IBM Diagnostic Error Code Description

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Everyone who uses computer might be aware of diagnostic codes but don't know what does that mean. So let us see what does that mean.

I will take the example of IBM which uses a system of diagnostic codes to diagnose trouble spots in a given computer. In the error code, the first part specifies the device that caused the problem; while the second part explains the meaning of the error.

Motherboard Errors:

Code - Description
Error Code 101 - System board interrupt failure (unexpected interrupt)
Error Code 102 - BIOS ROM checksum error (PC, XT); timer error (AT, MCA)
Error Code 103 - BASIC ROM checksum error (PC, XT); timer interrupt error (AT, MCA)
Error Code 104 - Interrupt controller error (PC, XT); protected mode error (AT, MCA)
Error Code 105 - Timer failure (PC, XT); 8042 keyboard controller failure (MCA)
Error Code 106 - System board converting logic test failure
Error Code 107 - System board non-maskable interrupt (NMI) test failure; Hot NMI test failure (MCA)
Error Code 108 - System board timer bus test failure
Error Code 109 - DMA test memory select failure
Error Code 110 - PS/2 system board parity check error (MCA); PS/2 system board memory error (ISA)
Error Code 111 - PS/2 adapter memory problem (ISA); PS/2 I/O channel parity check error (MCA)
Error Code 112 - PS/2 watchdog timeout error (NMI)
Error Code 113 - PS/2 DMA arbitration time out error (NMI)
Error Code 114 - PS/2 external ROM checksum error
Error Code 115 - BIOS ROM checksum error, cache parity error, or DMA error
Error Code 116 - System board read/write error
Error Code 118 - System Board parity or L2 cache error
Error Code 119 - 2.88MB floppy installed but not supported by the floppy controller
Error Code 120 - CPU self test error
Error Code 121 - Unexpected hardware interrupt occurred; 256KB ROM checksum error (second 128KB bank)
Error Code 129 - System Board Failure
Error Code 131 - Cassette wrap test; DMA compatibility registers error
Error Code 132 - DMA extended registers error
Error Code 133 - DMA verify logic error
Error Code 134 - DMA arbitration error
Error Code 151 - Battery, real time clock, or CMOS RAM failure
Error Code 152 - Real time clock, or CMOS RAM failure
Error Code 160 - PS/2 system board ID not recognized
Error Code 161 - CMOS configuration lost (battery has died)
Error Code 162 - CMOS checksum error, CRC error, or adapter ID mismatch
Error Code 163 - CMOS error; Clock is not updating
Error Code 164 - CMOS error; CMOS setting does not match memory on system board
Error Code 165 - PS/2 adapter ID mismatch
Error Code 166 - PS/2 adapter time out; card busy
Error Code 167 - PS/2 system clock not updating
Error Code 168 - Math coprocessor error in the CMOS configuration
Error Code 169 - System board and processor card configuration mismatch
Error Code 170 - ASCII setup conflict error
Error Code 171 - Rolling bit test failure on CMOS shutdown byte
Error Code 172 - Rolling bit test failure on NVRAM diagnostic byte
Error Code 173 - Bad CMOS/NVRAM checksum
Error Code 174 - Bad system configuration
Error Code 175 - Bad EEPROM CRC
Error Code 177 - Bad password CRC
Error Code 178 - Bad EEPROM
Error Code 179 - NVRAM error log full
Error Code 180x - Sub address date error in slot x
Error Code 181 - Unsupported configuration
Error Code 182 - Password switch is not in the writing position
Error Code 183 - System halted; password is required
Error Code 184 - Bad power on password
Error Code 185 - Bad startup sequence
Error Code 186 - Password protection hardware error
Error Code 187 - Serial number error
Error Code 188 - Bad EEPROM checksum
Error Code 189 - Too many incorrect password attempts
Error Code 191 - Cache controller test failed
Error Code 194 - System board memory error
Error Code 195 - Configuration read from hibernation area of HDD doesn't match actual configuration
Error Code 196 - Read error occurred in hibernation area of HDD
Error Code 199 - User indicated device list not correct

