Macbook Pro 2011 runs perfectly but beeps 4 times every 5 minutes or so...

mikeloop · mikeloop #1 (**permalink**)

01-10-2012, 07:45 PM

Hey there, in a nut shell, I have a 2011 unibody Macbook Pro. I have had zero problems with it until now, it is a 13 inch, running Lion.

When it is on, it will be 4 times (2 mini beeps per beep). It sounds like a cell phone timer or something like that, not actual absurd beeps that happen when there are hardware issues.

If I turn the volume to mute, it takes care of the beeps.

What can do I do here!!!!??? My computer is running at 100% and is perfectly fine minus the beeps!!! The beeps are HIGH pitch.

YosemiteSam81 · YosemiteSam81 #2 (**permalink**)

01-10-2012, 08:10 PM

Interesting. I am wondering if this would help identify the problem?

Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2

Maybe somebody else will come along and have more info. Good luck!

mikeloop · mikeloop #3 (**permalink**)

01-10-2012, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YosemiteSam81

Interesting. I am wondering if this would help identify the problem?

Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2

Maybe somebody else will come along and have more info. Good luck!

I matched it up with the 4 beeps.. what does this mean?

4 beeps = no good boot images in the boot ROM (and/or bad sys config block)

chscag · chscag #4 (**permalink**)

01-11-2012, 12:09 AM

The beeps probably have nothing to do with the POST since you can mute them out.

What have you got running in the background? Open your Activity Monitor application from Utilities and look for something that's running that's causing the beeps. Perhaps a timer program or some such?

Another test you can do: Start the machine in Safe mode and see if the same happens. Press and hold the Shift key as soon as you hear the chime. Safe mode disables startup and background activities.

mikeloop · mikeloop #5 (**permalink**)

01-15-2012, 07:41 PM

Bump! Still not fixed

JacksonMclean · JacksonMclean #6 (**permalink**)

01-17-2012, 11:17 AM

Same exact problem here. Gonna ask the people at the Mac repair place on campus.

JacksonMclean · JacksonMclean #7 (**permalink**)

01-17-2012, 12:14 PM

Actually, it's every 2 minutes for me, and the beeps are more like double beeps.

So every two minutes I hear:

beepbeep - beepbeep - beepbeep - beepbeep

mikeloop · mikeloop #8 (**permalink**)

01-17-2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacksonMclean

Actually, it's every 2 minutes for me, and the beeps are more like double beeps.

So every two minutes I hear:

beepbeep - beepbeep - beepbeep - beepbeep

That's exactly what is happening now for me, it used to be every 5-6 mins now it's every 2-3 at times, but 5-6 at others, its quite random!

When are you going into the apple store? I went in and they had no idea!

chscag · chscag #9 (**permalink**)

01-17-2012, 08:23 PM

Did you read Post # 4 above? Try what was suggested and let us know.

mikeloop · mikeloop #10 (**permalink**)

01-17-2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chscag

Did you read Post # 4 above? Try what was suggested and let us know.

Nothing worked! Didnt beep on safe mode.

JacksonMclean · JacksonMclean #11 (**permalink**)

01-17-2012, 08:55 PM

I did the safe mode trick and it stopped beeping! Thanks.

mikeloop · mikeloop #12 (**permalink**)

01-17-2012, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacksonMclean

I did the safe mode trick and it stopped beeping! Thanks.

How did it work though? If you start in normal mode it will just beep again! Wont it?

chscag · chscag #13 (**permalink**)

01-17-2012, 10:39 PM

OK, guys. If the beeping stopped when in Safe Mode, that tells us it's a program or process that's running in the background (what I suggested to you in my first reply). Now you need to find out which one....

Open your Activity Monitor app and closely watch the processes. See if you can associate the beep, beep, with something that's running. Also make sure all your startup and login items have been shut down.

mikeloop · mikeloop #14 (**permalink**)

01-17-2012, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chscag

OK, guys. If the beeping stopped when in Safe Mode, that tells us it's a program or process that's running in the background (what I suggested to you in my first reply). Now you need to find out which one....

Open your Activity Monitor app and closely watch the processes. See if you can associate the beep, beep, with something that's running. Also make sure all your startup and login items have been shut down.

I think mine has stopped now too every since I ran it in safe mode.. I am in now booting regularly with no problems....yet (knock on wood).

If it does come back, how do I know what program it is? That would take forever!

What do you mean startup and login items?

JacksonMclean · JacksonMclean #15 (**permalink**)

01-18-2012, 10:24 PM

My beeping came back. I'll try finding the program using activity monitor. I'll let you know if I have any luck.

YosemiteSam81 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 07, 2012 Location: Great Lakes Posts: 22 Mac Specs: 13" MacBook Air, 1.7GHz i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD; iPhone 4s; iPod Classic 6th Gen	01-10-2012, 08:10 PM Interesting. I am wondering if this would help identify the problem? Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2 Maybe somebody else will come along and have more info. Good luck! "It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence."- William Kingdon Clifford
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,386 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	01-11-2012, 12:09 AM The beeps probably have nothing to do with the POST since you can mute them out. What have you got running in the background? Open your Activity Monitor application from Utilities and look for something that's running that's causing the beeps. Perhaps a timer program or some such? Another test you can do: Start the machine in Safe mode and see if the same happens. Press and hold the Shift key as soon as you hear the chime. Safe mode disables startup and background activities. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,386 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	01-17-2012, 08:23 PM Did you read Post # 4 above? Try what was suggested and let us know. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,386 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	01-17-2012, 10:39 PM OK, guys. If the beeping stopped when in Safe Mode, that tells us it's a program or process that's running in the background (what I suggested to you in my first reply). Now you need to find out which one.... Open your Activity Monitor app and closely watch the processes. See if you can associate the beep, beep, with something that's running. Also make sure all your startup and login items have been shut down. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

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mikeloop #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 14, 2011 Posts: 18	01-10-2012, 07:45 PM Hey there, in a nut shell, I have a 2011 unibody Macbook Pro. I have had zero problems with it until now, it is a 13 inch, running Lion. When it is on, it will be 4 times (2 mini beeps per beep). It sounds like a cell phone timer or something like that, not actual absurd beeps that happen when there are hardware issues. If I turn the volume to mute, it takes care of the beeps. What can do I do here!!!!??? My computer is running at 100% and is perfectly fine minus the beeps!!! The beeps are HIGH pitch.
	QUOTE Thanks

mikeloop #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 14, 2011 Posts: 18	01-15-2012, 07:41 PM Bump! Still not fixed
	QUOTE Thanks

JacksonMclean #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 17, 2012 Posts: 6	01-17-2012, 11:17 AM Same exact problem here. Gonna ask the people at the Mac repair place on campus.
	QUOTE Thanks

JacksonMclean #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 17, 2012 Posts: 6	01-17-2012, 12:14 PM Actually, it's every 2 minutes for me, and the beeps are more like double beeps. So every two minutes I hear: beepbeep - beepbeep - beepbeep - beepbeep
	QUOTE Thanks

JacksonMclean #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 17, 2012 Posts: 6	01-17-2012, 08:55 PM I did the safe mode trick and it stopped beeping! Thanks.
	QUOTE Thanks

JacksonMclean #15 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 17, 2012 Posts: 6	01-18-2012, 10:24 PM My beeping came back. I'll try finding the program using activity monitor. I'll let you know if I have any luck.
	QUOTE Thanks

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