Won't wake up and beeps when trying to

Question

Level 1

8 points

Won't wake up and beeps when trying to

After my computer has been asleep for a while, and I try to wake it up, it will not wake up. Instead, the screen remains black and a loud beeping occurs. I let the beeping go on, thinking it will end, but it doesn't. The only way I can get my computer to work is to turn the power off on the power strip I have my computer plugged into, then turn it back on and turn on my computer. It seems to be fine after that. Can anyone tell me what the beeping means and how to fix this? Thank You!

iMac (24-inch Mid 2007), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Aug 6, 2013 6:52 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 6, 2013 7:26 PM in response to Saraigate

Normally long non stop beeping means a RAM issue. When you turn the power strip off to your iMac you are resetting the SMC. This could be resetting your RAM and resolving your issue. Im not sure why going to sleep would cause this error though.

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Answer 2

Saraigate Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 6, 2013 10:01 PM in response to macuser7777

It seems to be happening each time I try to wake it up after it has been asleep for at least 15 minutes. How would I know if it is the RAM? Everything runs fine on the computer so I did not figure it was that. Is there a way of checking the RAM to see if there is an issue with it?

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Answer 3

Saraigate Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 6, 2013 10:19 PM in response to Saraigate

I have 4GB of RAM installed.

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Answer 4

nbar

Level 5

7,037 points

Aug 6, 2013 10:28 PM in response to Saraigate

Try and reseat your RAM. If the beeps occur after you have reseated your modules, run the extended Apple hardware test.

Apple Computer Beep Codes

Using Apple Hardware Test - Support - Apple

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Answer 5

Klaus1

Level 9

52,873 points

Aug 7, 2013 1:49 AM in response to Saraigate

Beeps on startup:

1 beep = no RAM installed

2 beeps = incompatible RAM types

3 beeps = no good banks

4 beeps = no good boot images.

5 beeps = processor is not usable

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2538

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Answer 6

Saraigate Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 8, 2013 8:07 PM in response to Klaus1

It beeps more than 5 times. I turned it off after it got to 7.

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Answer 7

nbar

Level 5

7,037 points

Aug 8, 2013 8:11 PM in response to Saraigate

This is hardware. Your RAM did not pass integrity test, though it is recognized.

Run the extended Apple Hardware test, if you able, to confirm faulty RAM:

Using Apple Hardware Test - Support - Apple

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Answer 8

Saraigate Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 10, 2013 12:12 PM in response to nbar

I just performed an extended Apple Hardware Test and it said no issues found. My computer is still beeping when trying to wake it up after it has been asleep for at least an hour and it won't wake up when it does that.

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