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Memory Errors

Code - Description

Error Code 20x - Memory error
Error Code 201 - Memory test failure; error location might be displayed
Error Code 202 - Memory address error; lines 00-15
Error Code 203 - Memory address error; lines 16-23 (ISA) or 16-31 (MCA)
Error Code 204 - Memory remapped due to error (run diagnostics again)
Error Code 205 - Base 128KB memory error; memory remapped
Error Code 207 - ROM failure
Error Code 210 - System board memory parity error
Error Code 211 - Error in first 64KB of RAM
Error Code 212 - Watchdog timer error
Error Code 213 - DMA bus arbitration time out
Error Code 215 - Memory address error; 64KB on daughter/SIP 2 failed
Error Code 216 - Memory address error; 64KB on daughter/SIP 1 failed
Error Code 221 - ROM to RAM copy failed
Error Code 225 - Wrong speed memory on system board
Error Code 229 - Memory Error
Error Code 230 - Overlapping adapter and planar memory
Error Code 231 - Non continuous adapter memory installed
Error Code 235 - Stuck data line on memory module
Error Code 241 - Memory module 2 failed
Error Code 251 - Memory module 3 failed

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Keyboard Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 301 - Keyboard did not respond correctly
Error Code 302 - Keyboard locked
Error Code 303 - Keyboard and/or system board interface error; keyboard controller fault
Error Code 304 - Keyboard or system unit error
Error Code 305 - Keyboard fuse failed on system board
Error Code 306 - Unsupported keyboard attached
Error Code 341 - Keyboard error
Error Code 342 - Keyboard cable error
Error Code 343 - Enhancement card or cable error
Error Code 365 - Keyboard failure
Error Code 366 - Interface cable failure
Error Code 367 - Enhancement card or cable failure

Monochrome Display Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 401 - Memory, horizontal sync frequency or vertical sync failure
Error Code 408 - User indicated display attribute failure
Error Code 416 - User indicated character set failure
Error Code 424 - User indicated 80 x 25 mode failure
Error Code 432 - MDA card parallel port test failure

Color Graphics Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 501 - CRT error; CGA memory, horizontal sync frequency or video test failure
Error Code 503 - CGA adapter controller failed
Error Code 508 - User display attribute failure
Error Code 516 - User indicated character set failure
Error Code 524 - User indicated 80 x 25 mode failure
Error Code 532 - User indicated 40 x 25 mode failure
Error Code 540 - User indicated 320 x 200 graphics mode failure
Error Code 548 - User indicated 640 x 200 graphics mode failure
Error Code 556 - User indicated light pen test failed
Error Code 564 - User indicated paging test failure

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Floppy Drive/Controller Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 601 - General diskette or adapter failure
Error Code 602 - Diskette boot sector is not valid
Error Code 603 - Diskette size error
Error Code 604 - Media sense error
Error Code 605 - Diskette drive locked
Error Code 606 - Diskette verify test failed
Error Code 607 - Write protect error
Error Code 608 - Drive command error
Error Code 610 - Diskette initialization failure
Error Code 611 - Drive time out error
Error Code 612 - NEC drive controller IC error
Error Code 613 - Floppy system DMA error
Error Code 614 - Floppy system DMA boundary overrun error
Error Code 615 - Drive index timing error
Error Code 616 - Drive speed error
Error Code 621 - Drive seek error
Error Code 622 - Drive cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error
Error Code 625 - Controller chip (NEC) seek error
Error Code 626 - Diskette data compare error
Error Code 627 - Diskette data compare error
Error Code 628 - Diskette removed
Error Code 630 - Index stuck high; drive A:
Error Code 631 - Index stuck low; drive A:
Error Code 632 - Track 0 stuck off; drive A:
Error Code 632 - Track 0 stuck on; drive A:
Error Code 640 - Index stuck high; drive B:
Error Code 641 - Index stuck low; drive B:
Error Code 642 - Track 0 stuck off; drive B:
Error Code 643 - Track 0 stuck on; drive B:
Error Code 645 - No index pulse
Error Code 646 - Drive track 0 detection failed
Error Code 647 - No transitions on read data line
Error Code 648 - Format test failed
Error Code 649 - Incorrect media type in drive
Error Code 650 - Drive speed error
Error Code 651 - Format failure
Error Code 652 - Verify failure
Error Code 653 - Read failure
Error Code 654 - Write failure
Error Code 655 - Controller error
Error Code 656 - Drive failure
Error Code 657 - Write protect stuck protected
Error Code 658 - Changeline stuck unprotected
Error Code 659 - Write protected stuck unprotected
Error Code 660 - Changeline stuck unchanged

