Level 1

28 points

Macbook Pro screen glitches, 3 beeps, NOT THE RAM

My Macbook pro has been having screen glitches randomly with lines appearing on the screen and then it suddenly shuts down. Sometimes It beeps 3 times (what everyone claims is a ram issue) and sometimes it does not beep and will just start right back up again. I'm currently using it right now and it seems to be okay but this is always the case. It works fine and then all the sudden it glitches and shuts down. I

I have had the Ram replaced TWICE and have had the ram readjusted in case it has fallen out of place. my computer has passed every hardware test imaginable. Sometimes when I scroll on safari, chrome or anywhere (when its working) the screen glitches and lags really bad. MY computer is literally unusable. I am in nursing school and my computer is vital PLEASE someone help me!!!!

Here is just some details and extra info about what I've tried and researched:

I am currently using it in "safe boot" mode and I turned the SMS (sudden motion sensor) off.

I have done so much research on this issue here is what I have found thus far, obviously the ram issue, A GPU issue, A logic board issue (lets pray its not), a battery issue or a issue with Mavericks. Could it be something I downloaded?

Mac details:

13 Inch MacBook Pro Mid 2012

Processor: 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5

Memory: 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Version: 10.9.1

Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000 1024 MB

This is what it says under SYSTEM INFORMATION Hardware>Memory.Memory Slots:

ECC: Disabled

BANK 0 / DIMM0

Size:2GB

Type:DDR3

Speed:1600MHz

Status:OK

Manufacturer: 0X02FE

Part Number:0x45424A3230554638424455302D474E2D4620

then it has BANK 1/DIMM0 and basically says the same thing

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), SOMEONE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP

Posted on Aug 5, 2014 3:32 PM

Top-ranking reply

S79790079

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Dec 31, 2017 8:38 AM

I had the same problem (3 beeps, horizontal colored lines) with my 13" MacBook Pro (A1278 mid-2012) and it manifested itself a few minutes, sometimes an hour, after the computer was turned on. Then, after it happened once, it would restart, and then happen again right away.

I tried replacing the RAM, I tried switching the RAM around in the different slots in various combinations. Then, it came down to me replacing the logic board. I ordered the right part online (661-6159), I followed all the instructions step-by-step (MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012 Logic Board Replacement - iFixit). Meanwhile, I noticed a ton of dust in the fan vent and under the logic board, so I cleaned all of that up. Also, I noticed that on the original part, there was basically no thermal paste left between the copper heat sink and the processor. When I tried to turn on the MacBook, nothing happened. I think the part was DOA, so I am sending that back for a refund now. Then, it occurred to me that the issue might actually be due to the MacBook overheating. I cleaned up all the crusted thermal paste, removed all the caked-on dust from underneath the logic board, in the fan and in the heat sink venting slots. I put everything back together with a fresh layer of thermal paste, closed everything up, and.... like magic, everything works now.

View in context

174 replies

babowa

Level 9

78,568 points

Jul 26, 2017 9:39 AM in response to peterhamm

I replied to a post made 2 hours ago (as did you) and it was absolutely relevant to that person's post (and the information was correct). Yours was relevant except for the fact that you posted incorrect information - best to check facts before replying.

I am done here.

amorto

Level 1

4 points

Jul 28, 2017 11:36 AM in response to babowa

Settle down people! Surely the point of this thread was the problem many of us were having with Macbook RAM issues, not arguing about who is the greatest Mac guru! The single RAM stick solution suggested here has worked for me so far so I'm glad I came across this discussion.

Aug 23, 2017 11:51 AM in response to igbee

Thanks so much, igbee. I've been struggling with this issue for quite some time with the exact same model. It would intermittently panic and display the screen issues as others reported and it would reboot all by itself. It was guaranteed to happen if I moved/shaked it and would also occasionally happen when I was just typing on it. Every now and then I would hear the beeps as well, but not always. Another issue that I've not seen reported here is that the 'y', 'u', 'i' and 'o' keys would sometimes not work.

