If POST is successful, then you'll normally hear a single loud beep, and you'll see the POST screen or BIOS logo, and your system will boot normally.

However if you receive more than one loud beep and you get no display and your PC does not boot, then POST has failed, and the beeps indicate at what stage POST has failed.

 

Below are the AMI BIOS Beep codes that can occur. However, because of the wide variety of different computer manufacturers with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

1 short - DRAM refresh failure

2 short - Parity circuit failure

3 short - Base 64K RAM failure

4 short - System timer failure

5 short - Process failure

6 short - Keyboard controller Gate A20 error

7 short - Virtual mode exception error

8 short - Display memory Read/Write test failure

9 short - ROM BIOS checksum failure

10 short - CMOS shutdown Read/Write error

11 short - Cache Memory error

1 long, 3 short - Conventional/Extended memory failure

1 long, 8 short - Display/Retrace test failed

For a detailed listing of AMI BIOS error codes (if your board has an LED display) and beep codes, refer to this PDF file:

For newer AMI Aptio EFI BIOS, refer to this PDF file:

Below are Award BIOS Beep codes that can occur. However, because of the wide variety of different computer manufacturers with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

1 long, 2 short - Indicates a video error has occurred and the BIOS cannot initialize the video screen to display any additional information

Any other beep(s) - RAM problem.

If any other correctable hardware issues, the BIOS will display a message.

For more info on Award BIOS error messages and codes, look here:

On recent MSI boards, (and those from other manufacturers using AMIBIOS) as well as a single loud beep to indicate successful POST, you'll also hear some lower tone beeps. This is just the BIOS notifying you of USB devices connected as it looks for bootable USB devices, and input devices such as keyboards and mice. The number of beeps will change depending on how many USB devices you have connected. If you see the POST screen / BIOS logo and your system boots as normal, then you do not have a problem!

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