Sleep Light flashing continuously

All of a sudden my MacBook pro shutdown last night and the sleep light started to flash about twice a second - continuously - and the display never comes on. I tried restarting a few times but no go. I took the battery out and left it out for the night.
This morning it started up and I started to txfer my latest iTunes purchases when it went off again. Whatever I try, be it target mode, or boot from the install CD, is not working - the display is always off and the sleep light is flashing. Are there any other tricks before I take it to the Apple store? I'd especially like to get some of my latest documents off of it.

the sleep light started to flash about twice a second
Does it make any 'beeps' when flashing ?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=%20303083
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58442

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Sleep light flashes 5 times - no beeps. What does it mean?

I have a white 2008 Macbook 2.4 Ghz. I recently installed 10.6 from scratch via Retail DVD and the Macbook worked fine. I updated via Software Update and installed all the updates that appeared. There was also a Firmware update to install, which I did after the update to 10.6.8.
But since then, the Macbook has serious video problems.
It boots okay, but the sequence is now:
- front sleep light flashes 5 times; there are no error beeps
- I hear the startup chime
- the Apple logo and spinning wheel appear, and bootup continues
- at the point where the screen goes blue, and would normally boot to the desktop, the screen now goes black and the Macbook appears to go to sleep
If I wait for a couple of minutes, when I press a key to wake the Macbook from sleep: the DVD spins up, the sleep light flashes 5 times, and I now see the desktop. But then the screen goes black after about 10 seconds.
Before the screen goes black, I can see that the boot seems to have completed okay. I have a Wifi connection and the date and time are correct.
If I go really fast, I can move the arrow to the Apple icon in the top bar and choose Shut down or Restart.
I can boot from the internal HD, an external FW HD and an Install DVD.
I can hold down the Option key and I get all the bootable volumes to boot from. I can choose any of them, then start the boot process, but at the same point - the blue screen - the screen goes black and the Macbook goes to sleep.
The Macbook works perfectly fine when connected to an external monitor. In the Display preferences, only the external monitor is available. The Macbook monitor is not listed. As well, iSight and Photo Booth report that no camera is connected.
I've found some info on the Apple site re. the 5 sleep light flashes, but it only refers to the Macbook Air, and indicates a problem with the battery.
Has anyone seen this problem with the Macbook?

From EZ Jim's link, there was another link to this info at the Apple site, re. Power on Self-Tests:
The power on self-test resides in the ROM of the computer. This test runs whenever the computer is turned on after being fully shut down (the power-on self-test does not run if the computer is only restarted).
If a fault is detected during the test, you will not hear a normal startup chime. Instead, the system will beep as explained below. If you experience one of these beeps, you may call your Apple Authorized Service Provider for additional troubleshooting assistance.
1 beep = no RAM installed
2 beeps = incompatible RAM types
3 beeps = no good banks
4 beeps = no good boot images in the boot ROM (and/or bad sys config block)
5 beeps = processor is not usable
In addition to the beeps, on some computers the power LED will flash a corresponding number of times plus one. The LED will repeat the sequence after approximately a 5-second pause. The tones are only played once.
As I wrote, I don't get the Error Beeps. I've had these on other Macs, so I know what they are. Here, I only get the LED flashes.
What is interesting above is that they say that the Power LED will flash a corresponding number of times (as the beeps) PLUS ONE. In my case, then, if I got 5 flashes, then might it mean NO GOOD BOOT IMAGES IN THE BOOT ROM?
Anyway, it doesn't seem to have the flashing LED problem any more. No idea where to go from here.

My Macbook pro, (late 2010) sometimes will sleep and won't wake up. then the sleep light flashes.What's the problem?

