System beep code error messages

About system beep code error messages

The appliance emits a series of beeps when an error is encountered that cannot be displayed on the system console. These beeps are sounded in the following types:

Four groupings of beeps, with a pause between each grouping
Single, consecutive beeps with no pause between the beeps
Beeps with displayed messages for BIOS errors

Interpreting four groupings of beeps

The following table lists the beep code error messages, sounded as four groupings of beeps, you might encounter, provides a brief explanation of what the beep code means, and lists the corrective action you need to take.

Beeps	Description	Corrective action
1-5-1-1	FRB failure (processor failure)	Call Network Appliance Customer Support.
1-5-2-1	Empty processor	Check the appliance for a CPU. If it is missing, call Network Appliance Customer Support.
1-5-2-2	No processor
1-5-4-2	Power fault: DC power unexpectedly lost (power control failures)	Replace the power supply, as described in Replacing the power supplies.
1-5-4-3	Chipset control failure	Call Network Appliance Customer Support.
1-5-4-4	Power control failure	Replace the power supply, as described in Replacing the power supplies.

Interpreting single beeps

The following table lists the single beep error code messages you might encounter, provides a brief explanation of what the error message means, and lists the corrective action you need to take.

Beeps	Description	Corrective action
1	Refresh timer failure. The memory refresh circuitry on the motherboard is faulty.	Reboot the system. If the problem persists, replace the motherboard, as described in Replacing the motherboard. If the problem persists, call Network Appliance Customer Support.
2	Parity error. Parity cannot be reset.	Reboot the system. If the problem persists, call Network Appliance Customer Support.
3	Base memory failure. Base memory test failure. The error could be one of the following: No memory was found in the system. Memory mixed type detected. EDO is not supported. First row memory test failure. Mismatched DIMMs in a row. Base memory test failure. Failure on decompressing post module. Generic memory error. SMBUS protocol error. All other combinations Generic memory error.	Check and replace defective DIMMs, as described in Replacing the DIMMs in the appliance.
4	System timer. System timer is not operational.	Reboot the system. If the problem persists, call Network Appliance Customer Support.
5	Processor failure detected.	Reboot the system. If the problem persists, call Network Appliance Customer Support.
6	Keyboard controller. Gate A20 failure. The keyboard controller might be bad. The BIOS cannot switch to protected mode.	Call Network Appliance Customer Support.
7	Processor exception interrupt error. The CPU generated an exception interrupt.
8	Display memory read/write error. The system video adapter is either missing or its memory is faulty. This is not a fatal error.
9	ROM checksum error. System BIOS ROM checksum error.
10	Shutdown register error. Shutdown CMOS register read/write error detected.
11	Invalid BIOS. General BIOS ROM error.

Beep codes with displayed messages

The following table lists the beep codes you might encounter if the appliance BIOS is corrupted, provides a brief explanation of what the error message means, and lists the corrective action you need to take.

Beep	Error message	Description	Corrective action
1	Recovery started	Start recovery process.	None needed.
2	Recovery boot error	Cannot boot to diskette, ATAPI, or ATAPI CD-ROM. Recovery process is retried.	Call Network Appliance Customer Support.
Series of low-pitched single beeps	Recovery failed	Unable to process valid BIOS recovery images. BIOS already passed control to OS and flash utility.	Call Network Appliance Customer Support.
Two long high-pitched beeps	Recovery complete	BIOS recovery succeeded; ready for power-down and reboot.	None needed.