MacBook Pro Fails to Start Up (Three Strange Beeps)

The MacBook Pro I've had since April of 2007 now won't start up. During use, the screen suddenly was crisscrossed with horizontal lines, and the screen and computer froze. Pushing and holding the power button didn't have any effect, so I unplugged it (the magnetic cord) and let the battery drain (which doesn't take long, since I'm pretty sure the battery is dead, and has been for several months). After letting it sit for awhile (unplugged everything), I plugged it back in, the gray screen came up with a start up chime, and then there were three loud beeps. The computer keeps running and trying to start up, I guess, but the computer screen stays gray. The light on the front of it flashes, and the green light on the power cord flashes green and then orange, and that's where it sits.
So. What's wrong, what can be done, etc.? It's hard to imagine that this computer which is pretty much exactly two years old is dead.

Wow. Okay, I got the screw off, and took out the RAM and reinserted it, and that made it quite a bit worse. Now the screen won't come on at all; it's completely black, even though it sounds like it's starting up. The white light on the front of the MacBook (where you open it if it's closed) blinks continuously.
Update: Took out the RAM and reinstalled it again, and now it's back to the original error described in the first message.
Message was edited by: David J. Peterson

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Hi all, some advice required.
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http://i.imgur.com/ALY5Ky3t.jpg
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/ALY5Ky3.png" alt="" />
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Thank you for taking the time to post those links to informative articles.
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Thank you for both links and for taking the time to share. If though I have missed something more significant in this regard I would appreciate your feedback.
Many thanks

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Hi,
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My macbook is an early version in 2011 with Mountain Lion installed now. The first time I can't start my mac in early Auguest.
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Does anyone know what's the problem my computer has? Anything is wrong, power supply? Mainboard?
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Not sure if it will help... but... have a look at this discussion...
https://discussions.apple.com/message/13211438#13211438

MacBook Pro has recently started to crash.

My MacBook Pro has recently started to crash. It sometimes crashes when watching streamed video (youtube/netflix), and will always crash when using high processor programs (e.g. final cut X, Logic Pro) and cannot run any games without crashing. Usually starts running hot before cutting to a blank screen (and any audio starts to loop), and requires a hard reboot.
Any help would be apreciated.
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- Andrew
Hardware Overview:
Version 10.6.8
Model Name:    MacBook Pro
Model Identifier:    MacBookPro6,2
Processor Name:    Intel Core i5
Processor Speed:    2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors:    1
Total Number Of Cores:    2
L2 Cache (per core):    256 KB
L3 Cache:    3 MB
Memory:    4 GB
Processor Interconnect Speed:    4.8 GT/s
Boot ROM Version:    MBP61.0057.B0C
SMC Version (system):    1.58f16
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State:    Enabled
Error report:
Interval Since Last Panic Report: 39772837 sec
Panics Since Last Report:          118
Anonymous UUID:                    85CD0A42-38C0-4DC0-8A74-F2CA85EE41FB
Fri Mar 14 09:18:27 2014
panic(cpu 1 caller 0x5d8b4c9b): NVRM[0/1:0:0]: Read Error 0x00000100: CFG 0xffffffff 0xffffffff 0xffffffff, BAR0 0xc0000000 0x80a47000 0x0a5480a2, D0, P2/4
Backtrace (CPU 1), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x545f9728 : 0x21b837 (0x5dd7fc 0x545f975c 0x223ce1 0x0)
0x545f9778 : 0x5d8b4c9b (0x5daca28c 0x5db3a800 0x5dad8e60 0x0)
0x545f9818 : 0x5d9cf608 (0xa179804 0xa365004 0x100 0x0)
0x545f9868 : 0x5d9c6601 (0xa365004 0x100 0x545f9898 0x5d8a4778)
0x545f9898 : 0x5e0e99a6 (0xa365004 0x100 0x438004ee 0x2024)
0x545f99d8 : 0x5d9ee2b5 (0xa365004 0xa34b004 0x0 0x0)
0x545f9a18 : 0x5d8bde7c (0xa365004 0xa34b004 0x0 0x0)
0x545f9ab8 : 0x5d8ba55b (0x0 0x9 0x0 0x0)
0x545f9c68 : 0x5d8bbaf9 (0x0 0x600d600d 0x704a 0x545f9c98)
0x545f9d38 : 0x5ceb58ff (0x545f9d58 0x0 0x98 0x2a45c9)
0x545f9df8 : 0x5cebb30f (0xa2f2004 0x0 0x98 0x7df3160)
0x545f9f18 : 0x5cebb7a6 (0xa2f2004 0x15d44204 0x464a5ef0 0x8)
0x545f9f78 : 0x5cebba91 (0xa2f2004 0x15d44204 0x464a5ef0 0x545fa1e0)
0x545fa028 : 0x5cecfd83 (0xa2f2004 0x15cb00e8 0x545fa39c 0x545fa1e0)
0x545fa298 : 0x5ceb13f1 (0x4620b000 0x15cb00e8 0x545fa39c 0x1488e400)
0x545fa3f8 : 0x5ceb162f (0x461c7000 0x15cb0000 0x1 0x0)
0x545fa428 : 0x5ceb40ec (0x461c7000 0x15cb0000 0xd0001 0x7e958080)
0x545fa468 : 0x5ced644a (0x461c7000 0x15cb0000 0x4617c280 0x140)
0x545fa4f8 : 0x5cec7c9b (0xdc9d200 0x15cb0000 0x0 0x1)
0x545fa558 : 0x5cec7f02 (0x4617c000 0x4617c788 0x15cb0000 0x0)
0x545fa5a8 : 0x5cec83d6 (0x4617c000 0x4617c788 0x545fa8cc 0x545fa86c)
0x545fa8e8 : 0x5cec51a1 (0x4617c000 0x4617c788 0x1 0x2209aa)
0x545fa908 : 0x5ce8c88f (0x4617c000 0x4617c788 0x15d69e80 0x507617)
0x545fa938 : 0x5cec6c64 (0x4617c000 0x545faa7c 0x545fa968 0x506ad1)
0x545fa978 : 0x5ce90c93 (0x4617c000 0x545faa7c 0x545faa7c 0x545fa9e0)
0x545faab8 : 0x5ceca5d8 (0x4617c000 0x1 0x545fabcc 0x545fabc8)
0x545fab68 : 0x5ce8cfe1 (0x4617c000 0x1 0x545fabcc 0x545fabc8)
0x545fabe8 : 0x56da06 (0x4617c000 0x0 0x545fae3c 0x545fac74)
0x545fac38 : 0x56e2a5 (0x5cf1b720 0x4617c000 0x9082688 0x1)
0x545fac88 : 0x56eb59 (0x4617c000 0x10 0x545facd0 0x0)
0x545fada8 : 0x286638 (0x4617c000 0x10 0x9082688 0x1)
0x545fbe58 : 0x21dbe5 (0x9082660 0x149085a0 0x1f81e8 0x5003)
0x545fbe98 : 0x210a86 (0x9082600 0x0 0x91453b0 0x12abb150)
0x545fbef8 : 0x216f84 (0x9082600 0x0 0x0 0x0)
0x545fbf78 : 0x295c57 (0x14d23f08 0x0 0x0 0x0)
0x545fbfc8 : 0x2a256d (0x14d23f04 0x1 0x10 0x14d23f04)
      Kernel Extensions in backtrace (with dependencies):
         com.apple.GeForce(6.4.0)@0x5ce81000->0x5cf37fff
            dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(6.4.0)@0x5d84e000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.2.1)@0x5cad5000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6.5)@0x54998000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.2.1)@0x5cb31000
         com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal(6.4.0)@0x5dfb3000->0x5e3c7fff
            dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(6.4.0)@0x5d84e000
         com.apple.NVDAResman(6.4.0)@0x5d84e000->0x5db3bfff
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6.5)@0x54998000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.2.1)@0x5cad5000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.2.1)@0x5cb31000
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: mcedit
Mac OS version:
10K549
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 10.8.0: Tue Jun 7 16:33:36 PDT 2011; root:xnu-1504.15.3~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacBookPro6,2 (Mac-F22586C8)
System uptime in nanoseconds: 35255929235626
unload
Model: MacBookPro6,2, BootROM MBP61.0057.B0C, 2 processors, Intel Core i5, 2.4 GHz, 4 GB, SMC 1.58f16
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, PCIe, 256 MB
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics, Intel HD Graphics, Built-In, 288 MB
Memory Module: global_name
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0x93), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.131.42.4)
Bluetooth: Version 2.4.5f3, 2 service, 12 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: AirPort, AirPort, en1
Serial ATA Device: ST9320325ASG, 298.09 GB
Serial ATA Device: MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-898
USB Device: Hub, 0x0424 (SMSC), 0x2514, 0xfa100000 / 2
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x0237, 0xfa120000 / 5
USB Device: Internal Memory Card Reader, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8403, 0xfa130000 / 4
USB Device: BRCM2070 Hub, 0x0a5c (Broadcom Corp.), 0x4500, 0xfa110000 / 3
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8218, 0xfa113000 / 7
USB Device: Hub, 0x0424 (SMSC), 0x2514, 0xfd100000 / 2
USB Device: IR Receiver, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8242, 0xfd120000 / 4
USB Device: Built-in iSight, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8507, 0xfd110000 / 3

