Award BIOS Post Codes - BIOS Central

CPU	BIOS sets, verifies and resets the error flags in the CPU. Failure here is normally due to the CPU or system clock
POST Determination	BIOS determines whether the motherboard is set for normal operation or a continuous loop of POST. If the POST test is cycled 1-5 times over and over either the jumper for this function is set to burn=in or the circuitry involved has failed
Keyboard Controller	BIOS tests the internal operations of the keyboard controller chip (8042). Failure here is normally due to the keyboard chip
Burn In Status	1-5 will repeat if the motherboard is set to burn in. If you haven't set the motherboard for burn-in mode, there is a short in the circuitry
Initialize Chipset	BIOS clears all DMA registers and CMOS status bytes 0E and 0F. BIOS then initializes 8254 timer, Failure of this test is probably due to the timer chip
CPU	A bit-pattern is used to verify the functioning of the CPU registers. Failure here is normally down to the CPU or clock chip
RTC	BIOS verifies that the real time clock is updating CMOS at normal intervals. Failure is normally the CMOS/RTC or the battery
ROM BIOS Checksum	BIOS performs a checksum of itself against a predetermined value that will equal 00. Failure is down to the ROM BIOS
Initialize Video	BIOS tests and initializes the video controller. Failure is normally the video controller (6845) or an improper setting of the motherboard or CMOS
PIT	BIOS tests the functionality of channels 0, 1, and 2 in sequence. Failure is normally the PIT chip (8254/53)
CMOS Status	Walking bit pattern tests CMOS shutdown status byte 0F. Failure normally in CMOS
Extended CMOS	BIOS checks for any extended information of the chipset and stores it in the extended RAM area. Failure is normally due to invalid information and can be corrected by setting CMOS defaults. Further failure indicates either the chipset or the CMOS RAM
DMA	Channels 0 and 1 are tested together with the page registers of the DMA controller chip (8237). Failure is normally due to the DMA chips
Keyboard	The 8042 keyboard controller is tested for functionality and for proper interfacing functions. Failure is normally due to the 8042 chip
Refresh	Memory refresh is tested; the standard with walking - bit patterns. Failure is normally the PIT chip in AT's or the DMA chip in AT's
Memory	The first 64K of memory is tested with walking bit patterns. Failure is normally due to the first bank of ram or a data line
Interrupt Vectors	The BIOS interrupt vectors table is loaded to the first bank of RAM. Failure here is not likely since memory in the area has been tested. If failure does occur suspect the BIOS or RTC
Video ROM	Video ROM is initialized which performs an internal diagnostic before returning control to the system BIOS. Failure is normally the video adapter or the BIOS
Video Memory	This is tested with a bit pattern. This is bypassed if there is a ROM on the video adapter. Failure is normally down to the memory on the adapter
PIC	The functionality of the interrupt controller chip(s) is tested (8259). Failure is normally due to the 8259 chips but may be the clock
CMOS Battery	BIOS verifies that CMOS byte 0D is set which indicates the CMOS battery power. Suspect the battery first and the CMOS second
CMOS Checksum	A checksum is performed on the CMOS. Failure is either incorrect setup, the CMOS chip or battery. If the test is passed, the information is used to configure the system
Determine System Memory	Memory up to 640K is addressed in 64K blocks. Failure is normally due to an address line or DMA chip. If all the memory is not found there is a bad RAM chip or address line in the 64K block above the amount found
Memory Test	Tests are performed on any memory found and there will normally be a message with the hex address of any failing bit displayed at the end of boot
PIC	Further testing is done on the 8259 chips
CPU Protected Mode	The processor is placed in protected mode and back into real mode; the 8042 is used for this. In case of failure suspect the 8042, CPU, CMOS, or the BIOS in that order
Determine Extended Memory	Memory above 1MB is addressed in 64K blocks. The entire block will be inactive if there is a bad RAM chip on a block
Test Extended Memory	Extended memory is tested with a series of patterns. Failure is normally down to a RAM chip, and the hex address of the failed bit should be displayed
Unexpected Exceptions	BIOS checks for unexpected exceptions in protected mode. Failure is likely to be a TSR or intermittent RAM failure
Shadow Cache	Shadow RAM and cache are activated. Failure may be due to the cache controller or chips. Check the CMOS first for invalid information
8242 Detection	BIOS checks for an Intel 8242 keyboard controller and initializes it if found. Failure may be due to an improper jumper setting or the 8242
