Three 3 Beeps after long resume, boots into OSX just fine. RAM Issue?

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Level 1

50 points

Three 3 Beeps after long resume, boots into OSX just fine. RAM Issue?

Hi everyone,

After about a year or so of experimenting with Hackintoshs with the OSX86 community (MSi Wind and Dell E1405) and an enjoyable experience with my iPhone, I've decided to pick up my first Mac. I ended up with the newer Macbook 2.4ghz. As a veterened PC user who had no problems with Windows, I find OSX to be very user friendly, so this computer has been very enjoyable indeed.

I went ahead and upgraded it to a 500GB HDD and 4GB of DDR3 RAM as soon as I got it, and by this, I mean, I booted it up to ensure it worked, then shut it down, and added the new parts.

I don't remember if this happened on the first bootup when OEM spec, but now, whenever the computer has been asleep for a long time (after I get up in the morning, or when I get back from work), I hear three or so short beeps right before the DVD scanning for a disc. I believe this also happens if the computer has been turned off a while. If I restart or shutdown for a "short period" it does not happen.

I did some research online, and most people say the RAM has a problem, but they all never boot or have major issues.

My MacBook boots, detects the proper amount of System Memory in "About this Mac", and looks to be just fine in System Profiler. I also ran the Apple Hardware Test, and it passed without issue. The MacBook has no functionality issues that most people contribute to bad memory (reboots, funny screens). Basically, if it didn't beep 3 times, I wouldn't have thought anything could be wrong. The only other issue I have is that it doesn't turn on the laptop's display when resuming from sleep (which is very annoying), something others are reporting as well.

The DDR3 I got is OCZ Brand. A silly name, but reputable brand. It looks to use the same brand Micron chips as the OEM Apple. A link to the Memory I purchased is here - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CNR39U

Does anyone have any insight into what could be causing the MacBook to beep 3 times whenever I boot up after a long time of sleep/off?

Thanks,
Jonathan

Unibody Macbook 2.4ghz, Mac OS X (10.5.6), 4GB of OCZ RAM

Posted on Dec 20, 2008 1:24 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 20, 2008 1:44 PM in response to JStroud

To be clear is what you referring to the same as discussed in this article: Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2?

BTW, I, too, have a Wind running OS X.

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Answer 2

JStroud Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 20, 2008 2:26 PM in response to Kappy

Its hard to say. It does indeed do around 3 short beeps, but not only on a shutdown, and not on every shutdown as indicated by the article.

I tried to reproduce the issue, I shut down the computer for about 25 minutes, and when booted back up, it did not perform the 3 beeps.

The article states it requires a full shutdown for this to occur. I can shut down the computer, and boot back up quickly, and it won't beep. I can let the computer sleep overnight (it happened this morning), and it had the 3 beeps.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 20, 2008 2:42 PM in response to JStroud

It's quite possible the problem occurs after the computer heats up, but the memory is fine cold. My best guess.

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Answer 4

JStroud Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 20, 2008 2:48 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks Kappy.

Did you mean the opposite of what you said? I figure if the computer was off/asleep for a while, where the error conditions occur, it would be cold.

This is very strange, I've never seen RAM become finicky when cold...

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 20, 2008 2:55 PM in response to JStroud

It could be either way. RAM can become finicky cold or hot depending on what the exact problem is.

A service shop can do the appropriate longer term testing to try and uncover the exact problem as long as you provide them a detailed explanation of the problem and circumstances under which you see it manifest itself. This may be especially important if you cannot demonstrate it when you bring the computer in for service.

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Answer 6

JStroud Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 20, 2008 3:12 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks Kappy. I may have to do a bit more testing so I can determine the exact error conditions.

Its very sporadic, so its hard to tell. I just know, when I get home from work, or wake up in the morning, and turn on the MacBook for the first time, it beeps. Using it throughout the day so far, restarting many times, I haven't had it happen.

I did a reset of the SMC to see if discharging the MacBook (and memory) would cause the error to occur, and it did not...

If anyone has additional input or had a similar issue, I'd love to hear it.

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Answer 7

JStroud Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 20, 2008 7:14 PM in response to JStroud

I went to the Apple Store earlier for assistance. I tried leaving the laptop off for 3 hours, but it did not produce the error in store.

I did provide an explanation to the Genius, and he said those 3 beeps should not allow the laptop to boot, so it was indeed a little strange.

I have to swap out the system memory for the other issue anyway, so I'll see if it helps, but since this is much harder to reproduce, I don't know how far I'll get with it.

