rustyfromexmouth
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Why is my iMac beeping instead of starting?

I have tried to start my iMac and it just beeps in threes and nothing else

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Apr 27, 2014 4:01 AM

by iCare,Solvedanswer
iCare iCare
Level 4 (1,826 points)
iLife
A:

Depending on which model iMac you have and the configuration of the memory currently installed, you may be able to remove a couple of the DIMM's and then swap the positions of the remaining DIMM's to isolate a possibly bad or incorrectly spec'ed DIMM. I suggest doing the following:

 

1) Refer to iMac: How to remove or install memory to find out how to properly remove the DIMM's and the supported memory configurations for your particular model.

 

2) Verify that the DIMM's installed are compatible with your system. Each name brand DIMM should have some sort of label providing the specs. Compare the information to the information found in the iMac: Memory specifications and upgrades article.

 

3) If the memory meets the specifications listed in the document listed above, then try swapping the DIMM's. If you have four DIMM's installed, take out two of the DIMM's and insert the remaining two in the correct slots. While the DIMM's are out check the gold fingers on each one to make sure they are nice and clean. Each system may have different requirements about whether particular slots need to be populated in order for the system to complete the power on self test. If you provide more specific information about your iMac we can provide more detailed assistance.

Posted on Apr 28, 2014 4:25 PM

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rustyfromexmouth

Q: Why is my iMac beeping instead of starting?

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  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 27, 2014 4:24 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth
    Level 9 (50,439 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 27, 2014 4:24 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth

    Groups of three generally mean a Ram problem, faulty chip, badly fitted chip, or the wrong chip. Have you added Ram recently?

  • by rustyfromexmouth,

    rustyfromexmouth rustyfromexmouth Apr 28, 2014 3:36 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 28, 2014 3:36 AM in response to Csound1

    I have had new memory fitted to max out my memory by an authorized repairer. I have just removed and reinstalled them with no change to the problem

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 28, 2014 3:52 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth
    Level 9 (50,439 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2014 3:52 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth

    Put the original Ram back and test.

  • by rustyfromexmouth,

    rustyfromexmouth rustyfromexmouth Apr 28, 2014 4:58 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 28, 2014 4:58 AM in response to Csound1

    Mmmmm...that I can't do, it was done 900km away at the nearest repair centre 

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Apr 28, 2014 5:51 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth
    Level 9 (58,476 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 28, 2014 5:51 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth

    Chances are the RAM in not seated correctly or is incorrect. Contact the store and begin clearing up the problem.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 28, 2014 10:31 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth
    Level 9 (50,439 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2014 10:31 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth

    rustyfromexmouth wrote:

     

    Mmmmm...that I can't do, it was done 900km away at the nearest repair centre 

    You let the store keep your old Ram?

     

    Did you trade it in or just give it away?

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Apr 28, 2014 12:57 PM in response to rustyfromexmouth
    Level 6 (13,791 points)
    iPad
    Apr 28, 2014 12:57 PM in response to rustyfromexmouth

    Chances are the RAM that is installed is the wrong and incompatible RAM!

    Macs are VERY, VERY picky about the RAM specs they need and just having RAM installed from a local conputer/electronics store means that they probably do not have the correct Mac RAM.

     

    You live 900 KM from your local conputer repair center?

    Where are you from?

    If the RAM is the wrong RAM, you may have to travel there, return the RAM, get your money AND your old RAM back!

     

    The only real place to get genuine and reliable Mac RAM is online.

     

    Correct and reliable Mac RAM can be purchased from online Mac RAM sources Crucial memory or OWC (macsales.com).

     

    What year, screen size, CPU speed of your iMac?

  • by baltwo,Helpful

    baltwo baltwo Apr 28, 2014 3:06 PM in response to MichelPM
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Apr 28, 2014 3:06 PM in response to MichelPM

    Quick google search reveals

    Exmouth, Western Australia

  • by Csound1,Helpful

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 28, 2014 3:38 PM in response to baltwo
    Level 9 (50,439 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2014 3:38 PM in response to baltwo

    An 1800km round trip for some Ram.

     

    I'm impressed.

  • by iCare,Solvedanswer

    iCare iCare Apr 28, 2014 4:25 PM in response to rustyfromexmouth
    Level 4 (1,826 points)
    iLife
    Apr 28, 2014 4:25 PM in response to rustyfromexmouth

    Depending on which model iMac you have and the configuration of the memory currently installed, you may be able to remove a couple of the DIMM's and then swap the positions of the remaining DIMM's to isolate a possibly bad or incorrectly spec'ed DIMM. I suggest doing the following:

     

    1) Refer to iMac: How to remove or install memory to find out how to properly remove the DIMM's and the supported memory configurations for your particular model.

     

    2) Verify that the DIMM's installed are compatible with your system. Each name brand DIMM should have some sort of label providing the specs. Compare the information to the information found in the iMac: Memory specifications and upgrades article.

     

    3) If the memory meets the specifications listed in the document listed above, then try swapping the DIMM's. If you have four DIMM's installed, take out two of the DIMM's and insert the remaining two in the correct slots. While the DIMM's are out check the gold fingers on each one to make sure they are nice and clean. Each system may have different requirements about whether particular slots need to be populated in order for the system to complete the power on self test. If you provide more specific information about your iMac we can provide more detailed assistance.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Apr 28, 2014 4:44 PM in response to rustyfromexmouth
    Level 6 (14,350 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2014 4:44 PM in response to rustyfromexmouth

    Is there a way to contact the Authorized Repair agency to tell them

    of this problem in using the computer with their new RAM installed,

    & to ask that they post the old RAM to you, so you can reinstall it??

     

    Given the distances involved, and all. They may be understanding

    in that most Authorized Repair agencies or authorized Apple service

    providers would have tested the computer after a RAM upgrade to

    see if any number of loaded applications or functions would cause

    it to fail. -- Sometimes, a simple boot-up OK test says nothing.

     

    Sounds like your experience is equal to one I had with compUSA

    or AK Mac store several years ago, with two different computers.

    Where an applecare plan was involved, so I couldn't fix it myself.

     

    Hopefully you can contact them, and they will not charge you to

    get your original RAM back. If they haven't re-sold it already!

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by rustyfromexmouth,

    rustyfromexmouth rustyfromexmouth Apr 29, 2014 6:57 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 29, 2014 6:57 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth

    Thank you all for your advice and input. I have managed to get some direct help from the Apple tecs in Sydney and am now sending it back down to the repairer to fix the problem.

    For the most part, you where all on the money but what must be done now is outside the scope of my ability.

    Again, thank you all for your help.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 29, 2014 7:02 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth
    Level 9 (50,439 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 29, 2014 7:02 AM in response to rustyfromexmouth

    You're welcome,

     

    Post back and let us know the outcome.

  • by rustyfromexmouth,

    rustyfromexmouth rustyfromexmouth Aug 11, 2014 7:00 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 11, 2014 7:00 AM in response to Csound1

    In the end, they decided the mother board was dying due the power surges during our floods and after much hassle and waiting I got a new computer under insurance.

    However...they sent me the old one back and after paying attention to previous posts I started removing the new memory one card at a time and "Bugger Me" I got it going again, although it isn't altogether happy.

    I have been able to save everything that I had on it and am in the process of backing it up to the new one now. At this stage I am happy to use this one for nonessential work till it dies completely and put the new one to work on my precious photos.

     

    Thank you all for your help with this, you have saved my sanity!!!!!

     

    Rusty

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