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A BIOS Error Messages BIOS Front-panel Power LED Blink Codes
The front-panel power LED is used by the BIOS to display messages. For example, the
LED is on when the system is powered on, and blinks off for 0.5 second when
processor initialization is complete. In addition, whenever a recoverable error occurs
during POST, the BIOS causes the front-panel power LED to blink an error message
describing the problem (see Table 8).
Table 8. BIOS Front-panel Power LED Blink Codes
Type Pattern
Processor initialization complete On when system powers up, then off for 0.5 second
POST complete On when system powers up, then off for 0.5 second
BIOS update in progress Off when update begins, then on for 0.5 second, then off
for 0.5 second; pattern repeats until BIOS update is
complete
Video error On-off (0.5 second each) two times, then 3.0 second pause
(off) between on-off blink pattern; repeat entire pattern
(two on-off blinks and pause) until system is powered off
Memory error On-off (0.5 second each) three times, then 3.0 second
pause (off) between on-off blink pattern; repeat entire
pattern (three on-off blinks and 3-second pause) until
system is powered off
Thermal warning On-off (0.5 second each) four times, then 3.0 second
pause (off) between on-off blink pattern; repeat entire
pattern (four on-off blinks and 3-second pause) until 16th
on blink, then end
BIOS Beep Codes
The BIOS beep codes are listed in Table 9. These beep codes can be heard through a
speaker attached to the board’s line out jack (see Figure 2, B on page 14.
Table 9. BIOS Beep Codes
Type Pattern Frequency
Memory error Three long beeps 1280 Hz
Thermal warning Four alternating beeps:
High tone, low tone, high tone, low tone
High tone: 2000 Hz
Low tone: 1600 Hz