Jonathan

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Answer 8

JStroud Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 20, 2008 8:22 PM in response to JStroud

So, I replaced the System Memory, and the beeps also occurred on a "resume" from sleep (was trying to reproduce the other issue).

So the beeps are not a cause from the System Memory...

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Answer 9

deltatux

Level 2

491 points

Dec 20, 2008 11:02 PM in response to JStroud

JStroud wrote:
Hi everyone,

After about a year or so of experimenting with Hackintoshs with the OSX86 community (MSi Wind and Dell E1405) and an enjoyable experience with my iPhone, I've decided to pick up my first Mac. I ended up with the newer Macbook 2.4ghz. As a veterened PC user who had no problems with Windows, I find OSX to be very user friendly, so this computer has been very enjoyable indeed.

I went ahead and upgraded it to a 500GB HDD and 4GB of DDR3 RAM as soon as I got it, and by this, I mean, I booted it up to ensure it worked, then shut it down, and added the new parts.

I don't remember if this happened on the first bootup when OEM spec, but now, whenever the computer has been asleep for a long time (after I get up in the morning, or when I get back from work), I hear three or so short beeps right before the DVD scanning for a disc. I believe this also happens if the computer has been turned off a while. If I restart or shutdown for a "short period" it does not happen.

I did some research online, and most people say the RAM has a problem, but they all never boot or have major issues.

My MacBook boots, detects the proper amount of System Memory in "About this Mac", and looks to be just fine in System Profiler. I also ran the Apple Hardware Test, and it passed without issue. The MacBook has no functionality issues that most people contribute to bad memory (reboots, funny screens). Basically, if it didn't beep 3 times, I wouldn't have thought anything could be wrong. The only other issue I have is that it doesn't turn on the laptop's display when resuming from sleep (which is very annoying), something others are reporting as well.

The DDR3 I got is OCZ Brand. A silly name, but reputable brand. It looks to use the same brand Micron chips as the OEM Apple. A link to the Memory I purchased is here - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CNR39U

Does anyone have any insight into what could be causing the MacBook to beep 3 times whenever I boot up after a long time of sleep/off?

Thanks,
Jonathan

Sounds like faulty RAM. Get 'em replaced. I tend to trust Kingston and/or Patriot for my memory needs.

If that doesn't work, then try popping in the stock RAM. If those work, then we know the RAM you replaced is still faulty. Keep retrying. If the stock RAM still beeps, send the machine in for repairs.

Btw, a running joke between my friends, we call OCZ ... OverClockZors =P.

deltatux

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Answer 10

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Dec 20, 2008 11:27 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy wrote:
To be clear is what you referring to the same as discussed in this article: Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2?

BTW, I, too, have a Wind running OS X.

As do I, wonder how many around here are"

Anyway, I'd just drop the original 2Gig and see what it does.

pancenter-

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Answer 11

JStroud Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 20, 2008 11:33 PM in response to deltatux

As an FYI, I got the same beep (my girlfriend says it sounds like 1 beep, while I think its really 3 super fast beeps) using the 2GB of System Memory that came with the Mac...

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Answer 12

JStroud Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 21, 2008 6:14 PM in response to JStroud

Confirmed, it happened again using the factory 2GB of memory, even after an installation of OSX...

I am wondering if its the HDD thats causing it... I used this 500GB Western Digital HDD on the MSI Wind, and OSX did similar beeps, but on every boot up or resume...

Jonathan

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Answer 13

JStroud Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 22, 2008 1:02 AM in response to JStroud

Well, I finally figured it out. Its an issue with the HDD.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dxZv6ROJFrg

It does exactly that noise...

Issue identified! Just a matter of how to fix it now...

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Answer 14

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Dec 22, 2008 1:59 AM in response to JStroud

Could it an interaction of the drive's S.M.A.R.T. function with the Apple firmware?

Does the drive have any software Win or Mac that let's the user make drive adjustments?

Pancenter-

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Answer 15

JStroud Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 22, 2008 2:22 AM in response to Pancenter

There were a couple of posts within the YouTube link about a Windows program which modifies how the drive runs, even outside of Windows. They still report the beeping every once and a while. I may BootCamp Windows XP and give it a shot.

I realize, the drive really only does it when it provides that clicking noise (you can hear it in the video). When it doesn't do make those clicks, I never hear it. I think thats the Hard Drive's heads parking. I disabled the automatic OSX head parking by performing the steps in the thread below...

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6498085

The drive still clicks after a cold bootup (its been off for a while). I haven't had enough time to test the clicks in sleep though.

Jonathan

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