gatton4

Q: replaced 2009 mac mini hard drive and beeping at power up; is this an error code?

After replacing the hard drive in my mac mini, as well as upgrading from 4 to 8GB RAM, I get a repeated beep-beep sound at power up. Is this an error sound or warning that I did something incorrectly? I did not get to a log in screen or apple icon just powered off before proceeding.

Mac mini (Late 2009), Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Feb 4, 2013 1:38 PM

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Q: replaced 2009 mac mini hard drive and beeping at power up; is this an error code?

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  • by BDAqua,Solvedanswer

    BDAqua BDAqua Feb 4, 2013 3:26 PM in response to gatton4
    Level 10 (123,795 points)
    Feb 4, 2013 3:26 PM in response to gatton4

    Hi, yes...

     

    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

     

    Old meanings...

     

    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 Eustace Mendis,Helpful

    Eustace Mendis Eustace Mendis Feb 4, 2013 3:38 PM in response to gatton4
    Level 7 (25,402 points)
    Feb 4, 2013 3:38 PM in response to gatton4

    I would try reinstalling the old RAM first. If that solves the problem, try the new RAM one module at a time.

  • by gatton4,

    gatton4 gatton4 Feb 4, 2013 4:03 PM in response to gatton4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 4, 2013 4:03 PM in response to gatton4

    Hey thanks for the quick replies. Yes, the memory specs were not compatible apparently; too fast for my module. going back to change out for the slower kit. Thanks!

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Feb 4, 2013 4:44 PM in response to gatton4
    Level 10 (123,795 points)
    Feb 4, 2013 4:44 PM in response to gatton4

    Great news, good work, Thanks!