IBM Support

Troubleshooting POST beeps

Troubleshooting


Problem

POST beep and no beep error codes for the IBM IntelliStation

Resolving The Problem

This document is intended for trained servicers who are familiar with IBM Personal Computer products. Use this document along with advanced diagnostic tests to troubleshoot problems effectively. Before servicing an IBM product, be sure to review the safety information. Click here to review safety information.

Beep symptoms are short tones or a series of short tones separated by pauses (intervals without sound). See the following examples.

Beep symptoms
Beeps Description
1-2-X One beep
A pause (or break)
Two beeps
A pause (or break)
Any number of beeps
4 Four continuous beeps

Beep Symptom FRU/Action
1-1-3
CMOS read/write error
  1. Run Setup
  2. System board
1-1-4
ROM BIOS check error 		System board
1-2-X
DMA error 		System board
1-3-X
  1. Memory module
  2. System board
1-4-4
  1. Keyboard
  2. System board
1-4-X
Error detected in first 64 KB of RAM.
  1. Memory module
  2. System board
2-1-1, 2-1-2
  1. Run Setup
  2. System board
2-1-X
First 64 KB of RAM failed.
  1. Memory module
  2. System board
2-2-2
  1. Video adapter (if installed)
  2. System board
2-2-X
First 64 KB of RAM failed.
  1. Memory module
  2. System board
2-3-X
  1. Memory module
  2. System board
2-4-X
  1. Run Setup
  2. Memory module
  3. System board
3-1-X
DMA register failed. 		System board
3-2-4
Keyboard controller failed.
  1. System board
  2. Keyboard
3-3-4
Screen initialization failed.
  1. Video adapter (if installed)
  2. System board
  3. Display
3-4-1
Screen retrace test detected an error.
  1. Video adapter (if installed)
  2. System board
  3. Display
3-4-2
POST is searching for video ROM.
  1. Video adapter (if installed)
  2. System board
4
  1. Video adapter (if installed)
  2. System board
All other beep code sequences. System board
One long and one short beep during POST.
Base 640 KB memory error or shadow RAM error.
  1. Memory module
  2. System board
One long beep and two or three short beeps during POST. (Video error)
  1. Video adapter (if installed)
  2. System board
Three short beeps during POST.
  1. See System board memory.
  2. System board
Continuous beep. System board
Repeating short beeps.
  1. Keyboard stuck key?
  2. Keyboard cable
  3. System board

No beep symptoms
Symptom/Error FRU/Action
No beep during POST but computer works correctly. 1. System board
No beep during POST. 1. See Undetermined Problem.
2. System board
3. Memory module
4. Any Adapter or Device
5. Riser Card
6. Power Cord
7. Power Supply

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Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

IntelliStation Pro:All operating systems listed

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Document Information

Modified date:
28 January 2019

UID

ibm1GSMH-3F5L63

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