So lo and behold, I removed the 4GB module closest to the board, and the issues disappeared. Fingers crossed. I only have half the memory now, but I will try to find a 8GB chip, as you suggested.

Aug 23, 2017 1:50 PM in response to ashlyn7371

I have this problem also but only if I add 2 ram 8gb Kingston , it says 1600 but my Mac show me that is 1333. If I use the original ram the Mac works fine. If I only work with a memory in nearest keyboard slot the Mac do not start and beep 3 times, no matter what 8gb ram install. but if I install 2gb ram in this module it works fine. If I instal a 8gb 1600 elpida it works too.

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 5, 2014 3:58 PM in response to ashlyn7371

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964ashlyn7371 wrote:

I am currently using it in "safe boot" mode and I turned the SMS (sudden motion sensor) off.

Turning off the Sudden Motion sensor is not necessary. I suggest you turn it back on. Your HDD will thank you should it receive a sudden shock.

Open System Information>Memory and post this from your MBP:

When you get a screen 'glitch', take a screen shot and post it.

Perform SMC and PRAM resets:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

Run an Apple Hardware Test:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

Report the results

Download and post the Etrecheck report:

http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck

Ciao.

ashlyn7371 Author

Level 1

28 points

Aug 5, 2014 4:40 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

EtreCheck version: 1.9.12 (48)

Report generated August 5, 2014 at 6:36:39 PM CDT

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) (Verified)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro9,2

1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2 cores

4 GB RAM

Video Information:

Intel HD Graphics 4000 - VRAM: 1024 MB

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software:

OS X 10.9.1 (13B42) - Uptime: 0 days 0:17:38

Disk Information:

APPLE HDD TOSHIBA MK5065GSXF disk0 : (500.11 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 499.25 GB (431.09 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 650 MB

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8

USB Information:

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Thunderbolt Information:

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper:

Mac App Store

Startup Items:

iCoreService: Path: /Library/StartupItems/iCoreService

Launch Daemons:

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist Support

[running] com.trendmicro.icore.av.plist Support

[running] com.trendmicro.icore.main.plist Support

[running] com.trendmicro.icore.wp.plist Support

[running] com.trendmicro.itis.fbdaemon.plist Support

[loaded] com.trendmicro.itis.icore.agent.plist Support

[running] com.trendmicro.itis.plugin.plist Support

Launch Agents:

[running] com.epson.eventmanager.agent.plist Support

[loaded] com.trendmicro.itis.loginmgr.agent.plist Support

[not loaded] com.trendmicro.itis.uimgmt.agent.plist Support

User Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist Support

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support

[loaded] com.trendmicro.itis.uninstaller.plist Support

User Login Items:

iTunesHelper

SpeechSynthesisServer

TmLoginMgr

Internet Plug-ins:

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.4 Support

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.4 Support

Flash Player: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.1.0 Support

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20913.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

Safari Extensions:

Trend Micro Toolbar: Version: 3.0.0.1188

Audio Plug-ins:

BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9

AirPlay: Version: 1.9 - SDK 10.9

AppleAVBAudio: Version: 2.0.0 - SDK 10.9

iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9

iTunes Plug-ins:

Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9

User Internet Plug-ins:

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 Support

3rd Party Preference Panes:

Flash Player Support

Time Machine:

Time Machine not configured!

Top Processes by CPU:

3% WindowServer

1% Microsoft Word

0% TmLoginMgr

0% fontd

0% System Events

Top Processes by Memory:

152 MB Safari

135 MB Finder

135 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent

115 MB Microsoft Word

90 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent

Virtual Memory Information:

61 MB Free RAM

1.69 GB Active RAM

1.64 GB Inactive RAM

621 MB Wired RAM

513 MB Page-ins

156 KB Page-outs

ashlyn7371 Author

Level 1

28 points

Aug 5, 2014 4:44 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thank you so so so very much for your reply!! Above is the check I ran and here below is the screen shot of the memory part. I will run the hardware test but it usually takes at least an hour on my computer. I ahem turned safe boot mode off and the SMS is now enabled again. Also, I have ran the PRAM reset but i will try it again. Thank you so much for your Help and taking the time to help me. I really really appreciate it!

