This is a G4 macmini, connected via Apple supplied VGA adapter to a 17inch TFT analog multisync monitor. No other changes or hardware. When I do a cold start I get three beeps, no start up, no signal to the monitor, and the status light continually flashes in groups of three. What does this mean?
You should bring your Mac Mini to your
local Apple Store/Reseller because 3 Beeps usually means that your RAM is not working (in either slot). You may want to look at
Knowledge Base Document #58442 on
Power On Self-Test Beep Definition.
Jon
Mac Mini 1.42Ghz,
iPod (All)
, Airport (Graphite & Express),
G4 1.33Ghz iBook
, G4 iMac 1Ghz, G3 500Mhz, iBook iMac 233Mhz, eMate, Power Mac 5400 LC, PowerBook 540c, Macintosh 128K, Apple //e, Apple //, and some more... Mac OS X (10.4.5) Moto Razr, iLife '06, SmartDisk 160Gb, Apple BT Mouse, Sight..
I guessed that was the problem so I opened the case and reseated the memory and Voila! it is working as we speak. (This was a factory installed 512 MB card that was only partially seated.) Thanks for your help.
Have you considered trying another RAM card? In either case sending it back will fix the problem. I mention it because I don't mind trying my own fixes. Short of a major mother board failure, most problems I have had with my Macs (three or four out of 25 or 30 machines) can be fixed with user replaceable parts. This never ceases to amaze my PC friends who think I am a certified computer technician, when I am nothing more than a small business owner trying to stay on budget. Good luck
I did consider that, but it's still under warranty. I'll send it back and let them worry with it. I figured I would try taking the RAM out and putting it back in, but that didn't work out for me as it did for others.
And I've definitely done plenty of my own upgrades over the years. My old G4 AGP has a 1.2 GHz dual processor in place of the original 400 MHz one and is maxed out in the RAM department too. I repaired my PB keyboard when my 1.5 year old son decided to dash a book onto it while I was typing in the living room. For the most part, I haven't had much trouble doing things myself. I would try putting new RAM in on my own if they'd just send it to me, but knowing my luck it's something worse than just the RAM.
Unfortunately, my nearest Apple-authorized Service Center is about 100 miles from here, so I'll opt for sending it back insured. This will be the first time I've ever had to do this with Apple products in 13 years of owning Macs.
G4 AGP Dual 1.2 GHz; Powerbook G4 15-inch; Mac Mini; Airport Express; 5G iPod Mac OS X (10.4.6) Also a 3G iPod
I am lucky enough to have an Apple store within about 15 miles. I spend toooo much time there. I am waiting for them to call me for advice. I understand the warranty issue. The minis are so inexpensive I keep an extra one around the office to use as a backup in case one of the workstations goes down. It's less expensive than buying Apple care for our computers. Good luck with yours. You will have it back in a few days.
Not to belabor this point... for my own education, if they tell you what was wrong with your system I sure would like to know for future reference. Thanks
