COMPUTER BIOS CHECKING

BIOS

Issue:

When booting computer I receive several beeps.

Cause:

This can be caused by one following possibilities:

1. Keyboard has a stuck key.
2. Computer has a password.
3. System Chassis alarm.
4. Computer does not pass POST.

Solution:

Keyboard has a stuck key

A stuck key or a keyboard that has failed can cause the computer to beep abnormally. 

• Turn off the computer and temporarily disconnect the computer keyboard and turn on the computer. If the beeping does not occur when the computer keyboard is disconnected it is likely that a key is stuck or that the keyboard is bad. Slapping the back of a keyboard to dislodge any dust, dirt, or hair may help ensure there are no stuck keys on the keyboard.

Computer has a password

Some computers have the capability of having a BIOS keyboard password. This password will sometimes cause the computer to beep and the keyboard not to work. To determine if this is the case look at the keyboard LEDs (Num Lock / Caps Lock / Scroll Lock) if these are flashing continuously the computer has a password.

System Chassis alarm

A beeping or buzzing tone can also be caused by the system chassis alarm also known as the intruder alarm when the system case is removed. Verify that the beeping or buzzing noise does not also occur when the computer is off. If this is the case attempt to remove and cover of the case and then put the case back on.

Computer does not pass POST

The more likely possibility of abnormal beeping is when the computer does not pass the POST (Power On Self Test). When the computer fails this test it will sound a 'Beep Code' indicating what caused it to not pass the POST.

• See document CH000607 for additional steps in troubleshooting issues related to the POST.
• If you're getting a continuous beep or a beep that does not stop and no display see document CH000995 for additional steps in troubleshooting this issue.

Additional information:

• If you're getting beeps but no other sounds and are attempting to troubleshoot issues with your sound see document CH000208.
• If your getting any other strange noises from your computer see document CH000302.

Issue:

Error BIOS ROM CHECKSUM - SYSTEM HALTED.

Cause:

Bad Hardware

Solution:

This unfortunately indicates that your computer BIOS ROM chip and/or Motherboard is physically bad. It is recommended that you contact your computer manufacturer or take the computer into local service center.

Question:

How to check the BIOS manufactured date?

Answer:

You can do this generally one of two ways.

1. Enter the computer CMOS / BIOS and the date may be listed at the top or bottom of the first screen.
2. Do the below to determine the BIOS date with a debug routine:
   
   At the C:\> type debug

- d FFFF:5 L 8

After typing the above command you should receive a string similar to:

FFFF:0000       30 34 2F-33 30 2F 39 38        4/30/98

The 4/30/98 would be the date of your computer BIOS.

Question:

How to clear an unknown BIOS password.

Answer:

If you have mistakenly forgot or lost your BIOS password or you receive a password at boot that you do not know, you will need to clear the BIOS password by one of the below methods.
Precaution: When inside the computer please be sure of the potential of ESD.

• Try using generic BIOS passwords. A complete listing of these passwords can be found on document CH000451.
• There are utilities designed to help bypass BIOS passwords. An example of a great utility to decrypt / bypass BIOS passwords is the PC BIOS Security and Maintenance toolkit, which is available by clicking here.
• On the computer motherboard locate the BIOS clear / password jumper or dipswitch and change its position. Once this jumper has been changed, turn on the computer and the password should be cleared. Once cleared, turn the computer off and return the jumper or dipswitch to its original position. 

The location of the jumpers or dipswitches may vary; however, here are general locations where these jumpers / dipswitch may be located.

1. On the edge of the motherboard - Most jumpers are located on the side of the motherboard for easy accessibility, verify by looking at all visible edges of the motherboard.
2. By the CMOS battery - Some manufactures will place the jumper to clear the CMOS / BIOS password by the actual CMOS battery.
3. By the processor - Some manufactures will place the jumpers by the processor of the computer. However, note that in some cases these jumpers will be to change the processor and not the password.
4. Under the keyboard or bottom of laptop - If you are working on a laptop computer the location of the dipswitch (almost never a jumper) can be under the keyboard or on the bottom of the laptop in a compartment such as the memory compartment.
5. Other visible location - While it is possible that the jumpers / dipswitches may not be in a visible location, most manufactures try to make things easier by placing the jumpers / dipswitches in another visible location.

Additionally, when looking for the jumper / dipswitch the label of that switch can be anything; however, in most cases will be labeled CLEAR - CLEAR CMOS - CLR - CLRPWD - PASSWD - PASSWORD - PWD.

• On the computer motherboard locate and remove the CMOS battery for at least 10 minutes allowing the computer to lose its information. Note: this will not work on all computers.
• If your manufacturer has a bypass password this can be entered and allow you access to the BIOS and/or computer. Because of the security risk of a bypass password, generally only older computers will have this option. In addition, it is likely that this information will only be able to be obtained from the computer, motherboard or BIOS manufacturer.
• On the computer motherboard locate the CMOS solder beads and jump the solder beads to clear the password. The identification and location of these solder beads can vary and if not available in computer documentation is generally only obtainable through the computer manufacturer.

If one of the above solutions do not clear the password or you are unable to locate the jumpers or solder beads, it is recommended you contact the computer manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer  for the steps on clearing the computer password.

Question:

How can I reset CMOS / BIOS settings?

Answer:

If your computer is having issues booting, has errors during boot, after adding hardware is running into issues, and/or you're having other abnormal system behaviors that cannot be resolved though any other method it may be necessary to reset the CMOS settings and/or load the default or fail-safe defaults. To do this follow the below steps.

Load / Reset defaults

1. Enter CMOS setup, additional information about entering CMOS setup can be found on document CH000192.
2. In CMOS setup look for an option to reset the CMOS values to the default setting or an option to load the fail-safe defaults. With many CMOS setup screens there will be a function key to do this; for example, the F6, F11, or F12 key. Other setups may actually list an option that you can arrow over to using the arrow keys and press Enter.
3. When found and selected you'll likely be asked if you're sure you wish to load the defaults press Y for yes or arrow to the yes option.

Reset Configuration Data

In addition to restoring the system defaults if you've recently added new hardware or resetting the default values did not help resolve your boot issues you may also want to reset the configuration data. Below are some examples of how this can be done. Keep in mind that unfortunately all CMOS screens are different and these instructions may not be exact steps for your CMOS.
Under advanced

If you're working on a computer with a Phoenix BIOS that has Main - Advanced - Security - .... across the top of the screen you can get to this setting by using the right arrow to move over to Advanced and under Advanced arrow down to Reset Configuration Data and changing the value from Disabled or No to Enabled or Yes.

Once the above has been done press the F10 key and save and exit CMOS setup.

In PnP/PCI Configurations

If you're working with a Phoenix BIOS that has several different options and one of them is PnP/PCI Configuration move the cursor down to this option and press Enter. Within the PnP/PCI Configurations change the Reset Configuration Data from Disabled to Enabled.

Once the above has been done press the F10 key and save and exit CMOS setup.

Additional Information:

• See our BIOS and CMOS dictionary definitions for additional information and related links about these terms.