TYPES OF

COMPUTER
SYSTEM ERROR
LO1: PLAN AND PREPARE FOR
DIAGNOSIS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS
ERRORS
INTRODUCTIO
Nhere are two types of
T
computer system errors:
system and operating
system. Throughout the
lesson you will be able to
know and understand the
scenarios in which you
might encounter errors
that fall under one of these
types.
COMPUTER SYSTEM ERRORS
ERROR SCENARIO
When the computer is switched on, nothing shows up
No video output
on your monitor and the LED flashes yellow or orange.
The processor's or motherboard's brand appears, but
Failure to boot-up the system will not continue startup, often restarting
repeatedly.
It takes too long for the computer to boot up during
Non-stop loading of operating system
system loading.
Even when disconnected from the Internet, multiple
Lots of pop-up windows on standby mode pop-up windows still appear, known as the aftershock
virus.
After restarting the system during hardware
Lots of hardware installation windows appear
installation, the installation window reappears.
Moving the mouse or pressing the keyboard causes
System automatically restarts leading to file deletion the system to restart, potentially deleting random
files.
A sound plays while loading, but stops abruptly. No
Sound on/off error
sound is produced after, even with audio files.
Exiting a program that uses the full screen causes the
Application causes system to restart
system to restart.
OPERATING SYSTEM ERRORS
ERROR CAUSE
Faulty hardware or corrupted operating system
System Error
modules.
Malfunctioning or corrupted system files or
Runtime Error
software causing applications to lose stability.
Malfunctioning memory modules or bad sectors on
Stop Error
the hard disk.
Malfunctioning hardware components or corrupted
Device Manager Error
driver files.
Hardware issues identified by motherboard beeps
POST Code Error
during startup.
Malfunctioning application due to anomalies in the
Application Error program code. Immediate Solution: Upgrade to
latest version.

Browser Status Code Error Misplaced web pages in the browser's server.
COMPUTER SYSTEM ERROR BEEP CODES ( AMI
BIOS)
Indicator Possible Error Solution
1 beep DRAM refresh failure Check memory
2 beeps Memory parity error Check memory
3 beeps Base 64K memory failure Check memory
4 beeps System timer failure Replace motherboard
5 beeps Processor error Replace processor
6 beeps Gate A20/Keyboard controller failure Replace motherboard

7 beeps Virtual mode processor exception error Replace processor

8 beeps Display memory read/write failure Replace video card

Replace BIOS
9 beeps ROM checksum error
chip/motherboard
Replace BIOS
10 beeps CMOS shutdown register read/write error
chip/motherboard
11 beeps Cache error Replace cache memory
COMPUTER SYSTEM ERROR BEEP CODES
(PHOENIX)
Indicator Possible Error Solution
1-1-4-1 Cache error Check cache memory
1-2-2-3 BIOS ROM checksum Check BIOS ROM
1-3-1-1 DRAM test rate Check DRAM
1-3-1-3 Keyboard controller test Check keyboard controller
1-3-4-3 RAM failure Check memory
RAM failure data bits of low
1-4-1-1 Check memory
memory bus
RAM failure data bits of low
2-1-2-3 Check memory
memory bus
2-2-3-1 ROM copyright notice Check ROM
Replace
2-2-3-1 Test for unexpected interrupt processor/motherboard
COMPUTER SYSTEM ERROR BEEP CODES (AWARD
BIOS)

Indicator Possible Error Solution

One long beep and two

Video error Replace video card
short beeps

Reset RAM, check other

Two short beeps Non-fatal error
components
END OF
LESSON