Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Beep codes

A: Note: Beep codes are used for assisting in troubleshooting the computer. If unsure of what to do upon receiving a particular beep code, please contact Gateway Technical Support for assistance.

When a recoverable error occurs during the power-on self-test (POST), the BIOS displays an error message describing the issue. The BIOS also issues a beep code, one long tone followed by two short tones, during POST if the video configuration fails–a faulty video card or no card installed–or if an external ROM module does not properly checksum to zero.

An external ROM module, for example, a video BIOS, can also issue audible errors, usually consisting of one long tone followed by a series of short tones. For more information on the beep codes issued, check the documentation for that external device.

There are several POST routines that issue a POST terminal error and shut down the computer if they fail. Before shutting down the computer, the terminal-error handler issues a beep code signifying the test point error, writes the error to I/O port 80h, attempts to initialize the video and writes the error in the upper-left corner of the screen, using both monochrome and color adapters.

If POST completes normally, the BIOS issues one short beep before passing control to the operating system.

Beep Codes
Beep Description
1 Refresh failure
2 Parity cannot be reset
3 First 64 KB memory failure
4 Timer not operational
5 Not used
6 8042 GateA20 cannot be toggled
7 Exception interrupt error
8 Display memory R/W error
9 Not used
10 CMOS shutdown register test error
11 Invalid BIOS, for example, POST module not found, and so forth