POST Error Messages

Post Beep Codes

In the event of a detected hardware failure or configuration issue that prevents boot, GLaBIOS will beep a series of notes alternating between short and long beeps.

Long	Short	Error	Action
1	2	CPU register test failure	Suspect CPU or motherboard
1	3	CPU instruction test failed	""
1	4	Build is V20 but not detected	V20 not installed. Replace with the 8088 version of GLaBIOS ROM
2	2	System BIOS ROM checksum error	Suspect ROM/EPROM/EEPROM chip
2	3	PIT counter 1 test failed	Suspect 8253/8254, not installed or incompatible chipset
2	4	DMA register test failed	Suspect 8237A, not installed or incompatible chipset
2	5	PIC test register failed	Suspect 8259A, not installed or incompatible chipset
2	5	PIC test interrupt failed	""
3	1	Base RAM (0-16KB) read/write error	First 16 KiB of memory is bad (cannot continue boot)
4	1	Base RAM (0-16KB) parity error	""
3	3	Error loading video adapter ROM	Motherboard SW1 for custom/other video card but not installed or video adapter's ROM failed to load.

Post Error Messages

These error may be displayed on screen, and do not prevent the computer from booting. Note: the error codes will be summed together if there are multiple.

Code	Message	PC/XT	Error	Action
4000	KB	301	Keyboard Controller Error	Keyboard lock is on or suspect motherboard
2000	Key	301	Key stuck or reset failed	Suspect keyboard
1000	FDC	601	Floppy Controller Error	Suspect floppy controller, or not installed
0800	FDD	601	Floppy Drive Seek Error	Suspect floppy drive, or not installed
0400	DMA	101	DMA TC0 error	Suspect 8237A, DMA not installed or incompatible chipset. **see note
0200	RAM	201	Memory error	Suspect bad RAM. Failed chip can be identified using address and bit indicator on screen

** This could also happen if the DMA controller does not complete at least one counter cycle before memory test is complete, which may occur if there is a very small amount of memory installed (64KB or less). This test is disabled by default on the 5150 for this reason.