TLHolz

Q: iMac Single beep on waking

I have an iMac, 27", mid 2011, running El Capitan 10.11.6. Over the last two months, on waking from sleep, it gives a single fairly quiet beep...but it is inconsistent, i.e. not every time nor even every other time. I've searched various forums for what would cause this with no result for this particular situation. Plenty for three beeps on MacBooks and iMacs, but nothing for a single beep that I've found so far.

 

Anyone experience something similar and discovered a cause and any solution? Thanks,

Tom

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Aug 25, 2016 10:37 AM

Close

Q: iMac Single beep on waking

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 25, 2016 11:47 AM in response to TLHolz
    Level 6 (14,340 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 25, 2016 11:47 AM in response to TLHolz

    In the past, some items I'd read on this topic suggested the soft tone, not

    like any other error startup beeps, and not a natural OK boot sound, likely

    were the sign of a failing hard disk drive.

     

    Evidence of that idea, is among suggestions here:

    • Recognizing Danger: 5 Warning Signs Showing Your Mac Has A ...

    Screen Shot 2016-08-25 at 10.44.59 AM.png

    The results of a custom search, words chosen in bold, show a few:

    https://www.google.com/search?q=iMac+wakeup+tones+related+to+failing+hard+drive

     

    To prepare for failure means to make backups of your content, and not just

    a Time Machine; you could clone-copy to externally enclosed hard drive in

    such a manner as to create a boot-capable system copy. These enclosures

    usually include their own power supply, and are handy for troubleshooting.

     

    • Apple OS X and Time Machine Tips:

    http://www.pondini.org/OSX/Home.html

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by TLHolz,

    TLHolz TLHolz Aug 25, 2016 3:03 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 25, 2016 3:03 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Thanks for the reply. I saw a couple of references to potential imminent HD failure, but determined from context they didn't apply. I've had no other signs of HD problems and no what to listen for from previous experience on a PC. I have a Time Machine and separate BU, so  should be covered for that. I'd take it in for a look see, but inconsistency is the bane of any helpdesk. Will keep a close eye on it.

    Tom

  • by Klaus1,Helpful

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Aug 26, 2016 3:46 AM in response to TLHolz
    Level 8 (48,821 points)
    Aug 26, 2016 3:46 AM in response to TLHolz

    Beeps on startup:

     

    1 beep = no RAM installed

    2 beeps = incompatible RAM types

    3 beeps = no good banks

    4 beeps = no good boot images.

    5 beeps = processor is not usable

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202768

  • by K Shaffer,Apple recommended

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 26, 2016 3:44 AM in response to TLHolz
    Level 6 (14,340 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 26, 2016 3:44 AM in response to TLHolz

    As noted by Klaus, the more consistent beep warning tones are usually not faint.

     

    Some can point to logic board or hard drive issues, perhaps even failure of a

    connection or cable to/from a hard drive or other component attached to board.

     

    If you do talk to an expert or product specialist who should be qualified to run

    in-depth or long-run diagnostic test; or perhaps stress test the unit to force a

    failure, be sure you have backed up all content to known good off Mac backup.

     

    An Authorized Apple service provider, an independent repair shop with good

    reputation, should be able to take the time to find the cause & estimate costs.

    While an appointment with an Apple store Genius, may help narrow the cause

    or offer fair options that may result in a repair; for older hardware, expect offsite.

     

     

    The article about all standard tones the computer usually is known to make, text

    taken direct from the Support article, I'd copied for a different ASC discussion:

     

    "The sounds a Mac may make on startup, are covered in this article:

    • About Mac computer startup tones - Apple Support

     

    Learn about the different sounds your computer makes when it starts up and what they mean.

     

    Mac computers can produce several sounds when starting up.

    Your Mac should produce the familiar single tone on start up.

     

    If you hear one of these tones, it might mean there's a problem with your computer:

    • 1 tone, repeating every 5 seconds: This indicates no RAM is installed.
    • 3 successive tones, a 5 second pause (repeating): This indicates RAM does not pass a data integrity check.
    • 1 long tone while holding down the power button: Indicates an EFI ROM update is in progress on a computer manufactured before 2012.
    • 3 long tones, 3 short tones, 3 long tones: Indicates EFI ROM corruption is detected and the computer is in EFI ROM recovery mode.

    If you need to restore the EFI ROM on certain Mac computers produced before 2008, you'll

    need to use a Firmware Restoration CD to restore the EFI ROM. Search Apple Downloads

    for the right CD image for your computer.

     

    Newer computers automatically recover from a corrupted ROM; when this occurs, a progress

    bar appears on the screen during ROM recovery mode. Do not disturb the machine while the

    ROM recovery is taking place. It will restart back into OS X when recovery is complete.

     

    More:

    Pressing and holding keys when the startup tone sounds can make your Mac function in different ways.

    To learn more, see Startup key combinations for Mac..."

     

    Yet from looking around, and thinking back, the tone you hear may be from a component on

    the logic board, not regular 'chime-related notice/warning device' that also gives start sound.

     

    There may be some kind of Console log or other hardware test diagnostic report that could shed

    light on the probable source of this oddity. Indications suggest hard drive or other failure warning.

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by TLHolz,

    TLHolz TLHolz Aug 26, 2016 3:47 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 26, 2016 3:47 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Thanks to Klaus and K Shaffer. I knew some of the tones, but not all of them and didn't know the startup key info at all.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 26, 2016 3:51 AM in response to TLHolz
    Level 6 (14,340 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 26, 2016 3:51 AM in response to TLHolz

    Glad to be a little helpful...

    maybe more, if I take vitamins?