Beeps

[Aminahcc]

How do I interpret the "beeps" when troubleshooting the system... I have "inherited" an Old Gateway 2000, and it gives me three beeps, twice, and no screen info (post?)?

[Rick]

From the gateway site support page.

Step 1: Analyze the Beeps

If you know what kind of BIOS you have (if it was made by AMI or Award, for example), count the number of beeps and in what order they appear (one long - two short, or one short, one long). Then check the BIOS manufacturer's web site to find information on what the beeps mean.

[Rick]

People wonder why I don’t care for gateway..
I Have always disliked the idea of getting the run around .
A Manufacturer should support what they Build their systems with.
To Include error messages and the needed drivers..

To find the Bios type you have installed.
Open the case and look for the bios chipset.

Look for the more common names AMI, Phoenix and Award.
Then you have a starting point to find the meaning of the beeps

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 05-12-2002).]

[Aminahcc]

Thank-you, it took some doing, it's a Phoenix and from what I understand the beeps mean it encountered a checksum error, does that mean I need to replace my battery? or is this a graver problem? Because it's a Phoenix, it is also difficult to identify it's mobo manufacturer. The numbers/words on the bios itself are:

Phoenix BIOS
A466
M3174423

If anyone out there has an old Gateway 2000 with similar BIOS may I inquire of assistance? Or refer to some good links for look-up, want to build this for my 4 year old.

[Rick]

The check sum error is a miss match between the saved info in the Cmos and the hardware installed.
A New battery may cure this If it is the only problem.

Here is a Link to the Bios codes for the Phoenix bios http://www.phoenix.com/pcuser/PDF-Files/bios-postcode.pdf
it’s not of much use in this case. it doesn’t show 3 beeps then 3 beeps..

You said it

and no screen info (post?)?

is it displaying anything at all or is the monitor blank?

[Aminahcc]

At the moment... nothing is coming up onto the screen,

it beeps like this...

beep pause beep beep
pause
beep pause beep beep

and, if reading this correctly, is a 1-2 message which in Phoenix 4.0 is
"98h 1-2 Search for option ROMs, one long, two short beeps on checksum error."

[Rick]

The option rom it is not finding is the Video
Have you check the video card for proper mounting?
Is it seated correctly in the slot?

Is it an onboard video controller ? ( Built into the mother board)
If onboard video does it have a jumper to enable/disable ?

Do you see any other markings on the system case to identify the Model of the system beyond the gateway 2000?
Gateway has used a lot of different mother boards over the years.
Unfortunately Mother board cop and not identify a mother board by the Bios when it involves a Phoenix bios

Here is a link to the Mother boards used in the past by gateway http://www.gateway.com/support/manlib/cmponts/sysboard/sysboard.shtml

If you check the Mother board for identification (chipset) manufacturers name or model numbers
you will be able to narrow the search for the correct manual for that board.

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 05-13-2002).]