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This question was answered on August 22, 1999. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

Your profile indicates a HP computer. When HP turn on they will indicate errors during the startup POST(power on self test), by beeping. Below you will find further HP information regarding these errors:

HP Pavilion PCs - Error or Beep Codes

Introduction

Errors can occur during POST (Power On Self-Test), which is performed every time that you turn on your system. Each time that the computer is turned on, the POST checks the following:

System motherboard

Memory

Keyboard

Certain peripheral devices

POST

The POST is operating while the HP Logo is being displayed. There will be three potential results of POST:

POST does not detect any errors; the system beeps once and starts up Microsoft (R) Windows.

Errors that do not prevent the startup process (non-fatal errors) display a message that looks similar to the following:

ERROR Message Line 1

ERROR Message Line 2

At this time, you can note the error and press ESC to resume the startup process or F1 to enter the Setup program.

Errors that prevent the startup process from continuing (fatal errors) are communicated by a series of audible beeps. If this type of error occurs, refer to the BIOS Error Messages and Beep Codes sections that follow.

For most displayed error messages, there is only one message. If a second message appears, it is "RUN SETUP". If this message occurs, press F1 to run BIOS Setup.

This document explains BIOS error codes and beep codes for the HP Pavilion PC Model x4xx Series.

BIOS error messages

Error Messages

Explanation

8042 Gate - A20 Error

Gate A20 on the keyboard controller (8042) is not working. Replace the 8042.

Address Line Short!

Error in the address-decoding circuitry on the motherboard

Cache Memory Bad, Do Not Enable Cache!

Cache memory is defective. Replace it.

CH-2 Timer Error

Most AT systems include two timers. There is an error in timer 2.

CMOS Battery State Low

CMOS RAM is powered by a battery. The battery power is low. Replace the battery.

CMOS Checksum Failure

After CMOS RAM values are saved, a checksum value is generated for error checking. The previous value is different from the current value. Run BIOS Setup.

CMOS System Options Not Set

The values stored in CMOS RAM are either corrupt or nonexistent. Run Setup.

CMOS Display Type Mismatch

The video type in CMOS RAM does not match the type detected by the BIOS. Run BIOS Setup.

CMOS Memory Size Mismatch

The amount of memory on the motherboard is different than the amount in CMOS RAM. Run BIOS Setup.

CMOS Time and Date Not Set

Run Standard CMOS Setup to set the date and time in CMOS RAM.

Diskette Boot Failure

The boot disk in floppy drive A: is corrupt. It cannot be used to boot the system. Use another boot disk and follow the onscreen instructions.

Display Switch Not Proper

Some systems require a video switch on the motherboard to be set to either color or monochrome. Turn the system off, set the switch, and then power on.

DMA Error

Error in the DMA controller

DMA #1 Error

Error in the first DMA channel

DMA #2 Error

Error in the second DMA channel

FDD Controller Failure

The BIOS cannot communicate with the floppy disk drive controller. Check all appropriate connections after the system is powered down.

HDD Controller Failure

The BIOS cannot communicate with the hard disk drive controller. Check all appropriate connections after the system is powered down.

INTR #1 Error

Interrupt channel 1 failed POST

INTR #2 Error

Interrupt channel 2 failed POST

Invalid Boot Diskette

The BIOS can read the disk in floppy drive A: but cannot boot the system. Use another boot disk.

Keyboard Is Locked...Unlock It

The keyboard lock on the system is engaged. The system must be unlocked to continue.

Keyboard Error

There is a timing problem with the keyboard. Set the Keyboard option in Standard CMOS Setup to Not Installed to skip the keyboard POST routines.

KB/Interface Error

There is an error in the keyboard connector.

Off Board Parity Error

Parity error in memory installed in an expansion slot. The format is:

OFF BOARD PARITY ERROR ADDR (HEX) = (XXXX)

XXXX is the hex address where the error occurred.

On Board Parity Error

Parity is not supported on this product; this error will not occur.

Parity Error

Parity error in system memory at an unknown address

Beep codes

Beeps

Error Message

Description

Refresh Failure

The memory refresh circuitry on the motherboard is faulty.

Parity Error

Parity is not supported on this product (and will not occur).

Base 64 kilobytes (KB) Memory Failure

Memory failure in the first 64 KB, or Monitor not plugged in.

Timer Not Operational

Memory failure in the first 64 KB of memory, or Timer 1 on the motherboard is not functioning.

Processor Error

The CPU on the motherboard generated an error.

8042 - Gate A20 Failure

The keyboard controller (8042) may be bad. The BIOS cannot switch to protected mode.

Processor Exception Interrupt Error

The CPU generated an exception interrupt.

Display Memory Read/Write Error

The system video adapter is either missing, or its memory is faulty. This is not a fatal error.

ROM Checksum Error

ROM checksum value does not match the value encoded in BIOS.

CMOS Shutdown Register Read/Write Error

The shutdown register for CMOS RAM failed.

Cache Error/External Cache Bad

The external cache is faulty.

Microsoft (R) is a U.S. registered trademark of

Microsoft Corp.

Windows (R) and MS Windows (R) are U.S.

registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

This information is subject to change without notice and

is provided "as is" with no warranty.

Hewlett-Packard shall not be liable for any direct,

indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages

in connection with the use of this material.

What do beeps on startup mean on my Hewlett Packard?

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