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CarlosO2 Author

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iMac won't start up, error tones

I am trying to upgrade ram for my iMac 24 inch (early 2009) from 4GB to 8GB with two 4GB 1333 DDR3 because my computer uses those. I've done all the research and reseted PRAM, checked my firmwares and everything is just fine but when I change the memories at the moment I start up the iMac it these tone pattern:

3 short beeps, 3 long beeps, 3 short beeps, pause and starts again.

I've read a lot and can't find information about this pattern, I've tried everything and it won't work, need help!

Posted on Jul 9, 2014 9:06 AM

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Level 10

140,364 points

Posted on Jul 9, 2014 9:34 AM

The beeps indicate:

incorrect or failed RAM or possibly unseated RAM.

Uninstall the new RAM and retest.

iMacs are very sensitive to RAM, most users on this forums recommend OWC (www.macsales.com) or Crucial RAM.

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Level 10

140,364 points

Jul 9, 2014 9:34 AM in response to CarlosO2

The beeps indicate:

incorrect or failed RAM or possibly unseated RAM.

Uninstall the new RAM and retest.

iMacs are very sensitive to RAM, most users on this forums recommend OWC (www.macsales.com) or Crucial RAM.

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Level 7

26,486 points

Jul 9, 2014 9:54 AM in response to CarlosO2

Your early 2009 24" iMac DOES NOT use DDR3 1333MhZ ram. It uses PC3-8500 DDR3 1066MHZ ram. You have the wrong ram.

As rkaufman87 said buy ram from either OWC or Crucial.

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CarlosO2 Author

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Jul 9, 2014 10:54 AM in response to SeaPapp

I know Apple says it uses those but mine works at 1333MhZ and I tried with 1066MhZ too and it didn't work it gave me 3 beeps and a pause.

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Level 7

26,486 points

Jul 9, 2014 4:04 PM in response to CarlosO2

It obviously doesn't work with 1333mhz ram. What brand was the 1066mhz you tried?

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Level 9

77,008 points

Jul 9, 2014 4:42 PM in response to CarlosO2

CarlosO2 wrote:

I am trying to upgrade ram for my iMac 24 inch (early 2009) from 4GB to 8GB with two 4GB 1333 DDR3 because my computer uses those.

Not true, an Early 2009 iMac uses 1066 MHz modules with the following spec's.

PC3-8500

Unbuffered

Nonparity

204-pin

1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM

see > iMac (Early 2009): Memory specifications

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Jul 9, 2014 6:17 PM in response to CarlosO2

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CarlosO2 Author

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Jul 9, 2014 8:41 PM in response to SeaPapp

Both were Kingston and it DOES work with 1333 not like all other iMacs early 2009.

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CarlosO2 Author

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Jul 9, 2014 9:01 PM in response to den.thed

here is a picture from the actual memories, not the new ones, and you can see they are 10600 which means it runs at 1333 MHz

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CarlosO2 Author

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Jul 9, 2014 9:02 PM in response to David M Brewer

Here a screenshot taken from my own iMac and look at the info

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Level 7

26,486 points

Jul 10, 2014 3:04 AM in response to CarlosO2

Return the incompatible ram and purchase compatible ram from either Crucial http://www.crucial.com

or OWC http://eshop.macsales.com

ID strongly suggest using the ram that either company recommends as specific for your iMac.

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Level 9

77,008 points

Jul 10, 2014 4:15 PM in response to CarlosO2

Yes I understand that.

Question is, did you buy it new from Apple with that RAM in it or did you buy it second hand with the incorrect RAM installed in it...?

You see, because originally that iMac only came with 2 1GB modules the were PC-3 8500 1066MHz....

see the spec's at > iMac (Early 2009) - Technical Specifications

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iMac won't start up, error tones

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