MacBook Pro - Restart and 3 Beeps - What Gives?

Todd · Todd #1 (**permalink**)

07-05-2009, 04:32 PM

Hi, all- I think I've done my due diligence and searched the forum, but couldn't find this problem, at least as I have it.

So,
I have a 15" MBP running OS X 10.5.7. When I go under the apple symbol and attempt to restart, I get a grey screen and 3 loud beeps and a pulsing light in front, which repeat themselves. Consequently, I have to power down by pressing the power button. When I power up again, it seems to come up fine, and everything seems to work. It is only the restart function that is giving me problems. Most 3-beep problems I have seen have to do with installing new memory, which I have not done. I also reset SMC, and this didn't do anything. It seems to me that that this problem began after I downloaded some recent updates, one of which was an SMC Firmware update, but I don't know if there is any correlation.

Any thoughts? Thanks very much in advance.

Todd

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #2 (**permalink**)

07-05-2009, 05:55 PM

G'day Todd and welcome to the forums.

Three beeps indicates either one of:-

No RAM installed.

Defective RAM. Installed any new modules?

Loose RAM. Replaced modules or undone clips?

RAM slot failure.

Have a look at this link:-

macbook makes beeping sound and wont start - ehMac.ca

Todd · Todd #3 (**permalink**)

07-05-2009, 11:48 PM

Thanks, Harry. Well, I haven't any new RAM or touched or modified existing. So, I'm thinking the RAM might need to be reseated. But as I'm on travel I don't have the right tools. I'll have to go look for some.

Cheers.

Todd

MazdaspeedK · MazdaspeedK #4 (**permalink**)

12-09-2009, 01:14 AM

Hi Todd, would you please share your results after reseating your RAM? coz I am having the exact same problem you mentioned.

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MacBook Pro - Restart and 3 Beeps - What Gives?

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Todd #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 05, 2009 Posts: 2	07-05-2009, 04:32 PM Hi, all- I think I've done my due diligence and searched the forum, but couldn't find this problem, at least as I have it. So, I have a 15" MBP running OS X 10.5.7. When I go under the apple symbol and attempt to restart, I get a grey screen and 3 loud beeps and a pulsing light in front, which repeat themselves. Consequently, I have to power down by pressing the power button. When I power up again, it seems to come up fine, and everything seems to work. It is only the restart function that is giving me problems. Most 3-beep problems I have seen have to do with installing new memory, which I have not done. I also reset SMC, and this didn't do anything. It seems to me that that this problem began after I downloaded some recent updates, one of which was an SMC Firmware update, but I don't know if there is any correlation. Any thoughts? Thanks very much in advance. Todd
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,079 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	07-05-2009, 05:55 PM G'day Todd and welcome to the forums. Three beeps indicates either one of:- No RAM installed. Defective RAM. Installed any new modules? Loose RAM. Replaced modules or undone clips? RAM slot failure. Have a look at this link:- macbook makes beeping sound and wont start - ehMac.ca
	QUOTE Thanks

MazdaspeedK #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 30, 2009 Posts: 5 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 13"	12-09-2009, 01:14 AM Hi Todd, would you please share your results after reseating your RAM? coz I am having the exact same problem you mentioned.
	QUOTE Thanks

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