I have a 2006 Macbook that when powered up, the screen stays black, the machine beeps 3 times, and sleep light blinks 3 times before the process repeats over and over. When doing a search, I saw something about the RAM but I was hoping a few of you may be able to help troubleshoot and educate me as to what may resolve the issue.
Thanks in advance
MacBook
Three beeps usually means faulty ram...this article explains how to remove/install memory in various models. You might try removing the memory modules, then insert each and see if it will start with all or if one is faulty.
Thanks Ralph.
My laptop is set up like the illustration at the bottom of those directions and I followed the instructions by simply removing the RAM and reinserting it to no avail.
Would it be as simple as buying new RAM and replacing it? If so, here is the RAM that is currently installed but I'm not sure of any of the other specs as far as OS, etc.:
Nanya
NT1GT64U8HB0BN-3C
0815.CN
1GB.2RX8.PC2-5300S-555-12-F1.667
M20840508D.S2
What would you advise me going with if I buy new RAM?
Thanks again
Sorry, after doing a S/N search, it is a 13-inch Early 2008 if that helps
Acording to MacTracker your MB uses 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMMs.
You can get warranted RAM from several sources, but stay away from eBay and Amazon - you've no guarantee what you're getting there.
Most used vendors for Macs are Crucial and OWC (MacSales).
Just enter your details in the chooser and see what's avaialble.
Crucial will scan your MB for you to get the exact right modules if you allow them. (perfectly safe).
Crucial generally stick with Apple's certified maximum (4GB in your case).
OWC do their own testing and will offer a bigger kit if it's known to work (in your case 6GB)
Don't use ValueRAM if you go to another vendor - stick with premium lines.
According to the Everymac site, http://www.everymac.com that MacBook takes PC2-5300 DDR2 667 MHz ram, which Apple says can be up to 4 GB, but some suppliers such as Crucial and OWC say can be as much as 6 GB. If you want to replace the ram, both of those sites are Mac specialists and will provide guaranteed high quality, Mac compatible memory modules.
If you have an Apple store/genius bar accessible it might be worth your time to take the MacBook in and have the techs run some diagnostics just to be sure the fault is in the memory modules and that there isn't an additional problem before you invest in new memory.
Thanks guys.
When on the Crucial site, it's asking for specifics but I really don't know the specs on it. When asking for the specific model, is this what I should select?
MacBook 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (13-inch White)
Yes, and you can get more specific going to the apple in the upper left of the menu bar, About This Mac, More Info, System Report, and look at the info under hardware...will have Mac and a number which indicates the machine type, such as 2,1 or some thing like that.
Try these.
http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgrades.cfm?sort=pop&model=294&type=Memory
If in doubt, give them a call - you'll find either of them very helpful.
Sorry, that Crucial link was for the UK store - here's the US one -
Okay, thanks guys...that's the link I can across as well so I just have to order them now and, hopefully, that takes care of it.
I appreciate all of the input.
Hey, try newegg. I found that my ram was much cheaper on newegg than most other sites. You can usually read reviews to guarantee that it'll work for your product! Good luck!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226044
Newegg used to be really good, but about two weeks ago there was a user on here who had purchased ram from them. The ram did not work, they insisted on charging a 15% "restocking" fee to take it back. Might be cheaper, but better hope it works or it wille end up costing more.
They charge a restocking fee if you purchase the WRONG item. If it is faulty, they'll ship you a new one for free. I've also had them replace parts for free, and I've had the manufacturer reply to my review when stating it didn't work, and the manufacturer was happy to replace it SOLELY from a bad review.
That was a user's oops.
Better to buy from a decent source in the first place, then…
2006 Macbook screen stays black, machine beeps 3 times, and sleep light blinks 3 times before repeating when powered on
