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Error Messages and Error Codes
The BIOS indicates the current testing phase during POST by writing a hex code to I/O location 80H. If errors
are encountered, error messages or codes will either be displayed to the video screen, or if an error has
occurred prior to video initialization, errors will be reported through a series of audio beep codes.
POST Error Messages
Memory BIOS Messages
Message Displayed
Gete 20 Error
Multi-Bit ECC Error
Parity Error
Boot BIOS Messages
Message Displayed
Boot Failure...
Invalid Boot Diskette
Drive Not Ready
A: Drive Error
B: Drive Error
Insert BOOT diskette in A:
Reboot and Select proper
Boot device or Insert Boot
Media in selected Boot
device
NO ROM BASIC
Storage Device BIOS Messages
Message Displayed
Primary Master Hard Disk
Error
Primary Slave Hard Disk
Error
Chapter 4
The BIOS is unable to properly control the motherboard's Gate A20 function,
which controls access of memory over 1 MB. This may indicate a problem with
the motherboard.
This message will only occur on systems using ECC enabled memory modules.
ECC memory has the ability to correct single-bit errors that may occur from
faulty memory modules.
A multiple bit corruption of memory has occurred, and the ECC memory
algorithm cannot correct it. This may indicate a defective memory module.
Fatal Memory Parity Error. System halts after displaying this message.
This is a generic message indicating the BIOS could not boot from a particular
device. This message is usually followed by other information concerning the
device.
A diskette was found in the drive, but it is not configured as a bootable diskette.
The BIOS was unable to access the drive because it indicated it was not ready
for data transfer. This is often reported by drives when no media is present.
The BIOS attempted to configure the A: drive during POST, but was unable to
properly configure the device. This may be due to a bad cable or faulty diskette
drive.
The BIOS attempted to configure the B: drive during POST, but was unable to
properly configure the device. This may be due to a bad cable or faulty diskette
drive.
The BIOS attempted to boot from the A: drive, but could not find a proper boot
diskette.
BIOS could not find a bootable device in the system and/or removable media
drive does not contain media.
This message occurs on some systems when no bootable device can be
detected.
The IDE/ATAPI device configured as Primary Master could not be properly
initialized by the BIOS. This message is typically displayed when the BIOS is
trying to detect and configure IDE/ATAPI devices in POST.
The IDE/ATAPI device configured as Primary Slave could not be properly
initialized by the BIOS. This message is typically displayed when the BIOS is
trying to detect and configure IDE/ATAPI devices in POST.
Description
Description
Description
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Table of Contents
Troubleshooting