My Macbook pro, (late 2010) sometimes will sleep and won't wake up. then the sleep light flashes.What's the problem

Hi I've been following this thread (along with a different one on the same topic). I've been having the same problem with my ibook. I can add that I have no problem with startup. It's just that the screen "goes to sleep" unexpectedly and may operate normally for a few minutes or a few hours at most. Opening and closing the lid or restarting seems to cause it to awaken but then usually for just a few seconds or minutes. If it is connected to another video display that display continues functioning fine even though the computer screen is blank. In addition the desktop is there and visible faintly or if totally blank can be backlit through the apple logo and can be read. I've had my logic board replaced twice under the extended warranty and assumed it was that but now I'm thinking of the reed switch. Apple refuses to consider any further work under warranty as the last repair was in Jan, 06 and they claim only a 90 parts warranty and the machine is from 03. Any thoughts before I cut the wires? I have reset the pmu, run cocktail and disk utility. Other than the sleep issue the machine works fine. thanks Ronda or anyone else who has any ideas... Dave

Tv screen only says ITunes and light flashes continually. Can't use.

Tv screen only says ITunes and light flashes continually. Can't use the system.

It is telling you to connect to iTunes via micro usb, as it needs to be restored
Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Restoring your Apple TV - Apple Support

MXI-4 RX-TX Lights Flash continuously

I have a relatively new NI PXI-PCI8336 MXI-4 system I am troubleshooting. The system user a fiber connection in a PXI-1042Q chassis. This is identical to two other systems we have put into service, but I'm having some intermittent communications issues here. One thing we've noticed that with this installation the Rx and Tx lights begin flashing immediately and continuously when our PC boots, whereas on the others these only flash when we have application software to communicate with daughter boards running. I curious if there's a sense if this communication on bootup is normal behavior for the MXI-4 and how to evaluate communication at bootup? Thanks.
Tony

Tony,
You should expect Tx/Rx flashes when you power on the PC, during BIOS POST, and several times during Windows boot. These will usually be small bursts as things are configured. Once you've logged in and finished with all the device installation prompts it will usually be quiet until you launch application software.
Because PCI uses shared interrupts, there are times when something in the chassis will share an interrupt with something else that generates interrupts periodically or sporadically. When any device asserts an interrupt, the OS will call interrupt handlers for all devices that share that interrupt, and the interrupt handlers will check their hardware to see if it needs service (thus flashing the Tx/Rx lights). I had a system where Tx/Rx blinked every second when the chassis was idle because something on the motherboard was periodically interrupting. It didn't cause any real harm, other than annoying me.
Does that sound like what you're seeing? Have you tested the system with a different model PC? You could try with a single board in the chassis to see if you're getting the traffic, and test the board in four adjacent slots (4 tests that differ only in where you put the card). Use sequential slots on the PXI-1042Q, because the four interrupt pins are rotated between slots. That way you'll test the card with every interrupt line in the chassis and see if that's what causes the traffic.
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Please help: iMAC doesn't recognize TC. Amber light flashes continuously

This is my second day trying to install Time Capsule. Some background: I have an Arris brand Comcast cable modem. Internet service is fine when I connect the modem directly to the iMac, but not when I run it through Time Capsule. Air Port utility scan comes back saying it can't locate a wireless device. I've double and triple checked all cable and power connections. In addiion I've installed and reinstalled the Time Capsule software, with no effect. I also followed the following steps:
1. Unplugged the power cable from the TC
2. Unplugged the cable modem and hit the reset button
3. Waited more than 2 minutes
4. Connected ethernet cable to modem; and to iMac
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5. Restored power to TC
Still no effect: iMac doesn' recognize TC
I also bypassed the modem and directly connected the iMac to the TC. Light continues to flash amber. I also turned on Time Machine from the dock. Predictably, I got an error message that the storage device oouldn't be found.
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you need to call your ISP and have them release the DHCP lease on the mac address of your PC and allow the mac address of your TC to join the nestwork.
You PC 's mac address currently has the DHCP lease.

My computer starts turning on with a black screen and the sleep light flashes, then the old screen from when my battery died shows up behind like a blue screen, then it dies again and wont restart? And yes my computer is fully charged now, HELP!

So the problem now is in the question, but just before this problem the initial issue was my computer would start and turn on but the backlight appeared to be on its dimmest setting I could barely make out icons and the last page I viewed. Please help I'm in college and did not back up everything plus I desparately need my microsoft office for these classes! Thank you!!!

