Three loud beeps on startup

I have been experiencing three loud beeps on startup with my Macbook Pro.
Aftter the beeps, the computer stays on a blank screen until I force a shutdown and restart, sometimes taking 3 tries to get past the beeps. Otherwise, It runs great, never crashes or locks up.
I tried reseating the RAM (2-1 gig dimms) after someone told me they thought that the distinctive 3-beep warning was a "bad ram" message. That did not make a difference.
Does anyone know what this may mean?
Thanks,
Dave Kowalski
[email protected]

2nd that - first check the ram is firmly seated - sometimes it's not all the way in the slots..
Take a look here;
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58442
Best of luck.

Similar Messages

When starting the computer I get the dong but then it stops with three loud beeps as the light in the front flashes in line with the beeps. The beeps repeat till switching off

When starting the computer I get the dong but then it stops with three loud beeps as the light in the front flashes in line with the beeps. The beeps repeat till switching off

Check out this Apple support article https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1547

Three loud beeps

What do three loud beeps or tones mean? Every once in a while my computer makes this sound and won't respond. When I manually restart, everything is fine - so far.

This behavior is usually attributed to a problem with the RAM in the computer. Often times the RAM is not making a (good) connection. With user installable RAM one can sometimes reseat the modules to cure this problem.
How old is your Macbook Air? If it is a recent model with permanently attached RAM, your only recourse is to take it in for servicing.
charlie

What does it mean when my laptop freezes and has three loud beeps?

I've been trying to fix my MacBook Pro for awhile now. It started with taking my laptop to the "geniuses" at my local Apple Store. They replaced the logic board. But when I took it home, it made some loud beeps while it was being used. After a lot of drama with the "geniuses", I gave up dealing with them. I shoved the MacBook in my closet and bought myself a windows laptop. Now I have need for the MacBook. After some research, I decided to replace the RAM, since that seems to be the most common problem that causes the three loud beeps. The beeps never happen when you boot up the laptop, but during use. The beeps continue and I'm at a loss for what it could be.
Any suggestions?

Funny enough, I just turned on the laptop to get the info you requested, to find out that it had a kernel panic when I last shut it down. I hope it helps, because I can't make heads or tails of it.
Sat Feb 28 22:59:52 2015
*** Panic Report ***
panic(cpu 2 caller 0xffffff801bc1e80a): Kernel trap at 0xffffff7f9c754845, type 13=general protection, registers:
CR0: 0x000000008001003b, CR2: 0x00007fff8be048aa, CR3: 0x000000020dfe7000, CR4: 0x0000000000002660
RAX: 0xff803268fad24b58, RBX: 0x0000000000001004, RCX: 0xffffff802ff68010, RDX: 0x0000000000082b22
RSP: 0xffffff8126623ea0, RBP: 0xffffff8126623ed0, RSI: 0x0000000000000074, RDI: 0xffffff801c229d60
R8: 0x0000000000989257, R9: 0xffffff811d6cc068, R10: 0x0000001b22a495f8, R11: 0x0000001b220c03a1
R12: 0x000000000118eb00, R13: 0x0000000000000004, R14: 0x0000000000000000, R15: 0xffffff802ff68000
RFL: 0x0000000000010282, RIP: 0xffffff7f9c754845, CS: 0x0000000000000008, SS: 0x0000000000000010
Fault CR2: 0x00007fff8be048aa, Error code: 0x0000000000000000, Fault CPU: 0x2
Backtrace (CPU 2), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff811d61de10 : 0xffffff801bb3a811
0xffffff811d61de90 : 0xffffff801bc1e80a
0xffffff811d61e050 : 0xffffff801bc3a443
0xffffff811d61e070 : 0xffffff7f9c754845
0xffffff8126623ed0 : 0xffffff7f9c755fa1
0xffffff8126623f30 : 0xffffff801c03ef32
0xffffff8126623f50 : 0xffffff801c04dcb2
0xffffff8126623fb0 : 0xffffff801bc3ac46
      Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
         com.apple.kec.pthread(1.0)[DB4D4632-FD2B-3FAE-86D3-3432DCDB7FA9]@0xffffff7f9c74 f000->0xffffff7f9c75afff
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: Finder
Mac OS version:
14B25
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 14.0.0: Fri Sep 19 00:26:44 PDT 2014; root:xnu-2782.1.97~2/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: 89E10306-BC78-3A3B-955C-7C4922577E61
Kernel slide:     0x000000001b800000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff801ba00000
__HIB text base: 0xffffff801b900000
System model name: MacBookPro6,2 (Mac-F22586C8)
System uptime in nanoseconds: 116535419089
last loaded kext at 14140196817: com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.70 (addr 0xffffff7f9e09f000, size 32768)
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com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.70
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com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 267.0
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Model: MacBookPro6,2, BootROM MBP61.0057.B0F, 2 processors, Intel Core i7, 2.66 GHz, 8 GB, SMC 1.58f17
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics, Intel HD Graphics, Built-In, 288 MB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, PCIe, 512 MB
Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz, 0x859B, 0x435434473353313036374D2E4D3136464B44
Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz, 0x859B, 0x435434473353313036374D2E4D3136464B44
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0x93), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.100.24)
Bluetooth: Version 4.3.1f2 15015, 3 services, 27 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en1
Serial ATA Device: ST750LX003-1AC154, 750.16 GB
Serial ATA Device: MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-898
USB Device: Hub
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
USB Device: Internal Memory Card Reader
USB Device: BRCM2070 Hub
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller
USB Device: Hub
USB Device: Built-in iSight
USB Device: IR Receiver
Thunderbolt Bus:

Blank Screen And Really Loud Beep On Startup..

