POST beep sequence: 3 short, 3 long, 3 short

Question

POST beep sequence: 3 short, 3 long, 3 short

This is a business computer replacement, so I need it fixed (or never broken in the first place).

This all happened today.
I purchased, unpacked, setup, and performed updates.
The computer had random screen artifacts and was unresponsive.
Questionable "Power icon" alerting me it needs to shut down.
Upon boot, 9 beeps are heard: 3 short, 3 long, 3 short

I'm not impressed with windows pcs, but Apple shouldn't push updates if they're not fully tested.
I don't know which OS, the computer never gave me a chance to look : /
I'm assuming Snow Leopard since I just bought it.

Thanks.

MB950LL/A, Mac OS X (10.6), iMac 21.5"/3.06/2x2GB/500GB/9400M

Posted on Mar 19, 2010 7:56 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 19, 2010 11:07 PM in response to MelForNoles#4

3 short, 3 long, 3short is SOS in morse code.
Apple engineers having some fun?

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Answer 2

Mar 19, 2010 8:16 PM in response to MelForNoles#4

Welcome to Discussions, Usually 3 beeps around the POST is RAM related. I would start by reseating any/all RAM in your iMac. If you have more than one bank of RAM ( your signature indicates stock 2x2gb) you could remove all but one and retry. Then if that doesn't work try the others one at a time. While doing this procedure the power plug will be removed which should reset the SMC. Report back after with the results and we can go from there. Good luck. And yes if you just bought it new it will have Snow Leopard.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 19, 2010 8:45 PM in response to MelForNoles#4

This article has the information: iMac (Mid 2007) and later models: About new startup tones.

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Answer 4

Mar 19, 2010 10:55 PM in response to Bob Jackins

Thanks Bob, and you're right, 10.6.2 right on the box!

Apple Support is calling me in the morning, but if I get restless, can you please send me a guide? I still don't think it's acceptable to have this issue. This is really a computer for my parents business, which they bought at my recommendation. They need it ASAP and are already ****** that it isn't working on the first day. I'm just weary of a static discharge, which would place the blame on Apple to me. Which I'd rather not have.

Does anyone know what the other 2 sets refer to?

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Answer 5

Mar 19, 2010 11:10 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks Kappy, unfortunately, I don't have access to the firmware. Maybe Apple will send me a link so I don't have to wade the internets. I'll let you know by tomorrow.

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Answer 6

Mar 20, 2010 7:31 AM in response to MelForNoles#4

Spoke with Apple Support today. One of the RAM modules went bad hours after using the machine : (

Apple certified repair shop closed until Tuesday.
Best Buy's 45 minutes away to do an exchange.

The support specialist was awesome. I guess I'll run the computer on 1 stick and hopefully the repair shop is willing to swap sticks.

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Answer 7

Mar 20, 2010 8:08 AM in response to MelForNoles#4

Glad your iMac is on the road to recovery and everything you purchase has the potential to fail in some way ie bad components supplied, shipping etc. Most important is how the defect is handled. Apple is usually awesome.

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