Each of us, when turning on the computer, heard the characteristic squeak that it makes at the very beginning of loading. As a rule, we all hear only a single signal. Why? It means that everything is fine with the PC.

This phenomenon is called BIOS POST signals, they are designed to notify the user about what is happening with the computer. Therefore, if something goes wrong, you will hear not one, but several characteristic squeaks emitted by the built-in speaker of the system unit.

It turns out that each combination of such “squeaks” has its own meaning and directly indicates what is wrong with your equipment. Therefore, if you are faced with the fact that your computer beeps when you turn it on, and does not do it the way it always does, do not panic.

BIOS uses POST signals to inform the user about the state of the personal computer

The information below will help you understand what happened and what part needs to be checked to restore the device to working order.

The way your computer beeps directly depends on which company you have the BIOS system. If you don't know the manufacturer's name, this information is available on the first screen when you turn it on - usually it's AMI, Award, or Phoenix. In extreme cases, the name can be seen by directly going to the BIOS menu itself.

So, if you know which manufacturer your BIOS is from, let's move on to deciphering the sounds emitted by the component and find out how many times it beeps in a given situation.

What do the sounds mean if I have an AMI BIOS?

When your PC turns on, you may hear the following sounds:

Short:

• 1 - everything is normal.
• 2 - you did not turn off the printer/scanner or a RAM parity error occurred.
• 3 - error in the first 64 KB of RAM.
• 4 - You need to set the time in the BIOS or the Windows system itself.
• 5 - processor problems.
• 6 - problems with the input tool.
• 7 - problems with the mother card.
• 8 - problems in the memory of the video adapter.
• 9 - BIOS checksum is incorrect.
• 10 - problems with writing to CMOS
• 11 - the cache located on the system board contains errors.

Combinations of long and short sounds:

• 1 long, 1 short - problems with the power supply.
• 1/2 - Mono-CGA video adapter error.
• 1/3 - problem with the EGA-VGA video card.
• 1/4 - no video card.
• 1/8 - video card or display is not connected.

Other meanings:

1. When you hear three long beeps, the RAM text was completed incorrectly. It needs to be reinstalled, if it doesn’t help, replace it.
2. The computer beeps with short beeps and does not turn on, does this situation continue continuously? Check the power supply - it is not working or the PC is overheated. Although, often one reason is directly related to another, so most likely you will have to replace this part in order to avoid equipment breakdown.
3. If the system unit is silent, the screen does not light up, it means that the processor has broken down or, at best, its contact pin has come off - check it first, and then run to buy a new component, because it costs a lot.

Decoding POST combinations of the Phoenix system

During switching on, this manufacturer produces sounds several times in a combination of three signals, with pauses between them. Therefore, we will provide the transcript in this form - for example, 1.1.2 means one signal, pause, another one, pause, two signals.

Also, endless long sounds make it clear that the mother card is broken, and when loud and quiet POST signals alternate in a similar way to a siren, this indicates a failure of the video card. In a situation where the computer beeps constantly, you should check the CPU cooler - it is missing or it is broken.

Sound meanings in Award BIOS

There won't be much transcript here. The main BIOS POST signals that can be heard in a system from this manufacturer are the following:

• 2 short “squeaks” are not scary, because they mean minor problems. As a rule, after them you will be asked to use the CMOS Setup Utility application to eliminate all troubles. We also advise you to check whether the hard drive is securely attached to the motherboard.
• Long beeps that sound three times indicate problems with the input tool.
• Combinations:
• A long and short sound indicates a RAM error.
• A long and two short beeps indicate a problem in the video card, and another short beep is added - in the video memory.
• If a long signal is heard, followed by nine short signals, there is a problem in reading data from the ROM.
• Repeated short beeps indicate incorrect operation of the power supply or RAM.
• Repeated long sounds when turned on indicate problems with RAM.
• If the frequencies change from high to low notes, there is a problem with the processor.
• A continuous beeping indicates a problem with the power supply.

So we learned how to decipher BIOS sound signals. Use this data to always be able to understand what is going on with your computer and what part needs to be checked, repaired, or even replaced. As you can see, the technology is smart enough to independently give you a signal about which component is out of order, and such tips will definitely be useful for quickly solving the problem.