Forza Azzuri

Q: Help with loud beep then blank white screen

iMac was running slow, lots of pinwheels.  Restarted after unsuccessfully forcing unresponsive programs closed.  On restart, heard a loud single beep, then got nothing but a blank white screen.  Now iMac won't startup, just goes to blank screen.  Time Machine also just had a failed backup attempt.  Related?  What is up??

iMac

Posted on Nov 28, 2012 7:48 PM

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Q: Help with loud beep then blank white screen

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  • by BDAqua,Helpful

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 28, 2012 11:57 PM in response to Forza Azzuri
    Level 10 (123,795 points)
    Nov 28, 2012 11:57 PM in response to Forza Azzuri

    Hi Forza,

     

    The following table lists the new tones and their meaning:

     

    Tone(s)          Description

    1 tone, a 5-second pause, repeat          No RAM installed

    3 successive tones, a 5-second pause, 3 successive tones          RAM does not pass data integrity check

    1 long tone when holding down the power button          Firmware upgrade in process. See About firmware updates for Intel-based Macs for more details.

    3 long tones, 3 short tones, 3 long tones          Firmware restoration from CD in process. See About the Firmware Restoration CD (Intel-based Macs) for more details.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2538

     

    Can you count the beeps or flashes?

     

    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.

     

    Note: In this case, a flash is considered to be 1/4 second or 250 ms or greater in length.

     

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

  • by Forza Azzuri,

    Forza Azzuri Forza Azzuri Nov 29, 2012 4:57 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 29, 2012 4:57 AM in response to BDAqua

    Sounds like a firmware upgrade was in progress?  Would that explain slow performance and lots of pinwheels as well as a failed Time Machine backup?  Now all I am getting is a blank white screen...what do I do???

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 29, 2012 9:41 AM in response to Forza Azzuri
    Level 10 (123,795 points)
    Nov 29, 2012 9:41 AM in response to Forza Azzuri

    Ouch, sounds like you'll have to take it in for repair, did you recently try a firmware or EFI update???