Initialize Keyboard	Failure could be the keyboard or controller
Initialize floppy	All those set in the CMOS. Failure could be incorrect CMOS setup or floppy controller or the drive
Detect Serial Ports	BIOS searches for and initializes up to four serial ports at 3F8, 2F8, 3E8, and 2E8. Detection failure is normally due to an incorrect jumper setting somewhere or an adapter failure
Detect Parallel Ports	BIOS searches for and initializes up to four parallel ports at 378, 278, 3BC, and 2BC. Detection failure is normally due to an incorrect jumper setting somewhere or an adapter failure
Initialize Hard Drive	BIOS initializes any hard drive(s) set in the CMOS. Failure could be due to invalid CMOS setup, hard drive or controller failure
Detect NPU Coprocessor	Initialization of any NPU coprocessor found. failure is due either to invalid CMOS setup or the NPU is failing
Initialize Adapter ROM	Any Adapter ROM's between C800 and EFFF are initialized. The ROM will do an internal test before giving back control to the system ROM. Failure is normally due to the adapter ROM or the attached hardware
Initialize External Cache	Any external cache to the 486 is enabled. Failure would indicates invalid CMOS setup, cache controller or chip failure
NMI Unexpected Exceptions	A final check for unexpected exceptions before giving control to the Int 19 boot loader. Failure is normally due to a memory parity error or an adapter failure
Boot Errors	Failure when the BIOS attempts to boot off the default drive set in CMOS is normally due to invalid CMOS drive setup or as given by an error message. If the system hangs there is an error in the Master Boot Record or the Volume Boot Record

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CPU	BIOS sets, verifies and resets the error flags in the CPU then performs a register test by writing and reading bit patterns. Failure is normally due to the CPU or clock chip
Initialize Support Chips	Video is disabled as is parity, DMA and NMI. Then the PIT, PIC, and DMA chips are initialized. Failure is normally the DMA or PIT chips
Initialize Keyboard	Keyboard and controller are initialized
ROM BIOS Test	A checksum is performed by the ROM BIOS on the data within itself and is compared to a preset value of 00. Failure is normally due tot he ROM BIOS
CMOS Test	A test of the CMOS chip which should also detect a bad battery. Failure is due to either the CMOS chip or the battery
Memory Test	First 356K of memory tested with any routines in the chipsets. Failure is normally due to defective memory
Cache Initialization	Any external cache to the chipset in activated. Failure is normally due to the cache controller or chips
Initialize Vector Table	Interrupt vectors are initialized and the interrupt table is installed into low memory. Failure is normally due to the BIOS or low memory
CMOS RAM	CMOS RAM checksum tested and BIOS defaults loaded if invalid. Failure would indicate CMOS RAM failure
Keyboard Initialization	Keyboard initialized and Num Lock set on. Check the keyboard or controller is a failure occurs
Video Test	Video adapter tested and initialized
Video Memory	Tested for Mono and CGA adapters. Failure could be the adapter card
DMA Test	DMA controllers and page registers are tested. Failure could indicate bad DMA chips
PIC Tests	8259 PIC chips are tested. Failure would indicate a bad PIC
EISA Mode Test	A checksum is performed on the extended data area of CMOS where EISA information is stored. If passed the EISA adapter is initialized
Enable Slots	Slots 0-15 doe EISA adapters are enabled if the above test is passed
Memory Size	Memory addresses above 256K written in 64K blocks and addresses found are initialized. If a bit is bad, the entire block containing it and those above will not be seen
Memory Test	Read and write tests are performed on memory above 256K. Failure is due to bad bit in RAM
EISA Memory	Memory tests on any adapters initialize previously. Check the memory chips if a failure occurs
Mouse Initialization	Checks for a mouse and installs the appropriate interrupt vectors if one is found. Check the mouse adapter if a failure occurs
Cache Initialized	The cache controller is initialized if present
Shadow RAM Setup	Any Shadow RAM present according to the CMOS is enabled
Floppy Test	Test and initialize floppy controller and drive
Hard Drive Test	Test and initialize hard disk controller and drive. You may have an improper setup or a bad controller/hard drive if a failure occurs
Serial and Parallel Ports	Amy serial and parallel ports are found and initialized
Math Coprocessor	The coprocessor is initialized if found. Check the CMOS setup or the math coprocessor if a failure occurs
Boot Speed	Set the default speed at which the computer boots
POST Loop	Reboot occurs if the loop pin is set for manufacturing purposes
Security	Ask for a password if one has been set in the CMOS.
