Table of Contents
Advertisement
5. BIOS Reference
5.1 POST Message
When the BIOS encounters an error that requires the user to correct something, either a beep code will sound
or a message will be displayed in a box in the middle of the screen and the message PRESS F1 TO
CONTINUE, CTRL-ALT-ESC OR DEL TO ENTER SETUP will be shown in the information box at the
bottom.
POST Beep
Currently there is only one beep code in BIOS. This code indicates that a video error has occurred and the
BIOS cannot initialize the video screen to display any additional information. This beep code consists of a
single long beep followed by two short beeps.
Error Messages
One or more of the following messages may be displayed if the BIOS detects an error during the POST.
This list includes messages for both the ISA and the EISA BIOS.
CMOS BATTERY HAS FAILED
CMOS battery is no longer functional. It should be replaced.
CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR
Checksum of CMOS is incorrect. This can indicate that CMOS has become corrupt. This error may have
been caused by a weak battery. Check the battery and replace if necessary.
DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER
No boot device was found. Insert a system disk into Drive A: and press <Enter>. If you assumed the system
would boot from the hard drive, make sure the controller is inserted correctly and all cables are properly
attached. Also be sure the disk is formatted as a boot device. Then reboot the system.
DISKETTE DRIVES OR TYPES MISMATCH ERROR - RUN SETUP
Type of diskette drive installed in the system is different from the CMOS definition. Run Setup to
reconfigure the drive type correctly.
DISPLAY SWITCH IS SET INCORRECTLY
Display switch on the motherboard can be set to either monochrome or color. This indicates the switch is
set to a different setting than indicated in Setup. Determine which setting is correct, and then either turn off
the system and change the jumper, or enter Setup and change the VIDEO selection.
DISPLAY TYPE HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST BOOT
38
Advertisement
Table of Contents
