Error codes

Discussion in 'A+' started by ByteMe, Mar 6, 2008.

  1. ByteMe

    ByteMe Bit Poster

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    I ran into some tests at various locations that required the knowledge of error codes. I think it was Profs.com or something of that nature and i was not prepared. I got to this site as a result of finding the link in here somewhere. I did not know any of them so is there a list of error codes someplace that is handy to study?

    The format was like this: 1xxxx, 2xxxx.....al the way up to 8 i think it was

    I just need to know what error code 1,2,3 relates to what peice of hardware,e.g. 1xxx is the NIC or something else.

    Or is this just way outdated?

    Nothing about this in Meyers book as far as i can tell and i have read it more than once now.
     
  2. dmarsh
    Honorary Member 500 Likes Award

    dmarsh Petabyte Poster

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    Most error codes I know about are vendor specific, sometimes a standard will define error codes.

    If you are talking about the BIO's then it will depend on what vendors BIO's your system has.

    http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml
    http://www.bioscentral.com/

    POST codes normally go from 00-FF in hex so I'm not sure what numbers you are on about.

    Windows also has various forms of error code, these are normally COM error codes in the longer hex format and go from 0x1xxx... to 0x8xx...

    COM error codes :-

    http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms690088(VS.85).aspx

    Get Last Error codes :-

    http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms681381.aspx

    Windows error codes are normally have translated messages in a resource section in a DLL, so the actual error message could be in one of many files.

    The WINERROR.H c include header file includes most of the common system error codes, theres also an error lookup function in some versions of visual studio.

    http://gregorybraun.com/MSWinErr.html
     
  3. ByteMe

    ByteMe Bit Poster

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    I do believe that these were BIOS error codes but it all my years of using cmputers not once have ai ran into anything like this things. Usually the MB wont even post let alone show an error code so i think i would be lucky to get an error code in the first place.

    Thank you for taking the time to post this stuff.

    Now that i am ready to book the test i am having trouble finding a site as i really do not want to travel halfway around england to get to Swansea or worse yet, barry which is on the other side of the Severn.

    http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientProgram.asp

    Try going here and they still offer the old 200 series tests and not the new and valid 600. So this leaves me with having to travel quite a bit
     
  4. dmarsh
    Honorary Member 500 Likes Award

    dmarsh Petabyte Poster

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    When a computer boots the BIOS performs a basic system check and tries to let you know the status various ways.

    The BIOs POST (Power On Self Test) codes like I said are from 00-FF normally, there might be an LED display on the MOBO if you're lucky, otherwise it might display on the screen if the video adapter is working.

    Otherwise theres normaly a beep code these are more limited and normally theres 5-12 variations or beeps. This helps for when the memory, CPU or display adapter is not working.

    Like I said these are all vendor specific, normally the BIOs vendor, look in your mobo manual, or look at the BIOs chip on the mobo and look at the BIO manufacturers website.

    I have used both POST and Beep codes to troubleshoot many issues, they do happen and are useful, believe me !
     
  5. TimoftheC

    TimoftheC Kilobyte Poster

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    B - I assume you are doing the A+ at the moment?

    If that's the case, the error codes relate to a specific hardware failure if the code is in a set range i.e. a 3XX code is a keyboard problem.

    I did a google search on "A+ error codes" and found this site that might be of use to ya :-

    http://www.learnthat.com/certification/learn.asp?id=1119&index=4

    Hope it helps
     
    Certifications: A+; Network+
    WIP: MCDST???
  6. ByteMe

    ByteMe Bit Poster

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    http://www.proprofs.com/certification/comptia/a-plus/practice/index.shtml

    Found the site again where this stuff was being asked. I knew about the post and bios already. Bios is usually tailored to suit ones companies needs as is stated in the book AIO. So i am not going to learn every company and their beep codes that is for sure. As long as i have a list of where i can find the beep codes and errors, thanks to you, than i am ok with this and if i fail the test for not knowing a million beep codes and error codes then that is fine with me as well. I will just have to be stronger in other areas.

    I was previously warned about the outdated material on that site.
     
  7. ByteMe

    ByteMe Bit Poster

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    Thank you Tim. that is what i was looking for and yes i am doing the A+. I should have taken this years ago as i have gained a staggering amount of knowledge just from playing games over these last two decades
     
  8. TimoftheC

    TimoftheC Kilobyte Poster

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    Your welcome B and good luck with your exam :)
     
    Certifications: A+; Network+
    WIP: MCDST???
  9. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    Those sound like IBM BIOS error codes.

    This page has some of them.

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  10. neutralhills

    neutralhills Kilobyte Poster

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    You can buy POST code testers inexpensively on eBay. I've got several:

    ISA (still get the odd one)
    PCI
    Laptop (connects via LPT or USB)

    They're indispensible!
     
    Certifications: Lots.
    WIP: Upgrading MS certs

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