Three beeps and hold

when my macbook pro stays running for a few hours for ie downloading it hangs and starts beeping like three beeps and hold and again
why this is happening ?

yes, my mac mini did exactly the same thing when I upgraded my ram cards. one of the cards wasn't in all the way and it did that 3 beep thing until I pushed it into the receptors more securely.

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Need help!!!! I've got an old mac mini G4 and while adding a cd to itunes, there was a power shortage to the house. Now when I try to reboot I get three beeps and the CD is still stuck in the mac. How do I get the CD out and is that why I am getting beeps

Need help!!!! I've got an old mac mini G4 and while adding a cd to itunes, there was a power shortage to the house. Now when I try to reboot I get three beeps and the CD is still stuck in the mac. How do I get the CD out and is that why I am getting the three beeps?

If you can't eject a CD or DVD or open the drive tray
How do I eject a defective DVD?: Apple Support Communities
How to eject a CD on a MAC mini with PC keyboard and mouse « FAQforge
From:
Mac computers: About startup tones
3 successive tones, a 5 second pause (repeating): This indicates RAM does not pass a data intregrity check.
1 long tone while holding down the power button: Indicates an EFI ROM update is in progress on a computer manufactured before 2012.
3 long tones, 3 short tones, 3 long tones: Indicates EFI ROM corruption is detected and the computer is in EFI ROM recovery mode.

IMac gives three beeps and freezes

My neighbour's iMac starts and runs normally most of the time, but periodically when running emits three beeps and then freezes. This is NOT the usual "three beeps at startup" indicating a RAM problem, but whilst the machine is is actually being used.
Can't seem to find anything about this anywhere. Any ideas, anyone?
(The logic board was replaced very soon after purchase as the machine had all sorts of problems . . .)

My imac mid 2010 worked fine with "new" memory for 6 months, then started hanging in mid-session - meaning it froze and beeped loudly hours or days after it booted OK. Put old memory back in and noticed it ran more smoothly with less memory than more. Put the "new" memory back in and ran memtest for days and days; no problems reported. But, the system still froze after I'd been working for a while - at odd times. So, took the "new" memory back to the store, and, while there, upgraded to (more expensive) Crucial brand memory - just to be on the "safer" side. Put the replacement memory in and my imac has never run better - not even when new. So far, my imac is quieter, cooler, and smoother now than since the day I bought it. Thought I'd post this on this old thread because Apple Care had told me to bring the machine to them for three days of testing - per other posts I'd seen on the net. But, that would have been a complete waste of time - since they'd wind up (with the old memory) telling me "no problem," or, (with the "new" memory,) "it's a non-apple part problem." Meanwhile, bad memory can mean bad writes to your hard drive; mine seems fine, but I generally pay close attention to problems and fix them asap, or, sooner. If you wait until you have additional problems, you may spend a lot more time and money getting things finally done - and you may wind up back at "square one" or worse if you trash your drive and it's contents.

Turning ipod shuffle on, it sounds three beeps and thats it.

Turning on ipod shuffle, 4 gen., it sounds three beeps, that's it. nothing else happens.

JDee -
It does seem I was prematurely expecting a logic board failure - guess it's the bad side of my 'hope for the best, prepare for the worst' philosophy.
I followed the instructions you linked to and removed the RAM module (I only have a 1GB one) from the lower slot and placed it into the upper slot and booted up the PB. And voilá - I got the chime and it booted up just fine (actually, a bit quicker than it used to...). So i decided to back up all my data (as it was a month or so since the last one) before the next step - shutting down, opening the memory access panel, and shifted the module back to the lower slot, while making sure it was pressed in firmly. And it worked.
So it seems all that happened was that the RAM module got loose - which would make sense as the problem occurred shortly after i moved my laptop downstairs to write some emails while watching the telly (TV).
Now I'll wait for a few days to see if everything has sorted itself out (just to be on the safe side), and then think about adding that second 1GB memory module i've been thinking about for some time...
Thanks for the advise and the cool head!
Cheers,
Mika

IMac 20in makes three beeps and fails to boot?

I have just changed the hard drive on my previously working 20in Intel iMac. The drive was pre-formatted and loaded with Mountain Lion using an external dock. The computer functions when fire-wired to another iMac, showing the doners desktop. Now I hear three intermittant beeps when pressing the start button on the 20in iMac. The screen remains dark. (It is assembled, but I have not fitted the aluminium front bezel or the glass yet). It does not respond to any keyboard commands. The memory moduls have been re-inserted firmly. Help please?

