89
5 Error Messages and Beep Codes
What This Chapter Contains
5.1 BIOS Error Messages................................................................................................ 89
5.2 Port 80h POST Codes............................................................................................... 91
5.3 Bus Initialization Checkpoints .................................................................................... 95
5.4 Speaker..................................................................................................................... 96
5.5 BIOS Beep Codes ..................................................................................................... 97
5.1 BIOS Error Messages
Table 58 lists the error messages and provides a brief description of each.
Table 58. BIOS Error Messages
Error Message Explanation
GA20 Error An error occurred with Gate-A20 when switching to protected
mode during the memory test.
Pri Master HDD Error
Pri Slave HDD Error
Sec Master HDD Error
Sec Slave HDD Error
Could not read sector from corresponding drive.
Pri Master Drive - ATAPI Incompatible
Pri Slave Drive - ATAPI Incompatible
Sec Master Drive - ATAPI Incompatible
Sec Slave Drive - ATAPI Incompatible
Corresponding drive is not an ATAPI device. Run Setup to make
sure device is selected correctly.
Cache Memory Bad An error occurred when testing L2 cache. Cache memory may be
bad.
CMOS Battery Low The battery may be losing power. Replace the battery soon.
CMOS Display Type Wrong The display type is different than what has been stored in CMOS.
Check Setup to make sure type is correct.
CMOS Checksum Bad The CMOS checksum is incorrect. CMOS memory may have
been corrupted. Run Setup to reset values.
CMOS Settings Wrong CMOS values are not the same as the last boot. These values
have either been corrupted or the battery has failed.
CMOS Date/Time Not Set The time and/or date values stored in CMOS are invalid. Run
Setup to set correct values.
DMA Error Error during read/write test of DMA controller.
HDC Failure Error occurred trying to access hard disk controller.
continued