Macbook air hardware issue

Question

Level 1

17 points

Macbook air hardware issue

I have an old 2011 MacBook Air. Last night it froze and then turned off and restarted but then started beeping three times and then pauses and three times again and pauses and keeps going.

Apple support made me reset the SMC and clear the NV ram. I found out that I can boot into safe mode and was able to run first aid and the drive is fine.

The problem is that whenever I login regular mode after displaying my desktop and everything else for about 30 seconds it turns off and restarts again. Indefinitely. However when I boot into safe mode this does not happen.

although Apple support told me this is a hardware issue and I find it hard to believe that it only happens when I boot into regular mode and not into safe mode because if it was a problem with the ram or the motherboard it would happen in both cases would it not?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Nov 1, 2021 12:30 PM

Reply

Answer 1

marciokoko Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 4, 2021 7:02 AM in response to BDAqua

ok i tried Rember and it got stuck at Bit Flip, which was being tested near the end pretty much. Then i tried the onboard recovery hardware test where i selected the full test and it also hung somewhere around the middle, i didn't take a pic of that one. I could run the recovery hardware test again and take a pic where it got stuck if that would help.

The funny thing is that I can use the safe mode just fine, leave it overnight etc. Of course it sucks cause the screen gets glitchy as it loads things but i can check gmail and browse the web on it just fine.

Reply

Answer 2

marciokoko Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 5, 2021 2:02 PM in response to BDAqua

Oh this is awesome, so my drive is actually an SSD!? Which I should be able to plop into a modern mobo. Or better yet as the article says, simply buy an external case for it and use it as a removable drive!?

Reply

Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

245,567 points

Nov 1, 2021 12:51 PM in response to marciokoko

No, if the RAM is bad in just the right way, it may skip the bad part, though it is a bit curious that Safe Mode skips the test!

Have you tied a RAM tester?

3 Memory Testing Utility for Mac OS X • Raymond.CC

Reply

Answer 4

marciokoko Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 5, 2021 11:01 AM in response to BDAqua

it feels pretty cool to the touch. I dont have the ac on but its feels cool to the touch. Plus how would I get the data off?

and if i cant get it back up and running, what else could I do to get the data off? I understand the ram is soldered on, but could i somehow remove just the drive and read it in some other way?

Reply

Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

245,567 points

Nov 5, 2021 12:09 PM in response to marciokoko

If you could get it to boot... Target disk Mode, as mentioned above.

What year MBA was it again?

Some clues at getting to the drive...

How to access files on failed MacBook Air – Inside my laptop

Upgrading the SSD in your Apple MacBook Air with OWC's 480GB Aura Pro Solid State Drive | TweakTown

Reply

Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

245,567 points

Nov 4, 2021 8:55 PM in response to marciokoko

Possibly, it's called Target disk Mode, hold T key on power-up & see if you get a floating symbol on screen...

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 7

BDAqua

Level 10

245,567 points

Nov 4, 2021 11:28 AM in response to marciokoko

I'd say the problem is definitely RAM then, or possibly Logic Board... have you blown the dust out of it yet?

Sadly the RAM cannot be replaced in the MBAs my friend. :(

Reply

Answer 8

marciokoko Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 4, 2021 11:58 AM in response to BDAqua

no, how do I blow the dust off of it?

Reply

Answer 9

BDAqua

Level 10

245,567 points

Nov 4, 2021 12:19 PM in response to marciokoko

I don't even know if they can be opened or possibly even get dust in an MBA, 'twas just a long shot, sorry. :(

Reply

Answer 10

marciokoko Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 4, 2021 7:02 PM in response to BDAqua

Is there any way to connect to it and get my data out?

Reply

Answer 11

marciokoko Author

Level 1

17 points

Nov 5, 2021 10:15 AM in response to BDAqua

ok i did get the floating flash symbol and then it stayed at that symbol screen for a few minutes, then it started beeping again. Now it just beeps everytime i hit the power button.

Reply