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Math Coprocessor Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 701 - Math coprocessor presence/initialization error
Error Code 702 - Exception errors test failure
Error Code 703 - Rounding test failure
Error Code 704 - Arithmetic test 1 failure
Error Code 705 - Arithmetic test 2 failure
Error Code 706 - Arithmetic test 3 failure; Test is performed on 80387 only
Error Code 707 - Combination test failure
Error Code 708 - Integer load/store test failure
Error Code 709 - Equivalent expressions errors
Error Code 710 - Interrupt errors
Error Code 711 - Save state errors
Error Code 712 - Protected mode test failure
Error Code 713 - Voltage test failure

Parallel Printer Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 901 - Data register latch error
Error Code 902 - Control register latch error
Error Code 903 - Register address decode error
Error Code 904 - Address decode error
Error Code 910 - Status line wrap connector error
Error Code 911 - Status line bit 8 wrap error
Error Code 912 - Status line bit 7 wrap error
Error Code 913 - Status line bit 6 wrap error
Error Code 914 - Status line bit 5 wrap error
Error Code 915 - Status line bit 4 wrap error
Error Code 916 - Printer adapter interrupt wrap error
Error Code 917 - Unexpected printer adapter interrupt
Error Code 92x - Feature register error

Alternate Printer Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 1001 - Printer adapter data register latch error
Error Code 1002 - Printer adapter control register latch error
Error Code 1003 - Printer adapter register address decode error
Error Code 1004 - Printer adapter address decode error
Error Code 1010 - Status line wrap connector error
Error Code 1011 - Status line bit 8 wrap error
Error Code 1012 - Status line bit 7 wrap error
Error Code 1013 - Status line bit 6 wrap error
Error Code 1014 - Status line bit 5 wrap error
Error Code 1015 - Status line bit 4 wrap error
Error Code 1016 - Printer adapter interrupt wrap error
Error Code 1017 - Unexpected printer adapter interrupt
Error Code 102x - Feature register error

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Game Control Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 1301 - Game control adapter test failure
Error Code 1302 - Joystick test failure

Matrix Printer Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 1401 - Printer test failure
Error Code 1402 - Printer not ready, not on line, or out of paper
Error Code 1403 - Printer no paper error
Error Code 1404 - Matrix printer test failure; system board time out
Error Code 1405 - Parallel adapter failure
Error Code 1406 - Printer presence test failed

Display Station Emulation Adapter (DSEA) Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 1604 - DSEA or twinaxial network error
Error Code 1608 - DSEA or twinaxial network error
Error Code 1624 - DSEA error
Error Code 1634 - DSEA error
Error Code 1644 - DSEA error
Error Code 1652 - DSEA error
Error Code 1654 - DSEA error
Error Code 1658 - DSEA error
Error Code 1662 - DSEA interrupt level error
Error Code 1664 - DSEA error
Error Code 1668 - DSEA interrupt level error
Error Code 1669 - DSEA diagnostics error; use 3.0 or higher
Error Code 1674 - DSEA diagnostics error; use 3.0 or higher; DSEA station address error
Error Code 1684 - DSEA device address error
Error Code 1688 - DSEA device address error