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088
You probably have the issue addressed by that article.
Take the computer to Apple or an authorised repairer, tell them that you think it may be the problem mentioned, and they should run a simple pass/fail test.
The service is only for three years after initial purchase, but several users here have reported getting free repairs even after that limit, sometimes after contacting Apple customer relations, pr speaking to an Apple store manager.

My MacBook Pro won't start up. What do I do?

My MacBook Pro won't start up. What do I do?

Try these in order testing your system after each to see if it's back to normal:
1. a. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
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2. Restart the computer in Safe Mode, then restart again, normally. If this doesn't help, then:
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     COMMAND and R keys until the Utilities menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the
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3. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
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Reinstalling Lion/Mountain Lion Without Erasing the Drive
Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
If this does not work, then you will have to erase and reinstall Mountain Lion:
Install or Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion from Scratch
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Erase the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the
      left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
        the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on
      the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
            because it is three times faster than wireless.

Spilled liquid on MacBook Pro - won't start - any suggestions?

spilled liquid on MacBook Pro - won't start - any suggestions?

Thank you both for your responses! I watched a video on how to remove the hard drive - special tork(?) screwdriver and too many steps for me to feel confident about doing it myself, so I took the computer to an Apple Store - and thank God, the hard drive appeared undamaged - they are transferring the data to a new Macbook Pro. The loss of data was the scariest part, so I am breathing again!
The laptop was three years old, I was hoping for another year or so before upgrading, but such is life. I appreciate your upfront advice.

MacBook Pro won't start after changing RAM cards; just beeps.

MacBook Pro will not start after changing RAM cards. It just beeps; then I force it to quit.

The three things that come to mind immediately are that the RAM card isn't seated properly (you should hear or feel a click when it is seated), the RAM is bad or marginal for that Mac model, or you didn't get the correct RAM type.

MacBook Pro Fails to Start Up (Three Strange Beeps)

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