Sounds like a RAM problem:
Beeps on startup:
1 beep = no RAM installed
2 beeps = incompatible RAM types
3 beeps = no good banks
4 beeps = no good boot images.
5 beeps = processor is not usable
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2538

Late 2011 17 Inch MacBook Pro Not Booting, Three Beeps When I hold "C"

my late 2011 mbp 17 inch will not boot. In safe mode with verbose it stops at the point looking for my hard drive. Disk utility in single user mode said the SSD has "keys out of order" and could not verify disk etc.
However when I hold "c" aka trying to boot off my optical drive with Snow Leopard in it...it beeps three times, which after searching everyone seems convinced it's memory but I took out my upgraded memory that was in it and put the factory 4gig (2x2gb) sticks back in and it's the same exact thing...three beeps when holding "c".
If I hold nothing my computer shows the apple logo, the spining boot up activity icon, AND a progress bar at the bottom that get's about 1/6th of the way doing whatever it's doing and then it instantly shuts down.
Any other ideas besides the idea that my logic board that is 1 year old randomly stopped working? It's just weird that my 9 month old SSD is not being recognized while at the same time, holding "C" to try and call my optical drive to boot I get three beeps.

Three beeps means a RAM problem - bad RAM.
Intel-based Mac Power On Self Test RAM error beeps
Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2

Screen gets fuzzy and then I get three beeps. what is the cure?

Then when I turn it off and let it rest and try to turn it back on it just gives me the three beeps and no screen

3 beeps?
It means problem with memory. Memory may not be seated properly or memory may be faulty.
It is better to take the MBP to the Apple store.

Beep and blank Screen after 10.4.11 Update

I have a PowerBook G4 that I use for odds and ends; it is not my primary computer. Last night I did some work on it, and when I quit, software update came on with a security update, 10.4.11, and some others (Safari as I recall). I told it to go ahead, and things seemed fine through the entire process until the reboot at the end. When the computer came back on, it gave three beeps and stayed with a black screen and the power light at the base of the screen blinking. This evening I put my 10.4 DVD in the drive and tried to boot from that. No luck (i.e., same behavior), and now the DVD is stuck in the drive.
Ideas? The computer was working fine prior to this.

Hi Charles, and welcome to the forum!
Your HD got hosed pretty bad, you may even have to pull it to get to boot off the Install Disk.
Have you done a PRAM reset...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
Try to restart your computer, hold down Command-s and type in the following:
/sbin/fsck -fy
Enter
(Space before -fy important)
If you can boot from the Install Disk eventually...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot.
The usual reason why updates fail or mess things up, is if Permissions are not fixed before & after every update, with a reboot... you may get a partial update when the installer finds it doesn't have Permissions to change one obscure little part of the OS, leaving you with a mix of OS versions.
Some people get away without Repairing Permissions for years, some for only days.
If Permissions are wrong before applying an update, you could get mixed OS versions, if Directory is the slightest messed up, who knows!
If many Permission are repaired, or any Directory errors are found, you may need to re-apply some the latest/biggest updates.
May even need to do an Archive and Install if you have room on the HD...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120

MacBook Air blank screen, no start-up and three beeps - but now fixed?

Hi - My MacBook Air 2011 11in 64GB wouldn't start up for the last three days. It was working fine, then the screen went bonkers and I turned it off by holding down the power button. When I hit the power button again, there was no start-up, the screen stayed black and there were three beeps, short delay, three beeps again. I Googled and it seemed that it was a RAM problem, so I was planning this morning to take the machine to Dr Apple. But just to be sure there was still a problem, I tried starting it one last time and it started up as normal and seems to be working fine now.
Should I still get it checked out? I had been travelling and using it in some pretty hot temperatures when it died, and it's now back at home where it's cooler - could the problem have been something to do with the heat, do you think?
Don't want to use it if I'm making a problem that's there any worse. Much appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Before taking it, run Apple Hardware Test. If your Mac came with an USB drive, insert it and press D key while your Mac is starting. Then, run an extended test and check if it shows a problem.
If your Mac didn't come with an USB drive, press Option and D keys while your Mac is starting and run an extended test. If you see an error message, copy it here

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 HP Pavilion DV7 wont boot up it beeps three times and blinks 1 time

I have been having problems with my HP Pavilion DV7 for the last several months. When I turn it on I get a black screen. It will beep three times and the caps LED will blink one time. When this first started happening I would turn it off and try to turn it on again. Sometimes it would take turning it off and on several times before it would boot up. Now it will not boot up at all. It just does the same thing every time. When I turn the power on I can hear the fan and the beeps and see the light blink but that is all. I have even tried to turn it on in safe mode but still get the same results.