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Hard Drive and Controller Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 1701 - Fixed disk or adapter general error
Error Code 1702 - Drive and controller time out error
Error Code 1703 - Drive seek error
Error Code 1704 - Drive controller failed
Error Code 1705 - Drive sector not found error
Error Code 1706 - Write fault error
Error Code 1707 - Drive track 00 error
Error Code 1708 - Head select error
Error Code 1709 - Bad ECC returned
Error Code 1710 - Sector buffer overrun
Error Code 1711 - Bad address mark
Error Code 1712 - Internal controller diagnostics failure
Error Code 1713 - Data compare error
Error Code 1714 - Drive not ready
Error Code 1715 - Track 00 indicator error
Error Code 1716 - Diagnostics cylinder errors
Error Code 1717 - Surface read errors
Error Code 1718 - Hard drive error
Error Code 1720 - Bad diagnostics cylinder
Error Code 1726 - Data compare error
Error Code 1730 - Drive controller error
Error Code 1731 - Drive controller error
Error Code 1732 - Drive controller error
Error Code 1733 - BIOS undefined error return
Error Code 1735 - Bad command error
Error Code 1736 - Data corrected error
Error Code 1737 - Bad drive track error
Error Code 1738 - Bad sector error
Error Code 1739 - Bad initialization error
Error Code 1740 - Bad sense error
Error Code 1750 - Drive verify error
Error Code 1751 - Drive read error
Error Code 1752 - Drive write error
Error Code 1753 - Drive random read test failure
Error Code 1754 - Drive seek test failure
Error Code 1755 - Drive controller failure
Error Code 1756 - Controller ECC test failure
Error Code 1757 - Controller head select failure
Error Code 1780 - Drive seek failure (drive 0)
Error Code 1781 - Drive seek failure (drive 1)
Error Code 1782 - Hard disk controller failure
Error Code 1790 - Diagnostic cylinder read error (drive 0)
Error Code 1791 - Diagnostic cylinder read error (drive 1)

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I/O Expansion Unit Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 1801 - Expansion unit POST error
Error Code 1810 - Enable/Disable failure
Error Code 1811 - Extender card wrap test failure while disabled
Error Code 1812 - High order address lines failure while disabled
Error Code 1813 - Wait state failure while disabled
Error Code 1814 - Enable/disable could not be set on
Error Code 1815 - Wait state failure while enabled
Error Code 1816 - Extender card wrap test failure while enabled
Error Code 1817 - High order address lines failure while enabled
Error Code 1818 - Disable not functioning
Error Code 1819 - Wait request switch not set correctly
Error Code 1820 - Receiver card wrap test failed
Error Code 1821 - Receiver high order address lines failure

Cluster Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 22xx - A cluster adapter error has occurred - replace the cluster adapter

Plasma Monitor Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 23xx - A plasma adapter display error has occurred - replace the plasma display monitor assembly

Enhanced Graphics Adapter or Video Graphics Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 2401 - Video adapter test failure
Error Code 2402 - Video display error
Error Code 2408 - User indicated display attribute test failed
Error Code 2409 - Video display error
Error Code 2410 - Video adapter error; video port error
Error Code 2416 - User indicated character set test failed
Error Code 2424 - User indicated 80 x 25 mode failure
Error Code 2432 - User indicated 40 x 25 mode failure
Error Code 2440 - User indicated mode 320 x 200 mode failure
Error Code 2448 - User indicated 640 x 200 mode failure
Error Code 2456 - User indicated light pen test failure
Error Code 2464 - User indicated paging test failure

Alternate Enhanced Graphics Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 2501 - Video adapter test failure
Error Code 2502 - Video display error
Error Code 2508 - User indicated display attribute test failed
Error Code 2509 - Video display error
Error Code 2510 - Video adapter error; video port error
Error Code 2516 - User indicated character set test failed
Error Code 2524 - User indicated 80 x 25 mode failure
Error Code 2532 - User indicated 40 x 25 mode failure
Error Code 2540 - User indicated mode 320 x 200 mode failure
Error Code 2548 - User indicated 640 x 200 mode failure
Error Code 2556 - User indicated light pen test failure
Error Code 2564 - User indicated paging test failure

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Color/Graphics Printer Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 29xx - A general fault has been detected with the printer or it's printer port - replace the adapter

Primary PC Network Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 3001 - Network adapter test failure
Error Code 3002 - ROM checksum test failure
Error Code 3003 - Unit ID PROM test failure
Error Code 3004 - RAM test failure
Error Code 3005 - Host interface controller 9HIC) test failure
Error Code 3006 - +/- 12Vdc test failure
Error Code 3007 - Digital loopback test failure
Error Code 3008 - Host detected HIC failure
Error Code 3009 - Sync signal failure and no go bit
Error Code 3010 - HIC test OK and no go bit
Error Code 3011 - Go bit OK, but no command 41
Error Code 3012 - Card not present
Error Code 3013 - Digital failure fall through
Error Code 3015 - Analog failure
Error Code 3041 - Hot carrier on other card
Error Code 3042 - Hot carrier on this card

