My Powerbook is beeping

My powerbook is beeping every 2 seconds or so very quietly. I wasn't even sure it was the computer until the beeping stopped every time I put it in sleep mode.
Anyone have this problem or know what it is?

Hi vio79,
The beep usually means a sick or dieing hard drive. Is your machine running abnormally slow? Slow start up, spinning wheel on opening apps, etc. Try running a maintenance program. It 'may' help resurect your HD. Here's a link to Onyx. Install it and run 'automation'. Make sure you install the correct version for your OS.
http://www.titanium.free.fr/pgs/english.html

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Mysterious PowerBook 'three-beep' problem

Hi
This question relates to my girlfriend's G4 PowerBook, which runs OSX 10.4 (not sure which issue). Since yesterday the computer has refused to boot up. When the power button is pressed the fan briefly makes a louder-than-usual sound, then is silent. This is followed by three mid-pitch beeps, one after the other and all of the same tone (I have never heard any Mac emit this sound). Then nothing. The screen remains blank, and no further sound is heard.
I should mention that she often runs the PowerBook from its battery (but I've been attempting to reboot whilst the battery is fully charged and still attached to the mains). Despite appearing to be switched off, the keyboard area becomes extremely hot after the attempted bootup – and I mean barely touchable.
Does anyone know anything about these odd three-beeps, or what they mean?
I'd be really grateful for any advice. Thanks, De

Thanks for this – it sounds like exactly what I was talking about. Also, when I remove the additional memory chips from the back of the PowerBook and attempt startup, there is then only one beep. The article you refer to seems to back this up too.
Thanks, De

Powerbook suddently beeps 3 times and wont startup

My older powerbook G4 was working fine, then as I went to start it up it beeped 3 times, then seemed like it went to sleep, the light now flashes 4 times at intervals.
What does it mean, is it fixable?
Thank you
V

The three beeps at startup means no good RAM is being detected.
Remove your RAM module(s) and then firmly reinsert it/them. Does that improve matters?

Powerbook - 3 beeps

Hi, I have a problem starting my Powerbook (15-inch G4). When I press the power button, the computer makes 3 beeps and the Sleep light flashes 4 times. I've followed the tips for restarting the Power Manager and so on, nut no luck. Does anyone know what's going on (with my Powerbook, I mean)?
--Peter

You have a RAM problem. There are numerous threads on this subject - try a search. The usual prescription is:
1) If you have installed additional RAM remove it and see if that's what is causing the problem.
2) If both upper and lower slots are filled try removing the sticks one at a time.
3) If only your lower slot is occupied you have probably fallen victim to a
well-documented hardware failure which will entail a trip to the Apple Doctor.

Powerbook does not power up 4 beeps...

I've been going through these topics trying to figure out what is wrong with my powerbook, but haven't really found out much, in part due to the vast amount of posts and also because of my faltering internet (thank you Comcast). Anyway, last night my computer shut down and when I restarted made 4 tones and wouldn't. But then I tried again and it worked. But this morning it did the same thing, 4 beeps, and now won't start up at all.
Based on the other posts I have found that these four beeps mean my computer has "no good boot images in the boot ROM." Ok great. I have a general knowledge of macs, but apparently less than I thought because I have no idea what that means. Can anyone enlighten me in more colloquial terms? Is this a reasonable problem for me to fix myself? Or to have fixed by the Apple store tomorrow? Or is this the end of my powerbook's life?
Thanks guys.

That means that the instructions which tell the computer how to operate don't appear to contain the steps needed for it to reach the point where it can transfer control to Mac OS X or another installed OS. This issue probably can't be resolved by end users.
(23822)

Powerbook beeps and flashes on startup the NOTHING!

Hi there,
My powerbook froze last night and I turned it off by holding down the power button. I then left it for a few minutes and turned it back on. The machine made the usual noise when once i pressed the power but then made a noise of 3 beeps and the white light at the front flashed about 4 times.
The display is black and nothing else happens. Just a continuing flashin light on the front.
Can anyone help?

Also, if swapping the two RAM sticks does let you boot, check "About this Mac" on the Apple menu afterwards to make sure your Mac is still seeing all the RAM-- if it's only seeing half, you might have the dreaded lower memory slot failure.

Al PowerBook 1GHz - 4 Beeps at Startup - is it Fixable ?

i've got a Al PowerBook G4 1GHz, when i press the power button it will beep 4 times (and flash 5 times) - this should be a faulty boot rom - is thera any way to fix this?
i have some technical knowledge, repaired many cell phones (hardware and software issues), also did some logicboard repairs on imacs and macbooks
would be nice to save this great looking piece of technic

HI and Welcome to Apple Discussions...
should be a faulty boot rom
According to this link you are correct: Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2
According to that link contacting an Apple certified provider or taking it into an Apple store is probably your best bet.
would be nice to save this great looking piece of technic
Totally agree. PBG4 is a workhorse.
Carolyn

PowerBook G4 - Won't Start Up - 3 Strange Beeps then just LED flashes and sudden death - black screen.

