Service and Maintain

Table 10-2 Diagnostic front panel LEDs and audible codes (continued)
Activity Beeps Possible Cause Recommended Action
Red Power LED flashes two
times, once every second,
followed by a two second pause.
Beeps stop after fifth iteration
but LEDs continue until problem
is solved.
2 Processor thermal
protection activated:
A fan may be blocked or not
turning.
OR
The heat sink/fan assembly
is not properly attached to
the processor.
1. Ensure that the computer air vents are not
blocked and the processor cooling fan is
running.
2. Open hood, press 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.
3. If fan is plugged in, but is not spinning, then
replace heat sink/fan assembly.
4. Contact an authorized reseller or service
provider.
Red Power LED flashes three
times, once every second,
followed by a two second pause.
Beeps stop after fifth iteration
but LEDs continue until problem
is solved.
3 Processor not installed (not
an indicator of bad
processor).
1. Check to see that the processor is present.
2. Reseat the processor.
Red Power LED flashes four
times, once every second,
followed by a two second pause.
Beeps stop after fifth iteration
but LEDs continue until problem
is solved.
4 Power failure (power supply
is overloaded).
1. Open the hood and ensure the 4 or 6-wire
power supply cable is seated into the
connector on the system board.
2. Check if a device is causing the problem by
removing ALL attached devices. Power on the
system. If the system enters the POST, then
power off and replace one device at a time and
repeat this procedure until failure occurs.
Replace the device that is causing the failure.
Continue adding devices one at a time to
ensure all devices are functioning properly.
3. Replace the power supply.
4. Replace the system board.
Red Power LED flashes five
times, once every second,
followed by a two second pause.
Beeps stop after fifth iteration
but LEDs continue until problem
is solved.
5 Pre-video memory error.
CAUTION: To avoid damage to the DIMMs or the
system board, you must unplug the computer power
cord before attempting to reseat, install, or remove
a DIMM module.
1. Reseat DIMMs.
2. Replace DIMMs one at a time to isolate the
faulty module.
3. Replace third-party memory with HP memory.
4. Replace the system board.
Red Power LED flashes six times,
once every second, followed by
a two second pause. Beeps stop
after fifth iteration but LEDs
continue until problem is solved.
6 Pre-video graphics error. For systems with a graphics card:
1. Reseat the graphics card.
2. Replace the graphics card.
3. Replace the system board.
For systems with integrated graphics, replace the
system board.
Interpreting POST diagnostic front panel LEDs 101