Hi,
2 days ago I formated my iMac and installed fresh Snow leopard, after finishing installing and going through the software update, machine restart, then i got Blank Screen and Really Loud Beep then after 20 second got the gray screen and mac start normally, but this happening now each time i start up my iMac, and it is really irratating..... I start up from snowleopard disk and check Hard disk and permission; It is ok, then I did hardware test; and result is OK,
Please Please anyone know How to get red of this....

Hi Eric,
No i didnt install anyhing or add anything; i checked Diagnostics:
Apple Hardware Test:
Last Run:          01/08/4011 21:08
Version:          3A157
Result:          Passed
Power On Self-Test:
Last Run:          02/08/2011 00:14
Result:          Passed

Loud beeps NOT during startup...

In the past few weeks I have experienced 3-4 times where my computer would suddenly lock up and repeatedly emit a series of three LOUD beeps. I need to hold down the power button in order to shut the computer off. After restart, Safari seems to hang. If I close a couple tabs, the problem disappears. In looking at the logs, it appears it may be related to "WebProcess"? Has anybody else experienced this, know possible reasons or solutions?
27" 2010 iMac with 12GB RAM running OSX Lion

I experienced the same issue: my 21" iMac 3.6 GHz i5 with 8GB RAM and Mac OS X 10.7.1 freezes (only when I'm using Adobe Flash, either CS3 or CS5) and emits a sequence of three loud beeps, repeatedly. The cursor does not move on the screen, and the iMac must be forced to power down and restart. Here is a sound recording of the beeps:
http://macboy.com/mac-three-beeps.mp3
I ran the disk diagonstic tool that came on the Installation DVD, but it did not turn up any memory issues or logic board problems, even in extended diagnosis mode.
The freeze problem has been happening occasionally, but usually without the beeps. Instead it had been a cacaphony of random loud digital crunchy bit sounds.

I think my MBP died. random freezes, three beeps at startup, etc.

Yeah....Yesterday my MBP started freezing up randomly, but there didn't seem to be a problem with the windows boot camp partition.
Today, I had a big event so I couldn't use my laptop, but I got home a couple of hours ago and started using it (in OSX)...and eventually started freezing again.
It would only happen when I was typing something (on a website, iChat, Adium, etc.). When it froze, it froze: no mouse movement, keyboard input, clock would stay still, wouldn't even respond to closing the lid. So after a few "turn on, use computer for 2 min, force power off" cycles, I tried to turn it on to the wonderful sound of three loud beeps....pause...three loud beeps.
That can't be good, right?
Is there anything I can do?
Message was edited by: your faec

Yes. The first thing to try is removing and reseating the RAM modules. Poorly seated RAM modules are a common cause of the problem you're having.
It's also possible that you've got bad RAM installed. If you've upgraded it yourself, try reinstalling the original modules and see if that solves the problem. If you have not upgraded the RAM, or you don't have other modules to try, remove one module at a time and try booting the MBP with only one stick of RAM. Be sure to try a single stick in each of the two RAM slots.

3 loud beeps when I try to start MacBook Pro

Backed up my MacBook pro running snow leopard. trashed a bunch of old files. everything was running fine.
I shut down and restarted.
It makes the tone but no apple icon. Then three loud beeps over and over. Sounds scary.
Never had this before. What does it mean? It sounds serious.
Thank you,,
Patrice

Hi Patrice,
That usually indicates a problem with RAM.
Try troubleshootingthe RAM. Shut down. Disconnect power adapter and remove battery. If the RAM youhave installed is not the RAM provided by Apple, remove that RAM and installthe Apple-supplied RAM. If you don't have the Apple-supplied RAM, or youalready have the Apple-supplied RAM installed, remove one module, try booting,move that module to the other slot, try booting, repeat with other module.
Ifneither RAM module works in either slot, then there are almost certainly otherhardware issues (usually the logic board, which covers a plethora ofpossibilities; unfortunately, the fix for almost any LB issue is to replace theentire LB), as the odds of both RAM modules and/or both slots being faulty areextremely low (but possible).

HELP! W500 dead. Ran system update, restarted itself, makes 3 loud beeps and thats it!

