Three beeps when trying to install snow leopard

Is the ram of an after-market type? Are the ram sticks fully seated? Macs can be extremely finicky with ram.

My recollection is that 3 beeps is often caused by ram.

Look up your computer on the everymac.com web site and find its exact specifications, including supported OS versions. Early 2011 model sounds too late for Snow Leopard to me and will require whatever was current at the time. It could well be one of these models capable of booting to the Internet (though you may have to deal with Apple about resetting the owner AppleID).

On the RAM, maybe it is good, especially if you find the error was the OS version. Even if it wasn't, trying in a PC is not nessarily the diagnostic test. I recall reading Macs can be more picky about RAM.

Message was edited by: Limnos

JLPS1994 wrote:

my computer, the MBP beeps 3 times, i did a research and looks like its a ram problem,

Read here > https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1547

You can use these Links to check which RAM is suitable for your Mac...

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/

If in the UK... Go to http://www.crucial.com

It is Important to get the Correct and Matching RAM

Three beeps are usually indicative of faulty RAM - are you sure that you have the correct RAM for your particular model? Just because RAM works on a PC doesn't mean that it's the right RAM for your Mac.

Are you also using the machine specific discs that came with the Mac? If not, you can order a set from Apple.

I would, if I were you, check out the RAM first, though. You could use the Apple Hardware Test -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509.

Good luck,

Clinton

About Intel-based Mac Power On Self Test (POST) RAM error codes. - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2341

"Some RAM may appear to pass the Power-On-Self-Test (POST) but still cannot be used by the operating system. In this case, the computer will display a gray screen, sound three tones and blink the power LED on the front of the computer three times, pause, and repeat the blinking until the computer is turned off."

I wonder if using the wrong OS version could also result in a bad RAM message since it too may not be designed to use it. When exactly are these beeps occurring? If early on during POST that would suggest bad RAM. If later I wonder if it is an OS conflict?

Quite possibly. Contact AppleCare to get the Machine Specific discs for your Machine. There will be a small service and handling fee.

Also... as already stated... Macs are very fussy about RAM...

It is Important to get the Correct and Matching RAM

JLPS1994 wrote:

Hello there,

could it be caused by the worng os x, i have os x 10.6.3 ( bought it from apple). do you guys think i need a newer os x. thank you in andvance.

Yes, The early 2011 MBPs came with 10.6.6 and later 10.6.7 installed. Either get replacement disks like Clinton suggested or find a MAC where you can install 10.6.3 on an external drive and update it to 10.6.8. Then you can clone the OS into your MBP.

Ciao.

Lion, Mt. Lion and Mavericks ALL require that the MBP have 10.6.8 installed.

Ciao.

JLPS1994 wrote:

if i buy a new os x, would it be better to buy 10.6.6 or 10.6.8

These versions are not available for Purchase.

The Retail Disc is 10.6.3... which you then Update after the successful install.

For your issue and as stated...

Contact AppleCare to get the Machine Specific discs for your Machine.

To get to 10.6.6 or 10.6.8, you have to install 10.6.3 from DVD and then upgrade to them.

Allan

I would avoid the retail disc. It will not be high enough to install to your Mac. I believe they are all 10.6.3 and you need at least 10.6.6. You need to call Apple Customer Service (not sales) and see if they can send you a copy of the original discs supplied with that model computer. There will be a small fee for them.

Either that, or as already suggested, install 10.6.3 to a hard drive using another computer, upgrade it to 10.6.8, then clone copy it to your computer.