Why Won’t Some Manufacturers Include A Speaker With Motherboards These Days?

It wasn’t until I actually bought the ASUS ROG STRIX B550-A Gaming Motherboard that I came to a realization. This is an expensive motherboard, but doesn’t include a tiny little wire in a little baggy anymore?. I actually think that since you can buy these little things off eBaY or other online computer stores, big manufacturers have decided not to include them with their motherboards anymore. Fortunately, this motherboard I bought for around over $200, is still on the market today, even at the time that I publish this article.

In this thread on a Tom’s Hardware forum, it is mentioned by “noahhicks” that… “The majority of motherboards (MB) and cases don’t come with a system speaker.”, and that’s one of the only articles I can find on the internet stating this. It was probably never announced on any sort of Tech News blog or website that this happened. Anyways, through my link here on Amazon.ca you can get a motherboard speaker for around less than $5, and yes, I may earn a commission from what ever you buy there.

Incase you are reading this post with no idea of what I’m talking about, above is a picture of what a “Motherboard BIOS POST Speaker” looks like, and let me explain what it does. The Motherboard Post Speaker connects to most Motherboard’s Audio Connectors and let’s the computer alert you with regular computer Post sounds. This part is also used by your motherboard to send you audible error codes if your PC is experiencing problems that stops it from posting.

For many years, in my days of building PC’s, I have been using these beeping sounds to troubleshoot problems with building computers to tell what the problem is. How I do that is, through hearing what ever problem is occurring through the beeps, I just Google how many times it beeps and mention in the search field the make and model of the motherboard or other part and usually I can get a good idea of what the problem is through the search results, which will explain what the problem is so I don’t have to read the manual of the motherboard etc. Here is a diagram of what different beeps mean when your motherboard is experiencing problems…

1 Beep
A single beep from an AMI based BIOS means there has been a memory refresh timer error. The solution is often to replace the RAM in the computer.
2 Beeps
Two beeps means there has been a parity error in base memory. This is an issue with the first 64KB block of memory in your RAM. The solution is usually to replace the memory.
3 Beeps
Three beeps means there has been a base memory read/write test error. Replacing the RAM usually solves this AMI beep code.
4 Beeps
Four beeps means that the motherboard timer is not working properly. A hardware failure with an expansion card or the motherboard itself could be the cause of this beep code.
5 Beeps
Five beeps means there has been a processor error. A damaged expansion card, the CPU, or the motherboard could be prompting this AMI beep code.
6 Beeps
Six beeps means that there has been an 8042 Gate A20 test error. This beep code is usually caused by an expansion card that has failed or the motherboard that is no longer working.
7 Beeps
Seven beeps indicates a general exception error. This AMI beep code could be caused by an expansion card problem, a motherboard hardware issue, or a damaged CPU. Replacing the faulty hardware usually fixes the cause of this beep code.
8 Beeps
Eight beeps means that there has been an error with the display memory. This beep code is usually caused by a faulty video card. Replacing the video card usually clears this up.

via apurbthegeeek.wordpress.com