Beep Codes

If you system begins to start up but doesn't finish, it may display a numeric code on the screen. This list gives the meanings of those codes. If you don't get any video at all but get beeped at, see the beep codes. If you have video but no unusual beeps or error codes, then it is usually hard drive related (either bad or needs to have the system put back on it), although it can also be a sign of a bad mainboard (this can be tested by removing the HD).

These codes are fairly standardized, but not universal - they should be used as a basis for beginning troubleshooting. They are not enough by themselves to provide a diagnosis. Consult a qualified technitian if you have any questions or before doing anything rash... Some likely sources of failures are given in parantheses; These are the most likely and intended for those that aren't sure what the given meaning means.

Error Code Meaning
02x Power supply failure
100 Incorrect CMOS or jumper/DIP setting
101 Interrupt circuitry failure (bad mainboard)
102 Timer failure (bad mainboard)
103 Interrupt timer failure (bad mainboard)
104 Protected mode failure (bad mainboard)
105 8042 failure (bad mainboard)
106 Converting logic failure (bad mainboard)
107 NMI failure (bad mainboard or card)
108 System timer bus failure (bad mainboard)
109 DMA failure (bad mainboard or card)
121 Unexpected hardware interrupt (bad mainboard or card)
131 Cassette port failure (only on _old_ systems)
161 Incorrect CMOS or jumper/DIP setting
162 Incorrect CMOS or jumper/DIP setting
163 Time/Date incorrect (low battery)
164 Memory size mismatch
199 100 Incorrect jumper/DIP setting
2xx RAM failure
xxxx=201 RAM failure
x055=201 Incorrect jumper/DIP setting
301 Keyboard failure
302 Keyboard locked or failure
303 Keyboard failure
304 Keyboard failure; CMOS mismatch
400-431 Video failure
432 Parallel port failure
5xx Video failure
6xx Disk drive failure
7xx Math co-processor failure
9xx Printer port or printer failure
991 CMOS mismatch, Run setup
10xx Printer port or printer failure
11xx Serial port failure
12xx Serial port failure
13xx Game port (joystick) failure
14xx Printer port or printer failure
15xx UART failure (related to serial ports)
16xx Display emulation failure
17xx Hard drive/controller failure
1780 Hard drive 0 failure
1781 Hard drive 1 failure
1790 Hard drive 0 failure
1791 Hard drive 1 failure
18xx IO expansion failure

Error Code	Meaning
02x	Power supply failure
100	Incorrect CMOS or jumper/DIP setting
101	Interrupt circuitry failure (bad mainboard)
102	Timer failure (bad mainboard)
103	Interrupt timer failure (bad mainboard)
104	Protected mode failure (bad mainboard)
105	8042 failure (bad mainboard)
106	Converting logic failure (bad mainboard)
107	NMI failure (bad mainboard or card)
108	System timer bus failure (bad mainboard)
109	DMA failure (bad mainboard or card)
121	Unexpected hardware interrupt (bad mainboard or card)
131	Cassette port failure (only on _old_ systems)
161	Incorrect CMOS or jumper/DIP setting
162	Incorrect CMOS or jumper/DIP setting
163	Time/Date incorrect (low battery)
164	Memory size mismatch
199 100	Incorrect jumper/DIP setting
2xx	RAM failure
xxxx=201	RAM failure
x055=201	Incorrect jumper/DIP setting
301	Keyboard failure
302	Keyboard locked or failure
303	Keyboard failure
304	Keyboard failure; CMOS mismatch
400-431	Video failure
432	Parallel port failure
5xx	Video failure
6xx	Disk drive failure
7xx	Math co-processor failure
9xx	Printer port or printer failure
991	CMOS mismatch, Run setup
10xx	Printer port or printer failure
11xx	Serial port failure
12xx	Serial port failure
13xx	Game port (joystick) failure
14xx	Printer port or printer failure
15xx	UART failure (related to serial ports)
16xx	Display emulation failure
17xx	Hard drive/controller failure
1780	Hard drive 0 failure
1781	Hard drive 1 failure
1790	Hard drive 0 failure
1791	Hard drive 1 failure
18xx	IO expansion failure