Q: Grinding/Beeping Noise

Question

lamahaha

Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Grinding/Beeping Noise

When my macbook pro (late 2011) is idle (playing music, running preview while i read etc) it makes this grinding and beeping sound (2 long beeps) out of the blue, near the right, bottom corner of the laptop).. can anyone tell me what's wrong, please?

It doesn't happen often, and it's always sudden so I can't predict when it occurs and try to record a video of it.

I have searched online forums but not found a similar problem - no youtube videos or similar descriptions (that I know of).

The apple support page only shows error codes for startups, which isn't relevant for my situation.

Could anyone help, please?

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on May 12, 2013 7:43 AM

I have this question too

Q: Grinding/Beeping Noise

All replies

Helpful answers

by Baby Boomer (USofA),

Baby Boomer (USofA) May 12, 2013 11:33 AM in response to lamahaha
Level 9 (57,623 points)

May 12, 2013 11:33 AM in response to lamahaha

For beeps, see KB Article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1547
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

The grinding could be from a failing HD or dirty and/or malfunctioning fans. For the HD check out the following:
Mac OS X 10.8x Help: Checking a disk to see if it’s going to fail

Failing Hard Drive Sounds

How to Tell When Your Hard Drive is Going to Fail

Be prepared for hard-drive failure

Regarding the fans, see KB Article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411 Apple Portables: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
Reply options

Link to this post

Q: Grinding/Beeping Noise

All replies Helpful answers

by Baby Boomer (USofA),

All replies

Helpful answers