bars of memory. If that persists, changes them or modifies the adjustments of the access report



Beep - 2 beeps 
 Significance - Error in the first 64 KB of memory



Beep - 3 beeps
 Significance - Failing conventional memory



Beep - 5 beeps
 Significance - Error of processor



Beep - 6 beeps
 Significance - Error of keyboard 
 Possible Remedy - Check if no key is inserted (keyboard, mouse) and if all is connected correctly



Beep - 8 beeps
 Significance - Impossible posting
 Possible Remedy - Reintegrate the graphics card or its memory extension. If that persists, change the graphics card.

FRIENDLY BIOS


Beep - 1 beep
 Significance - Error of cooling of the RAM 
Possible Remedy - Reinstall the memory bars. If that persists, change them or modify adjustments of access in memory in the BIOS



Beep - 2 short beeps
 Significance - Error of parity in the first 64 KB of the memory



Beep - 3 short beeps
 Significance - Failure report in the first 64KB



Beep - 4 short beeps
 Significance - Failure report in the first 64KB or Timer failure 
 Possible Remedy - Defective mother board. Change your mother board



Beep - 5 short beeps
 Significance - Error of processor 
 Possible Remedy - Reintegrate the processor



Beep - 6 short beeps
 Significance - Failure of keyboard (circuit 8042) or GateA20 
 Possible Remedy - Change the keyboard or the chip controller keyboard



Beep - 7 short beeps
 Significance - Error of virtual mode 
Possible Remedy - Defective mother board. Change the mother board



Beep - 8 short beeps 
 Significance - The video controller is missing or RAM is defective 
 Possible Remedy - Reintegrate the graphics adapter or its memory extension. If that persists, changes graphics adapter or remove the memory of the adapter if you added some.



Beep - 9 short beeps
 Significance - Error of the ROM of the BIOS
 Possible Remedy - Reintegrate circuit DIP of the BIOS



Beep - 10 short beeps
 Significance - Error of access to memory CMOS
 Possible Remedy - Defective mother board. Change mother board

Beep - 11 short beeps
 Significance - Error of the external hiding place storage Level2
 Possible Remedy - Reintegrate the memory correctly hiding place



Beep - 1 beep long + 2 short beeps 
 Significance - Video error
 Possible Remedy - Reintegrate graphics adapter or its memory of extension. If that persists change graphics board.



Beep - 1 long beep + 3 short beeps
 Significance - Video error
 Possible Remedy - Reintegrate graphics adapter or its memory of extension. If that persists change graphics board.


Phoenix BIOS


Beep - 1-1-3 
Significance - Error of access to memory CMOS



Beep - 1-1-4
 Significance - Failure of ROM BIOS



Beep - 1-3-1
 Significance - Circuit of cooling report



Beep - 1-4-2
 Significance - Error parity in the first 64KB



Beep - 1-3-3
 Significance - Failure report in the first 64KB



Beep - 1-3-4
 Significance - Failure report in the first 64KB



Beep - 3-2-4
 Significance - Controller keyboard (circuit 8042)



Beep - 3-1-1
 Significance - Failure of circuit DMA



Beep - 3-1-2
 Significance - Failure of circuit DMA


Beep - 3-3-4
 Significance - Video controller

Phoenix BIOS v4.0 release 6


Beep - 1-2-2-3
 Significance - Erroneous Checksum BIOS
 Possible Remedy - Change the pile of the BIOS



Beep - 1-3-1-1
 Significance - Cooling DRAM
 Possible Remedy - Put the adjustments of the BIOS on FAIL



Beep - 1-3-1-3
 Significance - Controller keyboard
 Possible Remedy - Change the keyboard



Beep - 1-3-4-1
 Significance - Address first 512KB of DRAM



Beep - 1-3-4-3
 Significance - data of first 512KB of DRAM