So you’re trying to load Windows on your laptop or desktop PC. However, it won’t start and it gives off two beeps before freezing or turning off on startup. How do you fix this issue?
If you hear two beeps on startup, how you fix it will depend on what sort of issue you’re facing. Different beeps mean different things. It also depends on which beeps you’ve heard. Are they two short beeps or two short beeps after a long beep?
Different motherboard brands offer different meanings behind the 2 beeps. So in order to know how to fix 2 beeps on startup, you need proper a diagnosis first.
How to Fix 2 Beeps on Startup
It depends on what the 2 beeps mean. It could be a bad RAM or memory card, bad keyboard controller, bad display adapter, bad video card, and a bad RAM IC.
Fixing them also varies from unseating, cleaning, then reseating them on their slot to make them work or replacing them if they’re beyond the point of saving. You might even have to reload BIOS if required. Every fix comes on a case-by-case basis.
What 2 Beeps on Startup Means on Different Motherboards
Different motherboards offer different reasons behind their beeps. To properly troubleshoot them, you need to know what type of motherboard you have first. Look at the manual or open the PC/laptop to see the brand name yourself physically.
AMI (American Megatrends)
- 2 Short: The first 64KB of RAM has a parity circuit failure. One of the hardware tests might have failed or you have a bad RAM IC.
Mylex
- 2 Beeps: The first 64KB of RAM has a parity circuit failure. One of the hardware tests might have failed or you have a bad RAM IC.
Award
Most Award BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) type motherboards use on-screen errors instead of beep codes.
- 1 Long 2 Short: Your video card is improperly seated or bad.
- Repeating Beeps: Your RAM is improperly seated or bad.
Quadtel BIOS
- 2 Short: CMOS IC error because CMOS RAM is faulty. Replace IC if possible.
- 1 Long 2 Short: Faulty video adapter. Reseat it or replace if possible.
IBM Desktop
- 2 Short: POST Error (should be displayed on the monitor).
- 1 Long 1 Short: System board issues.
- 1 Long 2 Short: Problem with display adapter (MDA, CGA).
IBM ThinkPad
- 2 Short with Message: Read the displayed error message.
- 2 Short with Blank Display: System board has failed.
- 1 Long 2 Short: LCD assembly, video adapter, or system board failure.
Compaq
- 2 Short: General error. No specifics available.
- 1 Long 2 Short: Video error. Check the seating of the video adapter or replace it in case of failure.
- 1 Long 1 Short: BIOS ROM checksum error. The contents of the BIOS ROM don’t match the expected content, so reload the BIOS from the PAQ to troubleshoot.
AST BIOS
- 2 Short: The keyboard controller has failed, resulting in keyboard controller buffer failure.
- 1 Long 2 Short: The video adapter has probably failed, resulting in video vertical retrace error. Replace video adapter.
- 1 Long 1 Short: DMA controller 1 failure. Replace the IC if possible because the DMA controller IC for channel 1 has failed.
Q&A
What does 2 beeps mean when I turn on my computer?
2 Beeps – Parity Error
Reseat/replace memory, troubleshoot motherboard.
How do I fix two short beeps?
2 Short Beeps
This problem affects the first 64 KB block of memory in your RAM. Like all RAM problems, this isn’t something you’ll be able to fix yourself or get repaired. Replacing the RAM modules that cause the problem is almost always the fix.
When you power on a computer you hear two beeps and the computer never completely boots?
A computer will beep and refuse to boot if new hardware is installed incorrectly. The hardware may be incompatible with the motherboard if it is correctly installed and still creating POST errors. For example, Intel boards beep twice in POST if the CPU is incompatible.
How do I stop 2 beeps on startup Lenovo?
Power off with the seven to ten second power button holding. And put jumper back into two plus three
What are two beeps motherboard?
2 Beeps – Parity ErrorReseat/replace memory, troubleshoot motherboard.
What is the problem if you hear 1 long beep 2 short beeps?
AMI (American Megatrends)
| Beeps | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 long, 2 short | Video system failure: Error in video card BIOS, or a horizontal retrace has failed |
| 1 long, 3 short | Conventional/Extended memory failure: RAM is bad |
| 1 long, 8 short | Display/Retrace test failed: Video adapter is defective or missing |
How do you reset the BIOS?
Reset the BIOS to Default Settings (BIOS)
- Access the BIOS Setup utility. See Accessing BIOS.
- Press the F9 key to automatically load the factory default settings.
- Confirm the changes by highlighting OK, then press Enter.
- To save the changes and exit the BIOS Setup utility, press the F10 key.
Why is my PC beeping when I turn it on?
If you’re hearing two beeps, then that means your RAM isn’t working as it should. Three beeps that repeat after a pause when you turn on your computer indicate a problem with the system memory. However, if your PC is beeping continuously, then it simply means the processor is affected.
How do you fix a bad CPU?
Let’s go over the steps on how to fix high CPU usage in Windows* 10.
- Reboot. First step: save your work and restart your PC.
- End or Restart Processes. Open the Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESCAPE).
- Update Drivers.
- Scan for Malware.
- Power Options.
- Find Specific Guidance Online.
- Reinstalling Windows.
What does 2 beeps mean on a Lenovo computer?
No monitor or a failing video signal can cause any of the following beep error codes: (2-2-2, 1 long/1 short, 1 long/2 short, 2 long/2 short). This normally signifies that monitor or video adapter is not cabled correctly, or is damaged.
Why is my Lenovo PC beeping?
Solution. Pressing multiple keys on the keyboard at the same time may cause the laptop to beep. This is a symptom of a condition Lenovo refers to as “Unmanageable Key Combinations”. It occurs because there are too many inputs coming in from the keyboard at the same time.
What do you do when your computer beeps and wont turn on?
Common and Easily Fixed Beeping Computer Problems
- Check the keyboard to ensure that there are no stuck keys and no keys are being held down.
- Check all cables connected to the computer and make sure they are fully plugged in.
- Remove any objects blocking the computer’s air vents.
What are the beep codes of computer?
BIOS beep codes for IBM
| 1x short | No errors detected during the self-test |
|---|---|
| No beep | Power supply/system board/processor error; often related to power supply |
| Continuous beep | Power supply/system board/keyboard problem |
| Repeated short beeps | Power supply or system board problem |
| 1x long, 1x short | System board problem |
In Short
When starting or booting up your PC, it typically does a Power-On Self-Test or POST. If while booting it finds any problems on the BIOS level, you can diagnose them using error codes or error beeps. Some have on-screen codes while others depend on beeps for diagnosis.
References:
- “If your computer beeps and fails to boot“, University Information Technology Services, May 23, 2022