Write CMOS	The BIOS is waiting to write the CMOS values from Setup to CMOS RAM. Failure is normally due to an invalid CMOS configuration
Pre-Boot	The BIOS is waiting to to write the CMOS values from Setup to CMOS RAM
Adapter ROM Initialization	Adapter ROM's between C800 and EFFF are Initialized. The ROM will do an internal test before giving back control to the system ROM. Failure is normally due to the adapter ROM or the adapter card
Setup Time	Set CMOS time to the value located at 40h of the BIOS data area
Boot System	Control is given to Int 19 boot loader

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BIOS ROM checksum error - System halted	The checksum of the BIOS code in the BIOS chip is incorrect, indicating the BIOS code may have become corrupt. Replace the BIOS
CMOS battery failed	CMOS battery is no longer functional. Replace the battery
CMOS checksum error - Defaults loaded	Checksum of CMOS is incorrect, so the system loads the default values. A checksum error may indicate that CMOS has become corrupt. This error might have been caused by a weak battery
CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER	Checksum of CMOS is incorrect. This can indicate that CMOS has become corrupt. This error may have been caused by a weak CMOS battery
CPU at nnn	Displays the running speed of the CPU
DISKETTE DRIVES OR TYPES MISMATCH ERROR - RUN SETUP	Type of diskette drive installed in the system is different from the CMOS definition. Run Setup to reconfigure the drive type correctly
Display switch is set incorrectly	The display switch on the motherboard can be set to either monochrome or color. This message indicates the switch is set to a different setting than indicated in Setup. Determine which setting is correct and then either turn off the system and change the jumper or enter Setup and change the video selector
DISPLAY TYPE HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST BOOT	Since last powering off the system, the display adapter has been changed. You must configure the system for the new display type
EISA Configuration Checksum Error	The EISA nonvolatile RAM checksum is incorrect or cannot correctly read the EISA slot. This can indicate either the EISA nonvolatile memory has become corrupted or the slot has been configured incorrectly. Also, be sure the card in installed firmly in the slot
EISA Configuration Is Not Complete	The slot configuration information stored in the EISA nonvolatile memory is incomplete
ERROR ENCOUNTERED INITIALIZING HARD DRIVE	Hard drive cannot be initialized. Be sure the adapter is installed correctly and all cables are correctly and firmly attached. Also be sure the correct hard drive type is selected in Setup
ERROR INITIALIZING HARD DISK CONTROLLER	Cannot initialize controller. Make sure the card is correctly and firmly installed in the bus. Be sure the correct hard drive type is installed in Setup. Also check to see if any jumper needs to be set correctly on the hard drive
FLOPPY DISK CONTROLLER ERROR OR NO CONTROLLER PRESENT	Cannot find or initialize the floppy disk controller. make sure the controller is installed correctly and firmly. If there are no floppy drives installed, be sure the Diskette Drive selection in Setup is set to None
Floppy disk(s) fail	Cannot find or initialize the floppy drive controller or the drive. make sure the controller is installed correctly. If no floppy drives are installed, be sure the Diskette Drive selection in Setup is set to None or Auto
HARD DISK initializing	Please wait for a moment... Some hard drives require some extra time to initialize
HARD DISK INSTALL FAILURE	Cannot find or initialize the hard drive controller or the drive. Make sure the controller is installed correctly. If no hard drives are installed, be sure the Hard Drive selection in Setup is set to None
Hard disk(s) diagnosis fail	The system may run specific disk diagnostic routines. this message appears if one or more hard disks return an error when the diagnostics run
Invalid EISA Configuration	The nonvolatile memory containing EISA configuration information was programmed incorrectly or has become corrupt. Rerun EISA configuration utility to correctly program the memory
Keyboard error or no keyboard present	Cannot initialize the keyboard. Make sure the keyboard is attached correctly and no keys are being pressed during the boot. If you are purposely configuring the system without a keyboard, set the error halt condition in Setup to HALT ON ALL, BUT KEYBOARD. This will cause the BIOS to ignore the missing keyboard and continue the boot
Keyboard is locked out - Unlock the key	This message usually indicates that one or more keys have been pressed during the keyboard tests. Be sure no objects are resting on the keyboard
Memory Address Error at...	Indicates a memory address error at a specific location. You can use this location along with the memory map for your system to find and replace the bad memory chips
Memory parity Error at...	Indicates a memory parity error at a specific location. You can use this location along with the memory map for your system to find and replace the bad memory chips.
