POST Error Messages

The error codes, error messages, and the various indicator light and audible sequences that you may encounter during Power-On Self-Test (POST) or computer restart are given below, the probable source of the problem, and steps you can take to resolve the error condition. POST Message Disabled suppresses most system messages during POST, such as memory count and non-error text messages. If a POST error occurs, the screen will display the error message. To manually switch to the POST Messages Enabled mode during POST, press any key (except F10 or F12). The default mode is POST Message Disabled.
The speed at which the computer loads the operating system and the extent to which it is tested are determined by the POST mode selection. Quick Boot is a fast startup process that does not run all of the system level tests, such as the memory test. Full Boot runs all of the ROM-based system tests and takes longer to complete.

Code/Message	Probable Cause	Recommended Action
101-Option ROM Checksum Error	System ROM or expansion board option ROM checksum	1. Verify the correct ROM. 2. Flash the ROM if needed. 3. If an expansion board was recently added, remove it to see if the problem remains. 4. Clear CMOS. 5. If the message disappears, there may be a problem with the expansion card. 6. Replace the system board.
103-System Board Failure	DMA or timers.	1. Clear CMOS. 2. Remove expansion boards. 3. Replace the system board.
110-Out of Memory Space for Option ROMs	Recently added PCI expansion card contains an option ROM too large to download during POST.	1. If a PCI expansion card was recently added, remove it to see if the problem remains. 2. In Computer Setup, set Advanced > Device Options > NIC PXE Option ROM Download to DISABLE to prevent PXE option ROM for the internal NIC from being downloaded during POST to free more memory for an expansion card's option ROM. Internal PXE option ROM is used for booting from the NIC to a PXE server. 3. Ensure the ACPI/USB Buffers @ Top of Memory setting in Computer Setup is enabled
162-System Options Not Set	Configuration incorrect. RTC (real-time clock) battery may need to be replaced	Run Computer Setup and check the configuration in Advanced > Onboard Devices. Reset the date and time under Control Panel. If the problem persists, replace the RTC battery.
163-Time & Date Not Set	Invalid time or date in configuration memory. RTC (real-time clock) battery may need to be replaced. CMOS jumper may not be properly installed.	Reset the date and time under Control Panel (Computer Setup can also be used). If the problem persists, replace the RTC battery. Check for proper placement of the CMOS jumper if applicable.
164-Memory Size Error	Memory amount has changed since the last boot (memory added or  removed). Memory configuration incorrect.	Press the F1 key to save the memory changes. 1. Run Computer Setup or Windows utilities. 2. Make sure the memory module(s) are installed properly. 3. Verify proper memory module type.
201-Memory Error	RAM failure.	1. Run Computer Setup or Windows utilities. 2. Ensure memory modules are correctly installed. 3. Verify proper memory module type. 4. Remove and replace the identified faulty memory module(s). 5. If the error persists after replacing memory modules, replace the system board.
213-Incompatible Memory Module in Memory Socket(s) X, X, ...	A memory module in memory socket identified in the error message is missing critical SPD information, or is incompatible with the chipset.	1. Verify proper memory module type. 2. Try another memory socket. 3. Replace DIMM with a module conforming to the SPD standard.
214-DIMM Configuration Warning	Populated DIMM Configuration is not optimized.	Rearrange the DIMMs so that each channel has the same amount of memory.
219-ECC Memory Module Detected ECC Modules not supported on this Platform	Recently added memory module(s) support ECC memory error correction.	1. If additional memory was recently added, remove it to see if the problem remains. 2. Check product documentation for memory support information.
301-Keyboard Error	Keyboard failure.	1. Reconnect keyboard with computer turned off. 2. Check connector for bent or missing pins. 3. Ensure that none of the keys are depressed. 4. Replace keyboard
303-Keyboard Controller Error	I/O board keyboard controller.	1. Reconnect keyboard with computer turned off. 2. Replace the system board.
304-Keyboard or System Unit Error	Keyboard failure.	1. Reconnect the keyboard with computer turned off. 2. Ensure that none of the keys are depressed. 3. Replace the keyboard. 4. Replace the system board.
404-Parallel Port Address Conflict Detected	Both external and internal ports are assigned to parallel port X.	1. Remove any parallel port expansion cards. 2. Clear CMOS. 3. Reconfigure card resources and/or run Computer Setup.
410-Audio Interrupt Conflict	IRQ address conflicts with another device.	Enter Computer Setup and reset the IRQ in Advanced > Onboard Devices.
411-Network Interface Card Interrupt Conflict	IRQ address conflicts with another device.	Enter Computer Setup and reset the IRQ in Advanced > Onboard Devices.
