macbook pro doesnt start and beeps 3 times

3 beeps means it's a RAM problem. I just had this problem and looked up videos to help. Simple Fix for: MacBook Beeping; won't turn on. - YouTube this one was helpful but didn't end up working for me so I put only one of the RAM cards back in and it started working again. It's on 4GB rather than 8 so it's not ideal but it works. I think the other one was malfunctioning but removing it fixed the problem.

It worked! Thanks! anybody know if this actually fixes it or if anything needs to be done to it after a while? If it is a failing RAM I'm sure eventually it'll happen again.. If tapping it on the back helped maybe its dust in the RAM slot?

Thanks everyone for the answers!

3 beeps usually means that memory modules may not be seated properly or not working properly.

If you do not want to check it yourself, you can take the computer to the Apple store to have it fixed.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2341?viewlocale=en_US

Best.

Take the RAM chips out and clean the contacts with alcohol. Install them and make certain that they are properly seated. If no success, try other RAM if available (with the same specifications) or as Dominic23 says, take the MBP to an Apple store.

Ciao.

.. do an smc reset.. then reboot

I just had this problem about 5 min ago.

I closed the lid, flipped my computer over and knocked on the back, now it's back up again. I've always been a pc person and this is my first mac, I guess some methods work for all of them.

3 beeps indicate GPU (video chip) issue. A reflow (heating of the solder balls under the GPU at around 250 degrees) could fix the problem temporary but in order to have a permanent result you need to remove the GPU and replace the solder balls (reballing). If you intent to do just a reflow you will definitelly need apropriate flux to be injected under the GPU. Amtech flux is very good for this job but quite expensive (on ebay most Amtech flux that is offered for under 25$ from China is low quality Chinese copy). There is also CS-FLUX which seems to be flux specially designed for BGA rework by a laptop repair workshop. You can see a few videos about it here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfTs0PdXrvM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgIjdw8aDOA

and it is offered on ebay for around 10Euro for 15cc here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390792468898

There are also some offers on ebay for video repair for Apple boards for around 50-75Euro from the same seller

http://www.ebay.com/sch/www.computer-systems.gr/m.html

CapPet wrote:

3 beeps indicate GPU (video chip) issue.

Not at all. 3 beeps are a RAM issue. Please look at this Apple support article:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1547

Ciao.

Amazing, I just closed the lid, tapped on the back and it worked.

holy **** that worked

Amazing. I had the same problem, reset smu, opened it up and unplugged the battery (MBP15" Mid 2010), Nothing worked. A good whack on the back/bottom and that fixed it. Very cool - like a TV from the 60s. Thanks!

For me it was because of the battery expanding and being no use to the computer

Thank you! It worked!!!

Thanks! It worked!