MEMORY SIZE HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST BOOT	Memory has been added or removed since the last boot. In EISA mode, use configuration utility to reconfigure the memory configuration. In ISA mode,enter Setup and enter the new memory size in the memory field
Memory Test	The message displays during a full memory test, counting down the memory areas being tested
Memory Test Fail	If POST detects an error during memory testing, additional information appears giving specifics about the type and location of the memory error
Memory Verify Error at...	Indicates an error verifying a value already written to memory. Use the location along with your system's memory map to locate the bad chip
No boot device was found	This could mean that either a boot device was not detected or the drive does not contain proper system boot files. Insert a system disk into drive A: and press Enter. If you assumed the system would boot from the hard drive, make sure the controller is inserted correctly and all cables are properly attached. Also be sure the disk is formatted as a boot device. Then reboot the system
OFFENDING ADDRESS NOT FOUND	The message is used in conjunction with the I/O CHANNEL CHECK and RAM PARITY ERROR messages when the segment that has caused the problem cannot be isolated
OFFENDING SEGMENT:	This message is used in conjunction with the I/O CHANNEL CHECK and RAM PARITY ERROR messages when the segment that has caused the problem has been isolated
Override enabled - Defaults loaded	If the system cannot boot using the current CMOS configuration, the BIOS can override the current configuration with a set of BIOS defaults designed for the most stable, minimal-performance system operations
PRESS A KEY TO REBOOT	This will be displayed at the bottom of the screen when an error occurs that requires you to reboot. Press any key to reboot the system
Press ESC to skip memory test	You can press ESC to skip the full memory test
PRESS F1 TO DISABLE NMI, F2 TO REBOOT	When BIOS detects a non-maskable interrupt condition during boot, this will allow you to disable the NMI and continue to boot; or you can reboot the system with the NMI enabled
Press TAB to show POST screen	System OEM's may replace the Award BIOS POST display with their own proprietary display. Including this message in the OEM display permits the operator to switch between the OEM display
Primary master hard disk fail	POST detects an error in the primary master IDE hard drive
Primary slave hard disk fail	POST detects an error in the secondary master IDE hard drive
RAM PARITY ERROR - CHECKING FOR SEGMENT...	Indicates a parity error in RAM
Resuming from disk, Press TAB to show POST screen	Award offers a save-a-disk feature for notebook computers. This message may appear when the operator restarts the system after a save-to-disk shutdown. See the Press Tab...message earlier for a description of this feature
Secondary master hard disk fail	POST detects an error in the secondary master IDE hard drive
Secondary slave hard disk fail	POST detects an error in the secondary slave IDE hard drive
Should Be Empty But EISA Board Found	A valid board ID was found in a slot that was configured as having no board ID
Should Have EISA Board But Not Found	The board installed is not responding to the ID request, or no board ID has been found in the indicated slot
Slot Not Empty	Indicates that a slot designated as empty by the EISA configuration utility actually contains a board
SYSTEM HALTED. (CTRL-ALT-DEL) TO REBOOT...	Indicates the present boot attempt has been aborted and the system must be rebooted. Press and hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and press Del
Wrong Board In Slot	The board ID does not match the ID stored in the EISA nonvolatile memory

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All information has been gathered with permission of the respective BIOS providers. Although Bios Central has used reasonable effort to ensure accuracy we are unable to verify all codes posted. Use at your own risk. Bios Central, or any person associated with Bios Central takes no responsibility for any dmage resulting from the use of this information.