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 5, 2014 4:52 PM in response to ashlyn7371

Go to the TrendMicro web site and look for uninstall instructions. You do not need this AV software and it may very well be the cause of your problems.

Ciao.

ashlyn7371 Author

Level 1

28 points

Aug 5, 2014 6:06 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Okay I uninstalled it. Should I run the hardware tests and let you see the results or run the test I just sent earlier and let you see the results??

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 6, 2014 3:20 AM in response to ashlyn7371

Run it again. The world is not static. 🙂

Run the extended test and be advised that an error free test is not definitive.

Ciao.

ashlyn7371 Author

Level 1

28 points

Aug 9, 2014 1:25 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

EtreCheck version: 1.9.12 (48)

Report generated August 9, 2014 at 3:21:30 PM CDT

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) (Verified)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro9,2

1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2 cores

4 GB RAM

Video Information:

Intel HD Graphics 4000 - VRAM: 1024 MB

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software:

OS X 10.9.1 (13B42) - Uptime: 0 days 0:1:49

Disk Information:

APPLE HDD TOSHIBA MK5065GSXF disk0 : (500.11 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 499.25 GB (429.15 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 650 MB

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8

USB Information:

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Thunderbolt Information:

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper:

Mac App Store

Launch Daemons:

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist Support

Launch Agents:

[running] com.epson.eventmanager.agent.plist Support

User Launch Agents:

[running] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist Support

[running] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support

User Login Items:

iTunesHelper

SpeechSynthesisServer

Internet Plug-ins:

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.4 Support

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.1.0 Support

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.4 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20913.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

Audio Plug-ins:

BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9

AirPlay: Version: 1.9 - SDK 10.9

AppleAVBAudio: Version: 2.0.0 - SDK 10.9

iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9

iTunes Plug-ins:

Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9

User Internet Plug-ins:

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 Support

3rd Party Preference Panes:

None

Time Machine:

Time Machine not configured!

Top Processes by CPU:

4% WindowServer

2% hidd

1% fontd

0% mdflagwriter

0% mds

Top Processes by Memory:

115 MB softwareupdated

98 MB Safari

78 MB Preview

57 MB Finder

57 MB SystemUIServer

Virtual Memory Information:

1.43 GB Free RAM

1.80 GB Active RAM

228 MB Inactive RAM

568 MB Wired RAM

148 MB Page-ins

0 B Page-outs

This report I am sending to you is a report i did right after it did the 3 beeps thing and wouldn't turn on i finally got it to come back on

ashlyn7371 Author

Level 1

28 points

Aug 14, 2014 9:27 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

EtreCheck version: 1.9.12 (48)

Report generated August 14, 2014 at 11:17:48 AM CDT

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) (Verified)

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro9,2

1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2 cores

6 GB RAM

Video Information:

Intel HD Graphics 4000 - VRAM: 1024 MB

Color LCD 1280 x 800

System Software:

OS X 10.9.1 (13B42) - Uptime: 0 days 0:12:1

Disk Information:

APPLE HDD TOSHIBA MK5065GSXF disk0 : (500.11 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 499.25 GB (428.21 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 650 MB

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8

USB Information:

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Thunderbolt Information:

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper:

Mac App Store

Launch Daemons:

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist Support

User Launch Agents:

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist Support

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support

User Login Items:

iTunesHelper

SpeechSynthesisServer

Internet Plug-ins:

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.4 Support

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.1.0 Support

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.4 Support

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20913.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

Audio Plug-ins:

BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9

AirPlay: Version: 1.9 - SDK 10.9

AppleAVBAudio: Version: 2.0.0 - SDK 10.9

iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9

iTunes Plug-ins:

Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9

User Internet Plug-ins:

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 Support

3rd Party Preference Panes:

None

Time Machine:

Time Machine not configured!