Hi kmdmsu08,
If your computer's not turning completely on, I would try the steps in this article, especially step 4:
Troubleshooting: My computer won't turn on
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1367
Take care!
- Ari

Wont boot: I get beeps and flashing sleep light

The PB-T boots to a beeping noise and then the sleep light flashes once: long, then 3 short flashes.
I reseated the RAM and swapped RAM, to no avail.
Wont boot from anything even install disks. Did the PRAM too (which never does anything). Tried the reset switch on the back too. Nothing.
Ideas? I remember the beeps are usually related to RAM. no?
Steve

Hi Steve,
It sounds like you have no good RAM banks, which basically means a new/replacement LB. May not be cost-effective for an older TiBook to replace the LB.
Beep Definitions

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Hi this is my first Apple Product and my first issue so I hope you guys can help me with it.
I was given a 15-inch Macbook Pro July 2010 as a gift for making it to college. Last night, after opening up my Macbook from a sleep state with the adapter plugged in, the charger light suddenly goes out. I've tested the charger and determined that it's dead. At the time, I was somewhat peeved but I understand that electronics can be erratic at times and I wasn't in dire need of it. This afternoon however, I forgot that the adapter didn't work so while working on homework it suddenly crashes. I ask my roommate if I could borrow his charger (knowing that it works on my MBP since I tested it the previous night) and when I attempt to turn it on I notice that the charging light is still green, the computer has its sleep light flashing at regular intervals and (I assume) the hard drive starting then dying.
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Any help would be appreciated since I have some unfinished homework.
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If a SMC reset does not bring life to your MBP, bring it in for service:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
Ciao.

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Can't get my 15" MBP to run (just get a blue screen). Can anybody tell me what it indicates when the sleep light flashes 3 times quickly repeatedly with the screen open?

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
The flashing light tells you that you have a RAM problem:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2341
Try reseating the RAM and see if that fixes it. If not, you might have to replace your RAM, but since RAM generally has a lifetime warranty, it shouldn't cost you anything.
Good luck!

2011 MacBook Pro-Sleep light blinks 3 times, doesn't start

Hi there, I was just given a 2011 MacBook Pro 15'-8GB RAM, 2.2Ghz...the medium spec'd model if I am correct. It worked fine for a little while, but now whenever I plug it into power, it does one of two things. Either it attempts to come on, hard drive spins up...and then the sleep light flashes 3 times and it powers down. OR, as soon as it gets plugged in it powers cycles indefinately until I unplug it. The sleep light comes on for maybe a second, and the hard drive spins up, then it shuts back off and repeats this until I unplug it.
Nothing has been changed from it's stock configuration to I am relatively sure that it isn't a simple RAM problem.
Any help is appreciated.
Please note that I have already tried things like clearing the SMC and reseating the RAM.

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What is wrong with apple tv when the blue light flashes quickly

I am having trouble with my apple tv device. The blue light flashes continuously and will not reset at all.

Welcome to the Apple Community.
You might try restarting the Apple TV by removing ALL the cables for 30 seconds.

Express Amber light flashing

I have "installed" the Airport Express to my wireless network. However, the amber light flashes continuously no matter what. It has never established a green light. It shows up separately from the "network" through my Airport Extreme and does not work simultaneously with my network to allow me access to both the internet and iTunes through my stereo. What am I doing wrong?

Simple answer - the network isn't set up properly. Though it wasn't 100% clear from your message, I am going to assume you already had a working wireless network with an Airport Extreme Base Station.
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http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044
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2. Run the Airport Setup Assistant. Use its guidance to configure your Airport Express as a new base station that "joins" the existing wireless network created by the Airport Extreme Base Station.
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Hello Kardsy,
The links below detail how to restore both the 1st generation Apple TV and the 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TVs.
Apple TV (1st generation): How to perform a factory restore
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3199
Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Restoring your Apple TV
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4367
Cheers,
Allen

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I took the MacBook Pro OS 10.5.8 (Leopard) to the APPLE STORE and it was working, but the Mail Program settings were all messed up since I connected with iCloud. So they fixed the settings. and it was working. They checked something else and said OK, all set. But it would not shut off. They took it in the back looking for the problem and after about 20 min. brought it back out saying that the problem was defective 3rd party memory, which was
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Sleep Light flashing continuously

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