3 long beeps when you turn on the computer: possible causes, diagnostics, instructions for fixing the problem and features of the computer

If the user hears 3 long beeps when turning on the computer, this means that the motherboard had a problem before it could send information to the monitor. Thus, a sound signal is a way to report a problem when the computer cannot display the correct error on the screen. This small BIOS lexicon is valid for the vast majority of recent PC models with some nuances of dialects. That's why when you turn on the computer often peeps the internal speaker.

BIOS or POST sequence

The BIOS is responsible for testing and initializing all equipment. This part is also called the self-test sequence (POST) or pre-boot, during which all components will be tested, as well as their compatibility. If POST fails, the system will no longer work and the OS will not start. Monitoring will begin by checking the control of the system bus, and then checking all expansion slots, graphics card memory, and the signals that control the display. He will then test the video cards and add his recognition code. From this moment, the first recordings arrive on the screen.

He will check the RAM, for this he will try to test each memory area, and then compare it with what is recorded in the BIOS. It also checks to see if the keyboard and mouse are well connected, then sends signals to all storage devices (floppy disks, CDs, hard drive, USB) to determine which ones are working. All results are compared on CMOS, which allows the BIOS to know whether the hardware configuration has changed since the last boot or not. Then he will try the tested hardware tests to load into the memory sectors of the main primer on the hard disk, also called MBR. At this stage, there may be many errors that he will try to tell the user about.

Error messages

The BIOS is located in a small chip (EEPROM) on the motherboard and is configured through its own menu to the extent specified by the manufacturer. If the test is successful, the system gives an acoustic confirmation in the form of a short sound signal and transfers control to the installed operating system, for example, Linux or Windows.

During a POST session, a computer has several communication methods: either through flashing indicator lights, a computer speaker, or through a monitor. Since the monitor is not initialized until the end of the process, early malfunctions are indicated by a red or missing status indicator, for example, indicators of power and hard drive activity, as well as sound signals, for example, when you turn on the computer beeps 3 times if there is a memory failure.

When an error occurs during POST, the BIOS usually displays a visual warning and a description of the failure. However, if it is detected before the PC video card is initialized, a sequence of signals corresponding to a certain error sounds through the internal speaker, i.e., a system code is used. Depending on the BIOS used on the motherboard, the codes and their meaning are different from each other.

On-Screen Diagnostics

If the computer is still starting up, BIOS information is displayed briefly on the screen. Those who can’t quickly read the data before finding out why the system unit squeaks when the computer is turned on, need to find out the BIOS version while the computer is running:

1. Click "Start", then "Run."
2. In the text box in the "Run" window, enter msinfo32 and click OK. This will open the System Information program. When system information opens, a summary of it will be displayed by default.

If the computer does not start, you can remove its side panel and find the BIOS chip with the manufacturer’s data or go to the PC manufacturer’s website with the model number and find out more information about the BIOS version and decryption of sound codes.

Signal Diagnostics

Finding out the reasons why when you turn on the computer squeaks 3 times, it takes the user from 10 to 15 minutes. Correcting a fixed problem is a different task and may take from several minutes to several hours, depending on what caused it.

Sequencing:

1. Turn on the computer or restart it if it is already on.
2. Listen carefully to the sound codes, restart the computer if the user does not have time to hear, and listen again.
3. Remember the nature of the sound signals.
4. It is important to pay attention to their number and length, it is as important as in Morse code, and will help determine the PC problem. If the user makes a mistake, he will try to solve an unnecessary task, ignoring the real problem.
5. Then you need to find out which company made the BIOS chip, which is located on the motherboard of the computer.

Unfortunately, the computer industry has not established a single way to communicate with sound signals.

If the user cannot find the necessary information, you can open the computer and see the real BIOS chip on the motherboard, on which the name of the company will be indicated.

AMI Trouble Codes (AMIBIOS)

If the computer gives 3 long beeps when the computer is turned on, an inexperienced user begins to stress. Although often this problem is solvable.

Each time the BIOS starts, it checks all devices installed on the PC. The BIOS is a kind of small operating program that controls the basic functions of a PC. If it detects an error, it will alert the user using appropriate screen messages and sound signals, protecting the PC from damage, and will block Windows from starting until the user corrects the error.

AMI (American Megatrends International) BIOS uses sound signals of the same pitch. The error corresponds to the number of signals.

Faults Phoenix BIOS Code

Phoenix BIOS is the BIOS of Phoenix Technologies. Most modern motherboard manufacturers have integrated them into their systems. Many popular motherboards have several custom Phoenix BIOS implementations. Phoenix BIOS sound codes are short, sound quickly and immediately, for example, 3 long beeps when you turn on the computer.

The meaning of the codes:

1. One beep from the Phoenix-based BIOS is actually a “all systems” notification. Technically, this indicates that the Power On Self Test is complete. No troubleshooting required.
2. One short beep, followed by one long beep, is also not an officially registered Phoenix beep, but sometimes this is due to poor memory, and after replacing the problem will be fixed.
3. One long followed by two short beeps indicates a checksum error. This means that there is a problem with the motherboard.