501-Display Adapter Failure	Graphics display controller.	1. Reseat the graphics card (if applicable). 2. Clear CMOS. 3. Verify monitor is attached and turned on. 4. Replace the graphics card (if possible).
510-Flash Screen Image Corrupted	Flash Screen image has errors.	Reflash the system ROM with the latest BIOS image.
511-CPU, CPUA, or CPUB Fan not Detected	CPU fan is not connected or may have malfunctioned.	1. Reseat CPU fan. 2. Reseat fan cable. 3. Replace CPU fan.
512-Chassis, Rear Chassis, or Front Chassis Fan not Detected	Chassis, rear chassis, or front chassis fan is not connected or may have malfunctioned.	1. Reseat chassis, rear chassis, or front chassis fan. 2. Reseat fan cable. 3. Replace chassis, rear chassis, or front chassis fan.
514-CPU or Chassis Fan not Detected	CPU or chassis fan is not connected or may have malfunctioned	1. Reseat CPU or chassis fan. 2. Reseat fan cable. 3. Replace CPU or chassis fan.
660-Display cache is detected unreliable	Integrated graphics controller display cache is not working properly and will be disabled.	Replace system board if minimal graphics degrading is an issue.
917-Front Audio Not Connected	Front audio harness has been detached or unseated from motherboard.	Reconnect or replace front audio harness.
918-Front USB Not Connected	Front USB harness has been detached or unseated from motherboard.	Reconnect or replace front USB harness.
921-Device in PCI Express slot failed to initialize	There is an incompatibility/problem with this device and the system or PCI Express Link could not be retrained to an x1.	Try rebooting the system. If the error reoccurs, the device may not work with this system
1151-Serial Port A Address Conflict Detected	Both external and internal serial ports are assigned to COM1	1. Remove any serial port expansion cards. 2. Clear CMOS. 3. Reconfigure card resources and/or run Computer Setup or Windows utilities
1152-Serial Port B Address Conflict Detected	Both external and internal serial ports are assigned to COM2	1. Remove any serial port expansion cards. 2. Clear CMOS. 3. Reconfigure card resources and/or run Computer Setup or Windows utilities.
1155-Serial Port Address Conflict Detected	Both external and internal serial ports are assigned to same IRQ.	1. Remove any serial port expansion cards. 2. Clear CMOS. 3. Reconfigure card resources and/or run Computer Setup or Windows utilities.
1201-System Audio Address Conflict Detected	Device IRQ address conflicts with another device.	Enter Computer Setup and reset the IRQ in Advanced > Onboard Devices.
1202-MIDI Port Address Conflict Detected	Device IRQ address conflicts with another device.	Enter Computer Setup and reset the IRQ in Advanced > Onboard Devices.
1203-Game Port Address Conflict Detected	Device IRQ address conflicts with another device.	Enter Computer Setup and reset the IRQ in Advanced > Onboard Devices.
1720-SMART Hard Drive Detects Imminent Failure	Hard drive is about to fail. (Some hard drives have a hard drive firmware patch that will fix an erroneous error message.)	1. Determine if hard drive is giving correct error message. Enter Computer Setup and run the Drive Protection System test under Storage > DPS Self-test. 2. Apply hard drive firmware patch if applicable. 3. Back up contents and replace hard drive.
1794-Inaccessible devices attached to SATA 1 and/or SATA 3	A device is attached to SATA 1 and/or SATA 3. Devices attached to these connectors will be inaccessible while “SATA Emulation” is set to “Combined IDE Controller” in Computer Setup.	1. If using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, change “SATA Emulation” to “Separate IDE Controller” in Computer Setup. 2. If not using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, relocate the affected devices to SATA 0 or SATA 2 (if available). 3. Remove the affected devices from SATA 1 and SATA 3.
1796-SATA Cabling Error	One or more SATA devices are improperly attached. For optimal performance, the SATA 0 and SATA 1 connectors must be used before SATA 2 and SATA 3.	Ensure SATA connectors are used in ascending order. For one device, use SATA 0. For two devices, use SATA 0 and SATA 1. For three devices, use SATA 0, SATA1, and SATA 2.
1801-Microcode Patch Error	Processor is not supported by ROM BIOS.	1. Upgrade BIOS to proper version. 2. Change the processor.
Network Server Mode Active and No Keyboard Attached	Keyboard failure while Network Server Mode enabled.	1. Reconnect keyboard with computer turned off. 2. Check connector for bent or missing pins. 3. Ensure that none of the keys are depressed. 4. Replace keyboard
System will not boot without fan	CPU fan not installed or disconnected in VSFF chassis.	1. Open hood, press the Power button, and see if the processor fan spins. If the processor fan is not spinning, make sure the fan's cable is plugged onto the system board header. Ensure the heatsink is properly seated and installed. 2. If the fan is plugged in and the heatsink is properly seated but the fan does not spin, then replace the heatsink-fan assembly.

