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What are the common beep code alerts for most BIOS out there?

Author note: I'm posting this QA after finding an excelent resource leading from this QA

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  • Please tell me what's wrong with the question rather than simply downvoting it, thanks.
    – laconbass
    Commented Apr 17, 2015 at 17:12
  • I agree with you. Those sheriffs around here do strange things. I upped it.
    – whs
    Commented Apr 17, 2015 at 17:51
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    Read through the help center would help you guys understand the "sheriffs" and the down votes.
    – CharlieRB
    Commented Apr 17, 2015 at 19:18
  • @fixer1234 That kind of reasonable thing for downvoting a question it's exactly what I was asking for on my first comment. I did a search, but obviously it was not enought accurate. Sorry
    – laconbass
    Commented Apr 18, 2015 at 17:37
  • @fixer1234 Sorry, we are missunderstanding. My comment tried to be a "thank you" message. I think your explanation (telling this question is a duplicate) was polite and neccesary to a newcomer like me to understand why the community may be downvoting the question.
    – laconbass
    Commented Apr 21, 2015 at 16:13

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NOTE: The original source is computerhope, I've pasted and prettified some content here to avoid making a link-only answer

A list of common beep codes for common BIOS out there:

AMI BIOS beep codes

Because of the wide variety of different computer manufacturers with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

   Beeps | Description
 1 short | DRAM refresh failure
 2 short | Parity circuit failure
 3 short | Base 64K RAM failure
 4 short | System timer failure
 5 short | Process failure
 6 short | Keyboard controller Gate A20 error
 7 short | Virtual mode exception error
 8 short | Display memory Read/Write test failure
 9 short | ROM BIOS checksum failure
10 short | CMOS shutdown Read/Write error
11 short | Cache Memory error
 1 long, 
 3 short | Conventional/Extended memory failure
 1 long,
 8 short | Display/Retrace test failed
two-tone
  siren  | Low CPU Fan speed, Voltage Level issue

AWARD BIOS beep codes

Because of the wide variety of different computer manufacturers with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

  Beeps | Description
1 long,
2 short | Indicates a video error has occurred and the BIOS cannot
        | initialize the video screen to display any additional
        | information.
  Other 
  beeps | RAM problem.

If any other correctable hardware issues are found, the BIOS displays a message.

Dell beep codes

     Beep Code     |     Description
7 beeps (repeated) | Bad processor (CPU)

For other Dell beep codes, please refer to Dell's Beep Codes and PSA Diagnostics Chart page.

IBM BIOS beep codes

Because of the wide variety of models shipping with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

    Beeps  |   Description
  No Beeps | No Power, Loose Card, or Short.
   1 Short | Normal POST, computer is ok.
   2 Short | POST error, review screen for error code.
Continuous
      Beep | No Power, Loose Card, or Short.
 Repeating
Short Beep | No Power, Loose Card, or Short.
 One Long,
 one Short | Motherboard issue.
 One Long,
 Two Short | Video (Mono/CGA Display Circuitry) issue.
 One Long,
 3 Short   | Video (EGA) Display Circuitry.
Three Long | Keyboard or Keyboard card error.
 One Beep,
 Blank or
 Incorrect
   Display | Video Display Circuitry.

Feel free to add more BIOS to this list!

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