Beep Codes for HP Workstations*

Note: This diagnostic definition is used by the field service to debug troubled system when error happened before
BIOS can turn on display to throw in error messages. (Happen very early i.e. Processor not installed correctly etc.)

Symptom Diagnosis and Action

Thermal Shutdown:
Blinks RED 2 times, 1 Ensure the workstation air vents are not blocked and cooling fan is running.
once per second, 2 Open hood, press power button, and see if processor fan spins. If not spinning, ensure
then 2 second pause, fan cable is plugged into the system board. Ensure fan is fully/properly seated.
2 beeps 3 If fan is plugged in and seated but not spinning, then replace processor fan.
4 Reseat CPU heat sink and verify fan assembly properly attached.

CPU not installed:

Blinks RED 3 times,
once per second,
1. Install CPU.
then 2 second pause,
2. Reseat CPU.
3 beeps

Power Failure: (power supply is overloaded)

1. Open the access panel and be sure the four-wire power supply cable is properly
connected to the system board.
2. Locate faulty device by removing all devices and then reinstalling one at a time
until workstation fails. Replace the device causing the failure. Continue adding
devices to ensure all are functioning properly.
3. Check the power supply functionality.
o Disconnect AC power.
Blinks RED 4 times, o Remove all internal power supply cables from the system board.
once per second, o Plug in AC power.
then 2 second pause,
4 beeps • If the power supply fan spins and the BIST LED lights, then the power supply is
good. Replace the system board.
• If the power supply fan does not spin or the BIST LED does not light, replace the
power supply.

Special note for Cayenne (xw8200): this could be the dreaded inductor issue (fried
inductor on the motherboard). The motherboard needs to be replaced.

Pre-video memory error:

Blinks RED 5 times,

1. Reseat memory modules.
once per second,
2. Replace memory modules one at a time to find the faulty module.
then 2 second pause,
3. Replace third-party modules with HP memory.
5 beeps
4. Replace system board.

Pre-video graphics card error:

(BIOS did not detect a VGA-compatible device)
For systems with integrated graphics, replace system board.
Blinks RED 6 times, For systems with graphic cards,
once per second,
then 2 second pause, • 1 Reseat the graphics card. Power on the system.
6 beeps
• 2 Replace the graphics card.
• 3 Replace the system board.
 Entering FailSafe (BootBlock) Recovery Mode
Either FailSafe detected a corrupted ROM, or the user pressed <Escape> before powering
on. The BIOS does not halt at this point, but attempts to boot to a ROMPaq floppy or CD-
Blinks RED 8 times, ROM (USB devices are not supported).
once per second,
then stops blinking
• 1. Reflash ROM with a ROMPaq floppy or CD-ROM.
• 2. Replace system board.