Beep Codes; Bios Update Utility; Diagnostic Beep Codes - NEC PowerMate VP75 User Manual

Beep Codes

One beep indicates that the computer has completed its power-on self-test. If a long beep or a
series of long beeps occur, power off the computer and try again. If the long beeps
persists, see Table Section 4-5 for the diagnostic beep codes.
The beep codes are announced on the speaker only if a fatal failure is detected. For instance,
three long beeps indicates a failure in the first 64 K of RAM.
Message
Refresh failure
Parity error
Base 64 KB memory failure
Timer not operational
Processor error
8042 – Gate A20 failure
Processor exception interrupt
error
Display memory read/write error
ROM checksum error
CMOS shutdown register
read/write error
Cache error/external cache bad

BIOS UPDATE UTILITY

The system BIOS resides on a flash ROM in the system. The flash ROM can be updated, should
it ever become necessary. This feature allows the ROM BIOS chip to be "flashed" with a new
BIOS code through software, rather than requiring replacement of the chip.
Performing an update is done with a BIOS flash diskette. The diskette, which contains the latest
version of the BIOS code, can be obtained from NEC Technologies. Check the NEC Bulletin
Board Service (BBS) to obtain the latest version of the BIOS Update utility. How to access the
BBS is described next, followed by a procedure for flashing the BIOS.
Table Section 4-5 Diagnostic Beep Codes
Beeps Description of Failure
1 The memory refresh circuitry on the system board is
faulty.
2 Parity error in the first 64 KB of memory.
3 Memory failure in the first 64 KB.
4 Memory failure in the 64 KB of memory or timer 1 on
the system board is not functioning.
5 The CPU on the system board generated an error.
6 The keyboard controller (8042) may be bad. The
BIOS cannot switch to protect mode.
7 The CPU generated an exception interrupt.
8 The system graphics is either missing or its
memory is faulty. This is not a fatal error.
9 ROM checksum value does not match the value
encoded in the BIOS.
10 The shutdown register for CMOS RAM failed.
11 The external cache is faulty.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting 4-11