PowerBook G4 - Won't Start Up - 3 Strange Beeps then just LED flashes and sudden death - black screen.
Prior that the powerbook also couldn't start but I could see the Apple logo, so via fire-wire (holding T at start up) I backed up the hard disk.
Check via DiskToolPro the structure, defragmented. Via DiskWarrior rebuild the directory
and finally not been able to access the drive I reformatted the drive via fire-wire drive.
Re-started the powerbook holding C to boot up from DVD - nothing
Re-started again and it give me one long beep and black screen. An indication that my 1gig RAM is bad or gone (?) and the DVD is stuck inside.
Bought new one 1 gig, installed it and now I'm getting only three beeps.
I tried all, changed the slots several times and nothing.
I tried more as:
                         c -- to boot from CD (again while the DVD is still inside and I cannot get it out)
                         cmd-opt-p-r -- to Zap the PRAM,
                         cmd-opt-n-v -- to clear NV RAM,
                         cmd-opt-o-f -- to boot into open firmware … and nothing. The DVD is in and I have
                                                black screen with three beeps and flashing LED.
Do I have to replace the Logic Board?   (Anyone has a spare one ?)
But it is the faulty Logic board?
Could anyone help me out? Please.
I'm retired and I cannot afford a new laptop - and this powerbook was a great, great horse for me until that horrible set of three beeps.
Thank you in advance for any advice and help.
Martin
THE SPECS OF MY POWERBOOK:
Model Family:
Powerbook G4 Aluminum
Processor:
1.67GHz G4 (PowerPC 7457B)
Manufacturer:
Motorola
# of CPUs:
1
Codename:
Apollo 7
Display:
Size:
15.2"
Finish:
Matte
Resolution:
1280x854
Backlight:
CCFL
Base Memory:
1gig PC2700 SODIMM
Brand:
Apple
Wireless:
802.11b/g
Color(s):
Aluminum
Original OS:
Mac OS X 10.6.3
Battery:
50-watt-hour removable lithium-ion battery
Graphics:
ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (64MB)
Base Storage:
80GB 5400RPM EIDE 2.5"
Optical Drive:
8x Superdrive
Model Number:
A1106
Sales Number(s):
M9677LL/A
Machine Number(s):
PowerBook5,6
Dimensions:
13.7 in x 9.5 in x 1.1 in
Weight:
5.6 lb
Production:
Jan 31, 2005 - Oct 19, 2005
Factory:
China
Production Year:
2005
Production Week:
35 (September)
Production Number:
4240

But it is the faulty Logic board?
There was a known issue with LBs in 15-inch PowerBooks with 1.5 and 1.67Ghz processors in which one RAM slot would fail. There once was a repair extension program that fixed the problem at no cost, but it is long-expired.
The problem with seeking a used logic board for these models is that so many had their boards replaced that it increases the chances of the boards in the used/pulled markets having the same problem you have now. The replacement program also came close to exhausting the supply of new boards,
If it turns out to be a bad LB and you can't find a replacement, consider how used computer pricing works: A used computer is worth hugely more in parts than if bought as a working unit. I.E, you can probably find a working PowerBook that will cost less than the logic bard alone. It also possible to find a used MacBook Pro for less that a replacement LB.
If you tell us your approximate geographic location, we can see what's available nearby. I'm also retired, and and visiting my wife's family this week so have even more time than usual to help you search.
Regards,
Allan Jones

Powerbook froze shut down, and now will only beep three times but that's al

Please someoneone help me!!!!! I don't know what to do. It froze up on me while online (only checking my email on yahoo, nothing strange or anything) I tried force quiting (and got nothing) then did a force shut down. Now when I start it up I ear three long beeps and that's it. The computer is definitly still on (the front latch button flashes a whole bunch of times every few seconds) and I can turn it off and on again, but the screen doesn't come on, and I can't get anywhere past those three beeps. I'm a poor college kids and can't afford to just go out there and buy a new computer. Please someone tell me what to do. I'm extremely desperate.
Clay Ross
[email protected]
powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

3 beeps indicates a RAM problem... do a search on "3 beeps" and you should find a bunch of posts on the topic. Generally, the recommendations are:
1) check to make sure the RAM is fully seated
2) remove any 3rd party RAM and see if that helps
3) if you have two RAM sticks installed, try removing first one, and then the other.
4) if you only have RAM in the lower slot, there's a known issue with lower RAM slot failure- time to take the PB to the shop.
Katrina

Powerbook makes clunky noise, beep and won't start up

My pb gets to the grey screen and won't load up. It makes a clunky noise from the left side of the computer, and fairly often a beep when I try to start it up. I believe that it was my EyeTV (hardware and software) that caused the problem, but I just want to get it started back up again. I've scrolled through heaps of entries. My AHT had everything pass. I've done the repair permissions, and repair disk. I've done a safe boot, which just took longer for the clunky noise and beep to begin. So does anyone have any further sugestions?
Btw, the clunky noise occurred on a number of occasions when the computer was working, but this was when I was using my brand new EyeTV (for DTT) with Panther compatible software.
Thanks
Powerbook 12" Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Is your data backed up? If not, I'd back it up if you have the opportunity to. The drive may be beginning to fail. Hopefully not.

