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Beep Codes
Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies
a problem. One possible beep code (code 1-3-1) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This beep code tells you that the computer
encountered a memory problem.
If your computer beeps during start-up:
1. Write down the beep codes.
2. Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause.
3. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
No memory modules are detected.
l If you have one memory module installed, reinstall it and restart the computer. See "Memory"
for instructions on how to remove and install memory modules.
l If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module,
and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module.
Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error.
l If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer.
l If the problem persists, contact Dell.
Memory modules are detected, but
a memory configuration or
compatibility error exists.
l Ensure that no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements exist.
l Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your computer (see
"Memory").
l If the problem persists, contact Dell.
Other failure has occurred.
l Ensure that the cables are properly connected to the system board from the hard drive, CD
drive, and DVD drive.
l Check the computer message that appears on your monitor screen.
l If the problem persists, contact Dell.
The computer is in a normal
operating condition after POST.
None.
Code
Cause
1-1-2
Microprocessor register failure
1-1-3
NVRAM read/write failure
1-1-4
ROM BIOS checksum failure
1-2-1
Programmable interval timer failure
1-2-2
DMA initialization failure
1-2-3
DMA page register read/write failure
1-3
Video Memory Test failure
1-3-1 through 2-4-4
Memory not being properly identified or used
3-1-1
Slave DMA register failure
3-1-2
Master DMA register failure
3-1-3
Master interrupt mask register failure
3-1-4
Slave interrupt mask register failure
3-2-2
Interrupt vector loading failure
3-2-4
Keyboard Controller Test failure
3-3-1
NVRAM power loss
3-3-2
Invalid NVRAM configuration
3-3-4
Video Memory Test failure
3-4-1
Screen initialization failure
3-4-2
Screen retrace failure
3-4-3
Search for video ROM failure
4-2-1
No timer tick
4-2-2
Shutdown failure
4-2-3
Gate A20 failure
4-2-4
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode
4-3-1
Memory failure above address 0FFFFh
4-3-3
Timer-chip counter 2 failure
4-3-4
Time-of-day clock stopped
4-4-1
Serial or parallel port test failure