beeping, non starting iMac (Early 2008, 20")

Question

beeping, non starting iMac (Early 2008, 20")

so i turned on my iMac this morning, and the first chime played happily enough; after which it started beeping in an almost alarm like way, refusing to move any further in the startup process.

I tried forced shut down, but it shuts down with the first touch of the power button, so even that option doesn't work.

HEEELPPP!

iMac 20" early 2008, Macbook Pro 17" 2008, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Nov 15, 2008 7:26 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Nov 15, 2008 7:42 PM in response to Aditya Anupkumar

It sounds like it might be a memory problem. Did you upgrade the memory on your iMac?

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Answer 2

Nov 15, 2008 8:02 PM in response to rkaufmann87

no I haven't; it was the standard configuration from the Apple store...

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Answer 3

TildeBee

Level 7

31,923 points

Nov 15, 2008 8:28 PM in response to Aditya Anupkumar

Aditya --
On restart, exactly how many beeps after the chime???
Here's the general rule:

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

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Answer 4

lenn5

Level 4

2,537 points

Nov 15, 2008 8:34 PM in response to Aditya Anupkumar

Have you tried trying to bootup from the install dvd that came with your iMac?

lenn

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Answer 5

Nov 15, 2008 8:45 PM in response to TildeBee

it does two beeps first, and from then on keeps beeping thrice.

how do I sort that? :-s

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Answer 6

TildeBee

Level 7

31,923 points

Nov 15, 2008 8:53 PM in response to Aditya Anupkumar

Aditya --
Is it possible that you have an Apple Store in Mumbai?
It may be 5 beeps, which is not good.
You really need to have it looked at by a professional, in my humble opinion.
Those beeps are about Hardware.

EDIT: It's either RAM or your processor has died.
RAM is easier to fix (2 or 3 beeps).
Have you recently added any RAM chips?

Message was edited by: ~Bee

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Answer 7

Nov 15, 2008 9:08 PM in response to TildeBee

Hi Bee;

well, it beeps twice when it first starts up, and then goes into a cycle of three beeps; so I'm hoping that doesn't constitute 5 beeps.

Will get it checked out by the Apple store when it opens later in the day...

Thanks!

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Answer 8

TildeBee

Level 7

31,923 points

Nov 15, 2008 9:11 PM in response to Aditya Anupkumar

Aditya --
Have you put any RAM in lately?
If not, some RAM chips may have come loose.
If it's 2 and then 3, that would make sense.

Anyway, print out this thread,
and take it to the computer place.
It will help them, I'm hoping.

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Answer 9

Nov 15, 2008 9:55 PM in response to TildeBee

Haven't put any RAM in; it was as advertised, when I got it back in July. I guess the RAM has come loose. Apple said they're closed for the day, and will send someone over to resolve it tomorrow.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks once again, for your help 🙂

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Answer 10

Nov 24, 2008 8:11 PM in response to Aditya Anupkumar

oh ok. They replaced the RAM and it works fine now! 🙂

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Answer 11

TildeBee

Level 7

31,923 points

Nov 27, 2008 9:03 AM in response to Aditya Anupkumar

aditya --
Glad your computer is finally working.
I hope you and yours are safe from the terrorist attacks yesterday and today.
Take care.

Message was edited by: ~Bee

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