Powerbook 17 inch beeping!!!!!! HELP!

Today my powerbook started making some soft beeps internally not from the speakers... i bought it at the Apple store in houston on Novembert and they isntalled the aditional 1GB of ram.. it was working great!! until today.. I checked Hardware test and came ok.. so i dont know what is wrong...
It beeps when Im typing a document in texedit, word and right now at this forum...
whats wrong...
Please Help..

This issue is starting to "sound" (pun) more like a hardware glich even though you ran the hardware test.
I would hesitate (for now) doing a complete clean by Onyx, since nearly all your settings and preferences would have to be redone ... a pain!
Rather than continue to perform trial & error approaches (with the risk of really creating bigger problems), return to the Apple Store in Houston and have the tech check-out each RAM module and the PB itself.
You could try one more thing first: after shutting down the PB, remove power cable, remove the battery, discharge the static (see PB manual for RAM installation info), carefully remove the RAM cover plate (use a very small Phillips screwdriver or small eyeglass screwdriver), carefully remove RAM modules, switch their position and FIRMLY reseat each RAM module.
Replace the RAM cover plate without stripping the screws ... put back the battery ... plug in the power cable ... reboot.
If that doesn't help .... on to Houston!
DIXIE
iMacG4/800MHz/60GBHD/768MB;12PB/867MHz/60GBHD/1.12GB; G3/256MB Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Powerbook turns on and beeps, nothing else

I've had my Powerbook since late summer and it's been working fine up until this morning.
I put the computer to sleep last night like I always do, then when I tried to bring it back from sleep this morning it was nonresponsive. I restarted and it worked fine for a minute, then a message came up that said it needed to restart, so I did another restart. This happened once more, before the computer would no longer reboot.
Now all it does whe I turn it on is make the usual initial signs of functioning, then it beeps three times and stays black.
Does anyone know whats going on here?
(Resetting the PMU has absolutely no effect whatsoever)

This may apply to you. Three beeps is a symptom of the "Bad Memory Slot" syndrone.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303173
...and this
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=318677&tstart=0
...and this
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=227329&tstart=0

Powerbook isnt turning on but it is beeping!

My powerbook has stopped wroking, it is just beeping three times when i turn the powerbook on, it sounds like three really loud tones more than beeps. And then the light ont he front of the pbook is flashing a few times. I've read taht its a problem with my ram, so i thought take me ram out lets make sure its all in properly, still notihng, so i thought, lets just put one card in and boot up, nothing, so tried different combinations etc, nothing. Does anybody have any suggestions? I could really really do witha quick fix as my uni work needs to be printed off it and the deadline si monday, so any type of suggestion would be great. Thanks

You can take the machine to any AASP. Click on the Support Site Map link at the bottom of this page and find the link to search for an AASP near you. You will most likely have to make an app't at an Apple Store, but there may be carry-in service elsewhere.
I don't know how much it might cost to replace the logic board. I do know that the part itself can be obtained for roughly $800 (£460) in the US.
Getting your data off the machine might be a problem if the machine won't boot. It is very likely totally intact on the HD, but unless and until you can get the HD to mount, either on its own, via target disk mode while it's attached to your iMac, or in some other way, you'll either have to wait until the machine is repaired (if indeed I'm correct in my assumption here) or it is removed and installed into a FW enclosure. Maybe the AASP can help there, especially if you have an external drive you can bring in with the machine.
Good luck!

Powerbook G4 Start Up Problems 3 Beeps

My daughter has a 15" Powerbook G4, it froze up while she was using it and now when I try to start it up it beeps 3 times and then.....nothing, the screen won't even light up. Any suggestions to what it might be and how to get it working again?

3 beeps means the Powerbook can't find any good memory. If reinserting the RAM, or swapping RAM, or starting with one RAM module in one slot or in the other slot doesn't work, then either the one or two RAM modules have gone bad, or there is a logic board issue.

Powerbook G4: three small beeps and no start-up

My son has a Powerbook G4, purchased in July of 2004.
I believe it's a 1.5GHz processor, with 512 RAM, running (I think) Tiger.
It was working fine, but yesterday he went to start it up and all he gets are three small, but distinct, beeps, followed by silence and a black screen. The small white power indicator in the screen latch button then blinks four times, holds solid (white) for a few seconds, blinks four more times, etc.
I've tried a PRAM reset. No go.
Anyone know what these three beeps mean and what, if anything, we can do to get up and running.
thanks

Anyone know what these three beeps mean
See *Power On Self-Test Beep Definition* http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1547 The blinking LED is also described.
I believe that the RAM is not being recognized. Has the PB been dropped. To reseat the RAM, look at the instructions at this link. http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Browse/PowerBook
 Cheers, Tom

My Powerbook is beeping

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