Audio Decoding

When the computer starts the upper left of the screen and it happens too quickly, you must press the Pause or Del or F8 key immediately after starting to enter the BIOS. The BIOS manufacturer is displayed on the monitor screen. In most cases, the BIOS comes from Award, Phoenix, or AMI.

If there is no seller’s instructions, you can find the most common audio signals of a particular BIOS on the Internet. This information will teach the user what to do if the computer beeps when turned on. If it emits sound signals that are not indicated there, their meaning is indicated in the manual for the motherboard.

When the PC beeps, you can turn off the PC, wait a few seconds, and turn it on again. Often sound signals disappear on their own. Possible black screen problems when the computer beeps when turned on 3 times, long signals:

1. Hardware problems: dead motherboard, connecting a video card to check the tablecloth of the hard drive. You can remove the battery from the motherboard, wait 5 minutes, then turn it on and try again.
2. There may also be a serious virus that damaged windows, in which case, experts advise placing the hard drive on another computer and scanning with antivirus and anti-spyware software.

Graphics Card and RAM Failure

The most common errors reported by Beep Codes are video card and random access memory (RAM) errors. Sometimes it helps to remove this failure simply by removing and reinstalling the graphics card. You can try to completely remove one if the computer is equipped with several slots.

Unfortunately, not all errors are always output through sound codes. For example, if you start a computer that has power (the LEDs light up, and the disks create familiar noises), but there is no screen output and no sound signal from the motherboard is heard, then the power source may be malfunctioning. If one of the secondary power outputs (5 volts) is faulty, then the computer will not be able to report them using sound codes, since there is no power on the internal speaker.

Short sounds: CMOS issue

Each time the computer turns on, it quickly scans the status of the basic functions of the machine and emits one beep: everything is in order. And if 2 short - the CMOS problem. CMOS is the memory that stores the first elements that the OS will load.

If 2 signals are received, there is confusion in this memory and you need to clear it to restore the factory settings. To do this, you must remove the battery from the motherboard, then return it or move the CMOS jumper.

4 long beeps: RAM updates poorly. To reset, you need to clear the BIOS (CF: 2 short beeps: Clear CMOS).

5 long - processor. You need to make sure that it is connected and the fan is working. Continuous short beeps - Bios tells you that energy is not enough to work. Check the power cables on the motherboard, otherwise you will need to install a new unit.

POST Diagnostic Cards

Another fix for 3 long beeps when you turn on the computer is to buy a POST diagnostic card to intercept POST errors in their source via the ISA or PCI bus. Cards are available for any bus and usually contain one or two digital indicators that represent codes, as well as LEDs to control power. Since POST codes are more numerous than sound codes, there can be 10 sound codes and up to 256 POST codes, a diagnostic card will help you monitor the POST progress and see more detailed information about what caused the failure or warning.

An ISA card is preferred since it is possible that the PCI card may not report all POST codes. Since the ISA bus is initialized first, the PCI only receives the codes created after ISA initialization. In addition, ISA connects to the South Bridge chip, so damaged motherboards will not be able to send codes to the PCI bus at all.

Correction of the problem due to internal components:

1. Verify that the recent hardware recently added to the computer, such as additional memory or a video card, is installed correctly.
2. Turn off the computer, then remove and reinsert the equipment, verify that each component is firmly inserted into the slot.
3. Remove new internal equipment. If the computer starts without a component, it may be malfunctioning or incompatible with the PC.
4. Remove and reinsert all internal connectors and cards, including memory, but not the processor. If several memory cards are installed on the computer, delete each one in turn.
5. Disconnect all internal devices, including hard drives, expansion cards, optical drives.
6. If the computer starts without connected internal devices, one of them may be malfunctioning. Connect each device one by one to determine which one is malfunctioning.

Post error message

If the BIOS encounters a problem, but does not load long enough to display the POST error message on the monitor, instead a signal will sound - a version of the error message, for example, like 3 long signals when you turn on the computer. Nevertheless, the signal may not be associated with system failures, and it must be able to be distinguished in order to correct the problem.

Elimination of off-system sound signals:

1. Check the keyboard to make sure there are no jammed keys and no keys are held. Slide your fingers on the keyboard to release any buttons that might be stuck. If liquid has been spilled on it, replace it with a new one. Try starting the computer after completing this and each of the following steps.
2. Check all cables connected to the computer and make sure they are fully connected.
3. Remove all objects blocking the ventilation openings of the computer. If dust accumulates in any vent, clean them from dust.
4. Disconnect external devices such as printers, USB drives and hubs, remote receivers, and drives.
5. If the computer starts without connecting additional devices, one of these components may be malfunctioning. Connect them one at a time to determine which device is malfunctioning.

No signal sound

If the user makes unsuccessful attempts to start the computer and does not see error messages and does not hear any sound codes, it could still be a system failure. Most likely, the absence of a signal means that the computer does not have an internal speaker, so the user will not hear anything, even if the BIOS produces sound. In these cases, the best solution to find out what is wrong is to use the POST test card to view the error message in digital form.

Another reason you cannot hear a beep when you start the computer is because of a poor power source. The lack of voltage on the motherboard also means its absence on the internal speaker, which makes sound signals impossible.

Tips & Warnings

Knowing the values ​​of the bit codes and even detecting problems when the computer’s power supply is beeping when turned on does not mean that the computer will start soon. , . , .

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