Weird beep code from GA-Z68X-UD4-B3 BIOS

[Hagroth]

So, to make a long story short: When I first tried to install the OS and everything, I got the question whether I wanted to use XHD for my hard drives. It had a countdown that, once it reached "8", made the computer reset. I don't get that question anymore, so my computer doesn't have any problems anymore. But I still get the same beep code I've always had:

I installed Windows 7 and everything and it all works fine. I've done some video editing and there are no problems at all, simply because I don't get the question about XHD anymore (because I said "No"), and there was something that caused it to reset when the countdown for the question reached "8". However, I still get the weird beep code when booting:

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNHoM6I5zYM

Thanks in advance!

[Aussie Allan]

  Beep code not audible in the video....can you describe it in words.....short.....long......what combination?

  Aussie Allan

[Dark Mantis]

Your youtube video doesn't let the sound be heard but I notice that the title mentions that all your lights come on, well that is the correct thing. They should illuminate all the LEDs which should go out as POST progresses. This is normal.

What beep do you get on starting ? It should be just a single short beep at the end of POST to indicate that everything has passed.

[Hagroth]

You can hear it, just use earphones because it's barely audible. The first beep is at 0:03:90, the last one is at about 0:07:50.

It goes like this ("-": longer pause, they're all short):

dark light light - light - light light

Keep in mind that the fourth signal (the single one in the middle), isn't audible. You can kind of hear it if you really concentrate, but I know it's there since I've heard it in real life of course. It's always the same beep code, and Gigabyte support didn't have a clue, and Phoenix or Award BIOS don't seem to have their own customer support.

[Aussie Allan]

  One...... do you have a buzzer installed.....and 2.....when I said describe......is it 2 short and 1 long........3 short and one long?

  Aussie Allan

[Dark Mantis]

Normally any beep code that is out of the ordinary means a memory problem, so if you go on that assumption try removing all the modules bar one in the first slot and see if that makes any difference.

[teknology9]

Hi,


If it is memory why not run memtest just to verify this, 10 passes per module and then take it from there.



Teknology9

[Dark Mantis]

Yes that is another option of course as teknology9 suggests. Make sure that you run Memtest with the modules singly, one at a time for ten full loops/cycles.

[Hagroth]

  One...... do you have a buzzer installed.....and 2.....when I said describe......is it 2 short and 1 long........3 short and one long?

  Aussie Allan

I had no idea what a buzzer was but I looked it up and it turns out it's a small loudspeaker such as the one on the motherboard, correct? Well, currently, when I need audio, I plug my speakers into the output (headphones) of the case. Other than that I have not installed any audio devices at all, the only thing that's audible without any speakers plugged in is the motherboard buzzer but it's in there from start.

They're all equally long: It's one dark signal followed by two light ones, then a pause, then a light one, then another pause, followed by two more light ones. So if it's any of those you mentioned it's definitely "3 short and one long", but that's not entirely correct either. And the first note is darker than the other ones.


I'll check Memtest out!

[Dark Mantis]

The "three short and one long" beeps are not a known standard code so as I mentioned earlier so I would be looking at a memory problem.

The buzzer is not the same as your audio outputs like speakers as it only beeps and will give the codes from the motherboard. The two are not interchangeable. You need both. It is only very cheap anyway at about a pound.

[Aussie Allan]

    1 Long, then 3 Short Beeps: Video error

Explanation: The BIOS is unable to access the video system in order to write any error messages to the screen.

Diagnosis: This is usually caused by a problem with the video card, or the memory on the video card. It can also be a motherboard issue.

Recommendation:

    Troubleshoot the video card.
    If the video card is not at fault, troubleshoot the motherboard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  OR

  1 long three short could be Either the memory chips are not seated properly, or they are not compatible.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 OR

 from the Award Bios beep code index......

  1 Long Beep, 3 Short Beeps
One long beep followed by three short beeps means that either the video card isn't installed or the memory on the video card is bad. Reseating or replacing the video card will typically fix the cause of this Award beep code.

  You do need to have a speaker installed if the board doesnt have one ..... your speakers or head set will not be active during post and boot .... relax....there really cheap!

  Award BIOS beep code list......http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

  Aussie Allan

[Hagroth]

No worries, of course my motherboard has a buzzer, otherwise I wouldn't be hearing the beeping, would I? 

I downloaded Memtest86, extracted the ISO, burned it to a DVD-R (didn't have any CDs) using IMGBurn and booted from the DVD afterwards. It went on for 11 tests but didn't find any errors at all. I don't know what they mean by "iterations" though. I only did one cycle for each unit since I don't have the possibility of leaving it on during the day or night because I actually live in another house.

1: Iterations: 100   Errors: 0  11 tests (pass complete, no errors)
2: Iterations: 100   Errors: 0  11 tests (pass complete, no errors)

I'll do some more cycles tomorrow.

[Aussie Allan]

    "Iteration" means the act of repeating a process .... well that cuts the memory dimms out if they pass ten loops/ no errors

  Buzzer, pezo, I've gotta remember to get my head around all giga-boards have pezos

  I think it comes down to your GPU next .... can you get your hands on another GPU of any description that will fit your board to test ?

 if you can do this and it's still there, .....Motherboards the culprit me thinks.

  Aussie Allan

[Dark Mantis]

I would still like to see the memory tested fully. That was only a quick test and not thorough. Single stick in first slot and ten full loops. Then next. It does take a while but there are no shortcuts.

[Hagroth]

I left one of them on for six consecutive cycles yesterday - no errors. I tested the second one today, left it running for five hours maybe. This is what happened:

http://imgur.com/kWVjw

What is that supposed to mean?  

When running a single cycle (14 mins) everything's fine, not clutter on the screen and no errors reported. But after leaving it on for hours it's full of jibberish. Also, why do six cycles take three hours when the first cycle only takes 14 mins? That's not math as I know it! The second cycle took 38 minutes (still no errors)!