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Bring a dead Hard Drive back to life

Recover data from a dead hard drive by physically changing platters and saving thousands in per GB professional recovery charges

Your hard drive though seemingly tough is in fact pretty delicate and contains precious data. HDDs have plenty of mechanical parts and the more there are, the more things can go wrong. One fine day you’ll come across this….

Operating system not found

The most probable cause for this is a hard drive failure. During the numerous restarts that you’ll perform after this happens, there is a likelihood that you drive may be detected again. Immediately take a backup onto any other drive you may have connected to your PC. However, when all else fails, and you desperately need your data you can swap the platters of your current drive to a hard drive with similar make and hope to recover it.

Before you go about doing so, you’ll have to figure out where exactly the problem lies. If it so happens that your logic board on your hard drive is wrecked then you’ll have to find a similar logic board and transfer it onto the drive. Depending on the severity of your problem, you may have to perform a live swap, which requires you to swap the PCB after connecting it and the OS has initialized the drive. This may work and if it does, keep an extra drive nearby to backup all your data. There are few criteria that need to be satisfied in order to get a matching PCB. Check box. You can buy a spoil HDD and use its PCB. If you can’t find the needed PCB easily then there are specialty stores that stores that stock just PCBs and with any luck you’ll find the one you need, for about Rs.2000 – 5000.

We found 2 drivers of the same make, one of which went kaput a few years ago. After a round of diagnostics, it was fond out that we’d have to swap platters to extract the data from the spoilt disc.

The PCB here shows you the Micro-controller (MCU) and Flash BIOS chip. There in combination with information stored on the platter tell the MCU how to read/write data across the platter. So it is absolutely essential that you retain the flash BIOS chip. Often swapping the platters along with the PCB does the trick and will allow you to read the data via the OS. In case your OS ask you to initialize the HDD again, so not do so. Instead, boot up in a Linux distro and install ddrescue, it’ll copy your data bit-by-bit onto another drive.

All these operations need to be followed in a clean room, which is a room with very few particulate matters and has continuous air flow. The air is filtered to such an extent that there are barely 12 particles (<0.1um) within a cubic meter of air compared to 35 million particles which is present in a cubic meter or room air.

We remove the HDD covers, take out one half of the magnet and then the actuator limiter. We insert a small piece of rolled up paper in between the head armature to separate it from the platter surface, slowly slide the head away from the center while rotating the platter counter-clock wise.

Remove the metal ring holding the platters in place and transplant this platter into the donor casing. Do not touch either surface or bring any magnetic devices near it. Put back the metal ring and secure it. Slide in the head while rotating the platter counter-clock wise and remove the rolled up paper gently so that the head rests easily on to the resting area and doesn’t slam on to the platter. The heads are very sensitive and proper care must be taken. Insert the limiter and the magnet. Secure the magnet and close the HDD casing. Flip the HDD and swap the PCB on to the donor drive. Connect the drive and check if your OS can access your data. You have a very narrow window to copy all your data over, especially if you performed the entire operation outside a clean room. If your OS cannot read the data but asks you to initialize the drive. Use ddrescue to perform a bit-by-bit copy.

SIGNS OF A DYING HDD

1.    Clicking sound

2.   Frequent BSODs

3.   S.M.A.R.T. Data

4.   HDD Intermittently disappearing from the BIOS screen

5.   Grinding noise

6.   Abrupt OS hangs

CHECKING FOR PCB COMPATIBILITY

1.    Same PCB type

2.   Same PCB revision

3.   Is WD, match the DCM (Drive Configuration Matrix) till the 4-5^th character. Interpreting the DCM –

a.  Motor

b.   Base

c.   Latch

d.  Bottom VCM

e.   Media

f.    Headstack

g.   Actuator – Preamp

h.  Top VCM

i.    Separator

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