Top Processes by CPU:

4% WindowServer

1% hidd

1% fontd

0% Finder

0% mds_stores

Top Processes by Memory:

221 MB softwareupdated

86 MB Finder

68 MB mds_stores

61 MB WindowServer

61 MB CalendarAgent

Virtual Memory Information:

2.98 GB Free RAM

1.97 GB Active RAM

312 MB Inactive RAM

760 MB Wired RAM

254 MB Page-ins

0 B Page-outs

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 14, 2014 10:55 AM in response to ashlyn7371

I am assuming that you still are having problems. I am almost out of ammunition.

I assume that you ran the SMC and PRAM resets.

Update Mavericks to the most recent version.

If you can get a screen shot of when the display has a 'glitch', it would be helpful (especially for the technicians at an Apple store).

Run the Apple Hardware Test again, extended version. Occasionally several runs have been needed to develop errors (Note an error free test is not definitive).

Do you know if your MBP has had a kernel panic? If so log it and post the report:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3742

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2546

The last thing to try is a clean reinstall of the OSX and user data. ( I hope that you do have your data backed up. The report shows you are not using Time Machine)

If no success, then the Apple store genius bar becomes the best option.

Ciao.

ashlyn7371 Author

Level 1

28 points

Aug 14, 2014 12:42 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Anonymous UUID: A1239E13-DD2B-7EB3-42BA-7A7678126F4C

Thu Aug 14 11:06:50 2014

panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff80084dc19e): Kernel trap at 0xffffff80084c91e9, type 14=page fault, registers:

CR0: 0x0000000080010033, CR2: 0xffffff7f98f2bd10, CR3: 0x000000001172403c, CR4: 0x00000000001606e0

RAX: 0x0000000000000007, RBX: 0x00000000000003e0, RCX: 0xffffff8018f29e30, RDX: 0x0000000001000000

RSP: 0xffffff80bfb13f80, RBP: 0xffffff80bfb13fb0, RSI: 0x0000008816260818, RDI: 0xffffff8018f2bc30

R8: 0x0000000000001a0f, R9: 0x0000000000000000, R10: 0x0000000000008000, R11: 0x0000000000000202

R12: 0xffffff8018f2bc30, R13: 0xffffff800841e130, R14: 0xffffff8008a5ba80, R15: 0x000000000100001f

RFL: 0x0000000000010246, RIP: 0xffffff80084c91e9, CS: 0x0000000000000008, SS: 0x0000000000000010

Fault CR2: 0xffffff7f98f2bd10, Error code: 0x0000000000000000, Fault CPU: 0x0

Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address

0xffffff80bfb13c10 : 0xffffff8008422f69

0xffffff80bfb13

Model: MacBookPro9,2, BootROM MBP91.00D3.B08, 2 processors, Intel Core i5, 2.5 GHz, 6 GB, SMC 2.2f44

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000, Intel HD Graphics 4000, Built-In, 1024 MB

Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x01BA, 0x202020202020202020202020202020202020

Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 2 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x02FE, 0x45424A3230554638424455302D474E2D4620

AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0xF5), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.100.22)

Bluetooth: Version 4.2.0f6 12982, 3 services, 23 devices, 1 incoming serial ports

Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en1

Serial ATA Device: APPLE HDD TOSHIBA MK5065GSXF, 500.11 GB

Serial ATA Device: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8

USB Device: Hub

USB Device: FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

USB Device: Hub

USB Device: IR Receiver

USB Device: BRCM20702 Hub

USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller

USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Thunderbolt Bus: MacBook Pro, Apple Inc., 25.1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 14, 2014 12:57 PM in response to ashlyn7371

We have a new wrinkle here. Earlier you posted from System Information the RAM information which showed two 2 GB modules installed. Now the report that you just posted shows one 2 GB RAM module and one 4 GB RAM module:

Have you swapped one 2 GB RAM module for a 4 GB RAM module since the August 5, 7:44 PM post?

Ciao.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Macbook Pro screen glitches, 3 beeps, NOT THE RAM