Two beeps indicate a parity circuit failure error on your motherboard. The common cause of this issue includes faults with RAM modules, electrical sources, or the motherboard itself. Reseating the RAM or booting with a RAM stick that you know is good could solve the problem. But in some cases, you’ll need to look beyond the surface.
If you’re facing parity circuit failure with your motherboard, know you’re not alone. It’s a common problem shared in PC communities. It could be that your motherboard would boot but have no display, no sounds, and only two short beeps on start-up.
Failure of computer memory hardware or interference from outside sources can result in memory parity errors. I first had to deal with this issue with a Gigabyte 990fx-uda3, an FX 8350, and an XFX Radeon HD 7970.
You might have tried the popular troubleshooting tips like taking all components out, including the battery, resetting the CMOS, and even putting each stick of RAM in. Still, to no avail.
Try these surefire troubleshooting tips to solve a parity circuit failure.
How to fix parity errors: 5 surefire solutions
If you have had so many trials and errors trying to make your motherboard boot from a parity circuit error, it could be that you’re not looking in the right place. The five effective ways to solve this problem, depending on your case, include:
- Return the RAM timing to the initial setting
- Reseat or replace the RAM modules
- Look out for interference
- Try a different power outlet
- Replace the surge protector
Return the RAM timing to the initial setting
One possible way to resolve parity circuit failure caused by incorrect RAM timings is to troubleshoot the issue by adjusting the RAM timing.
When RAM timings are set incorrectly, they can cause an overload in the capacitors, leading to parity errors that prevent the CPU from accessing the RAM quickly enough. Such errors may not always appear immediately but may appear several minutes into the operation.
Modern computers can typically work with different RAM modules with varying ratings by running at the slowest module’s fastest speed.
However, timing can result in memory parity errors if you’ve tampered with the RAM.
To resolve this issue, you can reset the RAM timing to its original settings.
Alternatively, try loading the “Safe” or “Default” BIOS settings to troubleshoot the issue.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that your computer operates efficiently without errors caused by incorrect RAM timing.
Reseat or replace the RAM modules.
Another possible solution to troubleshoot parity circuit failure in your computer is to remove or replace the RAM modules.
If you have recently installed new RAM, try removing the new modules and using the old ones to see if the parity error disappears.
The problem might be with the new RAM if the error goes away. However, existing RAM can also wear out over time and start producing parity errors.
Cell leakage occurs when a bad memory cell leaks electric current into a neighboring cell, offsetting the electric charge and changing the stored value. If your RAM module has leaking cells, it cannot be repaired and should be replaced.
Removing or replacing your RAM modules can help identify and fix issues with your computer’s parity circuit failure and ensure that it operates smoothly and efficiently.
Look out for interference.
If the above tips do not work, it’s time to look for interference—the potential sources of electrostatic discharge (ESD) and electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Common sources of ESD and EMI include power cables, power distribution units, lighting systems, power supplies, and power generators. Magnets located close to the computer can also cause parity errors.
Solution
By identifying and eliminating sources of ESD and EMI, you can help reduce parity errors and ensure that your computer operates smoothly and efficiently.
Try a different power outlet.
Try connecting the computer to a different power outlet. Parity errors can occur due to voltage irregularities that cannot be compensated for by the computer’s built-in capacitors in the motherboard and power supply.
Poor power continuity can also lead to parity errors.
Solution
Ensure the power outlet is properly grounded to prevent power surge damage to the random-access memory.
This helps reduce parity errors and ensures that the computer operates smoothly and efficiently.
Replace the surge protector.
As mundane as this sounds, this is my favorite solution.
If you’re facing parity circuit failure on your motherboard, you may want to consider replacing your surge protector. I learned this the hard way after experiencing frequent parity errors that left me frustrated and on the brink of giving up on my computer.
Solution
After some research, I found that a faulty surge protector can cause power surge damage to the random-access memory, leading to parity errors. So I replaced my old surge protector with a new one, and voila! The parity errors disappeared, and my computer was running smoothly once again.
Replacing your surge protector can prevent power surge damage and help ensure your computer operates efficiently. It’s a simple, cost-effective solution that can save you from frequent parity errors.
Parity error on boot up
A parity error during boot-up is most likely the result of faulty memory modules, incompatible hardware parts, outdated firmware or BIOS, or even power supply issues.
To fix a parity error on boot-up, no matter the motherboard model, try the following steps:
Step 1: Check and replace faulty memory modules, if any.
Step 2: Ensure that all hardware components are compatible and properly installed.
Step 3: Update the firmware or BIOS to the latest version.
Step 4: Check the power supply unit to ensure it provides stable power to the system.
If none of the above steps work, try resetting the BIOS.
Parity error with a blank screen
Parity errors with blank screens can happen for various reasons, such as electromagnetic interference or faulty memory chips. And a blank screen—well, that’s pretty self-explanatory. It means that your display isn’t showing anything at all.
Now let’s talk about solutions.
The first thing you should try is resetting your computer. If that doesn’t work, you can try reseating your memory chips or replacing them altogether. And if all else fails, you can always blame it on cosmic rays and hope for the best.
A parity error, especially with a blank screen, can be tricky to troubleshoot.
If you’re uncomfortable opening up your computer and tinkering around, it’s best to take it to a professional.
How to disable parity check in bios
A parity check is a memory verification process that helps detect errors in your system’s memory. It’s a useful feature that can help ensure the stability and reliability of your system. However, it can also slow down your system’s performance, especially using older hardware.
So, if you’re experiencing slow system performance and suspect that the parity check might be to blame, disabling it in the BIOS could be a good solution. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup by pressing the designated key (usually F2 or Delete) during startup.
Step 2: Look for an option related to memory or system settings. (The exact location and name of the option may vary depending on your BIOS version.)
Step 3: Look for an option related to parity check or ECC (Error Correcting Code) memory and disable it.
Step 4: Save and exit the BIOS setup, and your computer will restart with the parity check disabled.
P.S.: Disabling the parity check can increase the risk of memory errors, so it’s not recommended unless you’re experiencing performance issues and have exhausted other solutions.
Before you go…
So far, we have gone through a list of possible causes of parity circuit failure and how to troubleshoot them differently.
Remember that the parity circuit generates and checks the parity bit on the system memory when parity checking is used.
No matter the model and brand of your motherboard, you will get two shorts on startup if this circuitry is not working properly.
I fix this issue at my workshop nine out of ten times by resetting or replacing the memory slots or sticks.
But if you tried that and it didn’t make a difference, consider other options.
What solution eventually worked for you? Let me know in the comments.