I just changed my hard drive, stuck in a windows 7 cd, installed it successfully. Installed chrome, dropbox and system update. Ran Lenovo system update, and at some point the computer restarted itself, made three loud beeps (long followed by two short) and thats it.
The bluetooth light is on, as is the power on, battery, and charger lights. Screen is dead.
What happened? What are those three beeps? What do i do?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Turns out my new hard drive is loose. Have to do something to make sure it doesn't move around.
That was a scary moment.

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

3 times loud beeping sound after press on button but never startup (mac min

I'm having trouble startup my mac mini(not intel duo core)... i had a hard reboot (popup a grey/black on the screen asking to restart by pressing the start button) which i did hold the start button then release then press to start up... but after that, there's 3 times loud beeping sound which i've never heard before and after that screen in blank and my mac mini wont start up.. The LED light indicator is on but i'll keeping blinking 4 times every 30 seconds or so... could anyone help me to resolve the issue?
Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.3.9)
Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Three beeps at startup indicate 'no good banks', meaning the system can't access the RAM.
It may be that your RAM itself is bad, or that it has come unseated. It could also indicate a more serious motherboard fault which prevents the RAM being accessed, but that is unlikely.
If you have opened the mini in the past it may be that the best way to check is to do so again and ensure the RAM is properly seated by removing it and reinserting. If you replaced the original RAM and still have the original stick, try putting that back in. Also note that Macs are typically very sensitive to RAM incompatibilities, and there have been cases where systems fail as yours appears to have done for no reason other than that a RAM stick was marginal in compatibility.
If you upgraded the RAM yourself and bought the replacement stick from a source such as Crucial.com which permits unconditional exchanges, contact them and arrange to have the memory replaced.
The link to the Apple page referring to the startup error beeps is at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58442

Very loud beep (not at startup)

I was working on my iMac today, and all of a sudden, it made a loud beep. This was so loud everyone in the room nearly jumped out of their skin. This is not like the tone you hear when making a firmware update, it's something completely different. It was more of a buzzing sound than a clear tone, and it happened after the machine had been on a few hours. Everything seems to be fine, but I really want to know what that was all about. Has anyone encountered this?

Thanks. I can see where I rebooted, which I assume is where it says "Shutdown NOW!" (sounds a little too urgent for a voluntary shutdown). Some stuff happened with Google Chrome and Photoshop (weird, since I was using InDesign at the time). A quick Google search reveals that exit code 1 is generic and doesn't really tell you anything. I don't know what "headlights" is. So it seems like it could be Chrome or something Adobe, but I'm not sure what to make of this so it's not all that helpful.
4/2/10 10:49:39 AM com.apple.launchd[76]
([0x0-0xb20b2].com.adobe.headlights.LogTransport2App[3804]) Exited with exit code: 1
4/2/10 10:49:39 AM com.apple.launchd[76]
([0x0-0x48048].com.google.Chrome[743]) Stray process with PGID equal to this dead job: PID 779 PPID 1 Google Chrome He
4/2/10 10:49:41 AM
[0x0-0x3d03d].com.adobe.Photoshop[489]
file://localhost/Applications/Adobe P
4/2/10 10:49:53 AM com.apple.launchd[76]
([0x0-0xb30b3].com.adobe.headlights.LogTransport2App[3808]) Exited with exit code: 1
4/2/10 10:50:00 AM com.apple.loginwindow[25]
Shutdown NOW!
4/2/10 10:50:00 AM com.apple.loginwindow[25]
System shutdown time has arrived

Can't get a picture, only loud beep when I power on my desk top. Ois 10.6

When I power on my desk top, i hear the start up sound but only get a black screen and loud beep. ois 10.6

Please carefully read Mac computers: About startup tones

Loud beep sound when starting up my Mac book air (2007), right before the classic start-up noise

There is a very loud beep right before the classic Mac start up "bong"
I'm thinking there might be something wrong with the ram...
Any answers? Thanks!

Although it's an older article, for the most part it's applicable -
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2538
The beep on startup is usually an indication of a failed RAM module. It's also possible that a recent firmware update on the machine was botched. If you didn't recently perform a firmware update then it's probably the RAM. As the RAM is soldered directly to the logic board it cannot be replaced individually, it'd require a full logic board replacement.
Given the age of the machine, it's unlikely still covered by the AppleCare Protection Plan and definitely not the one year limited warranty.
The next course of action would be to bring the machine into the Genius Bar or AASP and have them evaulate your repair options.

IMac makes a loud beep on start up, won't load past the blue screen and the black ticking dial appears every few seconds in centre of screen.

Urgent help!
Out of the blue my mac lost the mouse cursor even though it had connection so I rebooted only for the mac to make a loud beep on start up then get stuck at the blue loading screen. It won't load past the blue screen. I've tried to reboot holding down the shift key but no change. I've also shut down, unplugged the main for 15 seconds, re plug and wait 5 seconds before starting up again but no change. Does anyone have any suggestions?
PS: I'm not too sure which systems I am running without being able to check in about this mac. I bought my imac in January or February 2011 if that helps.

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
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1547

Three loud beeps on startup

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