Hi there @texashunter00
Welcome to the HP Support Forums! It is a great place to find the help you need, both from other users, HP experts and other support personnel.
I understand that your notebook is having trouble booting up properly, and that you are getting a beep/LED code. I am happy to assist you with this.
Assuming the flashing code is a repeating single flash that would indicate a cpu problem. The beeps are commonly indicating a problem with the RAM. Please see the following, and if necessary reseat the memory cards, and see if the problem remains.
Computer does not start and the LEDs blink or the computer beeps
If after checking through this, you are still having the same beep/led codes, I would recommend you call our technical support at 800-474-6836. If you live outside the US/Canada Region, please click the link below to get the support number for your region.
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html
Malygris1
I work on behalf of HP
Please click Accept as Solution if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click Kudos Thumbs Up on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!

IMac making loud beeps and freezes. Only way to shut down is hold power button. Any ideas what might be wrong?

iMac making loud beeps and freezes. Only way to shut down is hold power button. Any ideas what might be wrong?

iMac making loud beeps
Could be the RAM (memory)
Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2

Start up from disc and getting three beeps

I am trying to find out why my Mac keeps freezing and tried to start up from the disc. I am getting 3 beeps and then a pause and three beeps again and so on.
I turned the computer off .

Memory problem. See:
Intel-based Mac Power On Self Test RAM error beeps
Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2

HT3275 My Time Capsule has been backing up without any problems and all of a sudden it stops reading on my computer. The external hard drive beeps three times and the motter wont run within. What happened?

My Time Capsule has been backing up without any problems and all of a sudden it stops reading on my computer. The external hard drive beeps three times and the motter wont run within. The light that usually blinks while in use is no longer blinking and is on constant. What happened?

abailey46 wrote:
My Time Capsule has been backing up without any problems and all of a sudden it stops reading on my computer. The external hard drive beeps three times and the motter wont run within. The light that usually blinks while in use is no longer blinking and is on constant. What happened?
Sorry we are unclear as to the external hard drive and its connection to the TC..
For instance the light that blinks.. is that the TC or external hard disk or what.
Did you try just rebooting / restart the whole network in correct order.. modem.. router / TC.. external drive.. clients with 2min gap between each.
Are you actually running Snow Leopard as the profile states?
How old is the TC?

Three beeps then led flashes and fan is on

Hi. I haven't used my mac in a while and tried turning it on...it beeped three times then the led flashes three times and pauses, and the fan goes on full blast. I found out in my quest for answers that the 3 flashes could mean bad RAM. I have the factory installed RAM...I had some problem with my computer before and an apple tech put in a new logic board. Could this be the problem? I'd like to fix it myself since the tech is a hike away. Any thoughts? Thanks for the help.
PowerMac G5 2ghz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Hi. Well -
Not sure whether you need the FW card for your recording session - but if you remove the FW card, and get the G5 up and stable first - then put back what you need and try it.
I would try to boot from the most recent system disc you have - presumably it came with 10.4 if you have a "Late 2005" dual-core 2GHz G5 with PCI-Express
http://support.apple.com/specs/powermac/PowerMac_G5_Late2005.html
- and Verify, or Repair if necessary, the startup disc
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=DiskUtility/10.5/en/duh1018.html
in case directory corruption has occurred during the various shutdowns and restarts.
If boot problems still persist, it may be worth re-seating the video card, also.
There are threads in the Forum mentioning that FW card
http://discussions.apple.com/search.jspa?objID=c108&search=Go&q=siig+NN-E20012-S 2
There is some discussion there of the power requirements of the connected firewire device - and of the possible need for a separate power connection to the card. It's also possible that the FW card needed re-seating, after the G5 not being used for a while.
It may also help to disconnect anything firewire - iSight, drives, etc. - not needed at this pressing moment...
Have presumed that you don't need Airport for tonight - but if it appears to causing problems with the basic startup, it can be disconnected; although this is more complicated on a dual-core, and to be avoided, if possible.
Anyway - trust some of this helps. Good Luck.

Three beeps and hold

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