Secondary PC Network Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 3101 - Network adapter test failure
Error Code 3102 - ROM checksum test failure
Error Code 3103 - Unit ID PROM test failure
Error Code 3104 - RAM test failure
Error Code 3105 - Host interface controller 9HIC) test failure
Error Code 3106 - +/- 12Vdc test failure
Error Code 3107 - Digital loopback test failure
Error Code 3108 - Host detected HIC failure
Error Code 3109 - Sync signal failure and no go bit
Error Code 3110 - HIC test OK and no go bit
Error Code 3111 - Go bit OK, but no command 41
Error Code 3112 - Card not present
Error Code 3113 - Digital failure fall through
Error Code 3115 - Analog failure
Error Code 3141 - Hot carrier on other card
Error Code 3142 - Hot carrier on this card

Compact Printer Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 33xx - A fault has been detected in the printer or printer adapter - replace the printer or printer adapter

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Modem Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 48xx - The internal modem has failed - replace the modem
Error Code 49xx - The alternate internal modem has failed - replace the alternate internal modem

Phoenix BIOS/Chipset Specific Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 7000 - Chipset CMOS failure
Error Code 7001 - Shadow RAM failure (ROM not shadowed to RAM)
Error Code 7002 - Chipset CMOS configuration data error

Voice Communications Adapter (VCA) Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 7101 - Adapter test failure
Error Code 7102 - Instruction or external data memory error
Error Code 7103 - PC to VCA interrupt error
Error Code 7104 - Internal data memory error
Error Code 7105 - DMA error
Error Code 7106 - Internal registers error
Error Code 7107 - Interactive shared memory error
Error Code 7108 - VCA to PC interrupt error
Error Code 7109 - DC wrap error
Error Code 7111 - External analog wrap and tone output error
Error Code 7114 - Telephone attachment test failure

3 1/2" Floppy Disk Drive Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 7301 - Diskette drive/adapter test failure
Error Code 7306 - Diskette change line error
Error Code 7307 - Write protected diskette
Error Code 7308 - drive command error
Error Code 7310 - Diskette initialization failure track 00 error
Error Code 7311 - Drive time out error
Error Code 7312 - NEC drive controller IC error
Error Code 7313 - DMA error
Error Code 7314 - DMA boundary overrun error
Error Code 7315 - Drive index timing error
Error Code 7316 - Drive speed error
Error Code 7321 - Drive seek error
Error Code 7322 - Drive CRC check error
Error Code 7323 - Sector not found error
Error Code 7324 - Address mark error
Error Code 7325 - NEC controller IC seek error

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PCMCIA Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 8081 - Presence test failure (PCMCIA revision number also checksum)
Error Code 8082 - PCMCIA register test failure

PS/2 Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 84xx - A fault has occurred with the speech adapter - replace the speech adapter
Error Code 8601 - Pointing device: mouse time out error
Error Code 8602 - Pointing device: mouse interface error
Error Code 8603 - System board: mouse interrupt error
Error Code 8604 - Pointing device or system board error
Error Code 8611 - System bus error
Error Code 8612 - TrackPoint II error
Error Code 8613 - System bus or TrackPoint II error

5 1/4 External Disk Drive or Adapter Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 107xx - A fault has occurred with the external disk drive or adapter - replace the disk drive or adapter

Processor Complex Errors:

Code - Description

Error Code 129005 - DMA error
Error Code 12901 - Processor board: processor test failure
Error Code 12902 - Processor board: cache test failure
Error Code 12904 - Second level cache failure
Error Code 12905 - Cache enable/disable errors
Error Code 12907 - Cache fatal error
Error Code 12908 - Cache POST program error
Error Code 12912x - Hardware failure
Error Code 12913x - Micro channel bus time out
Error Code 12914x - Software failure
Error Code 12915x - Processor complex error
Error Code 12916x - Processor complex error
Error Code 12917x - Processor complex error
Error Code 12918x - Processor complex error
Error Code 12919x - Processor complex error
Error Code 12940x - Processor complex failure
Error Code 12950x - Processor complex failure
Error Code 129900 - Processor complex serial number mismatch