Eric Cappotto

Q: Quicksilver G4 10.4.11 Chimes 3 Times The Doesn't Start

Hi There,

My aging Mac chimes 3 times at start up, the monitor never starts up, it still has the light on like it's on stand-by.

Also, the power light on front of the tower blinks once, then 3 times in succession..  Then nothing..

Does anyone have idea what this might be.

I read somewhere that it sounded like ram failure, so I opened the Mac and re seated all the cards (3) then restarted with the same results..

Any help or advice would be appreciated..

Eric

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), null

Posted on Mar 7, 2016 11:00 AM

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Q: Quicksilver G4 10.4.11 Chimes 3 Times The Doesn't Start

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Mar 7, 2016 11:02 AM in response to Eric Cappotto
    Level 9 (53,665 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 7, 2016 11:02 AM in response to Eric Cappotto

    What do all those "beeps mean at start up? - http://forum.insanelymac.com/lofiversion/index.php/t62919.html

     

    Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2 - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1547 - older Macs


    http://discussions.apple.com/message/8714455#8714455

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Mar 7, 2016 11:05 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 5 (7,580 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 7, 2016 11:05 AM in response to Limnos

    Howdy Limnos

     

    1st link is a tad "old" perhaps? (happens to my bookmarks as well)

    screenshot-www insanelymac com 2016-03-07 13-03-25.png

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Mar 7, 2016 11:11 AM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 9 (53,665 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 7, 2016 11:11 AM in response to ChitlinsCC

    Oh well, it happens, particularly for G4 vintage links.  Fortunately I still have the contents and I quote:

     

    http://forum.insanelymac.com/lofiversion/index.php/t62919.html

    What do all those "beeps mean at start up?

    What do the beeps during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) mean?

     

    The power-on self-test resides in the ROM of the computer. Only computers that are based on the ROM-in-RAM (New World) technology, such as the iMac, Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White), Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics), PowerBook (FireWire) and PowerBook G3 Series (Bronze keyboard) will generate these beeps.

     

    This test runs whenever the computer is powered on After being fully shut down (the power-on self-test does not run if the computer is only restarted).

     

    If a fault is detected during the test, you will not hear a normal startup chime. Instead, the system will beep as explained below.

     

    If you experience one of these beeps, you should call your Apple-authorized service provider for additional troubleshooting assistance.

     

    1 beep = No RAM installed/detected

     

    2 beeps = Incompatible RAM type installed (for example, EDO)

     

    3 beeps = No RAM banks passed memory testing

     

    4 beeps = Bad checksum for the remainder of the boot ROM

     

    5 beeps = Bad checksum for the ROM boot block

     

    Products introduced after October, 1999 use a revised set of power on self-test beeps during startup.

     

    The power on self-test resides in the ROM of the computer. This test runs whenever the computer is turned on after being fully shut down (the power-on self-test does not run if the computer is only restarted).

     

    If a fault is detected during the test, you will not hear a normal startup chime. Instead, the system will beep as explained below.

     

    If you experience one of these beeps, you may call your Apple Authorized Service Provider for additional troubleshooting assistance.

     

    1 beep = no RAM installed

     

    2 beeps = incompatible RAM types

     

    3 beeps = no good banks

     

    4 beeps = no good boot images in the boot ROM (and/or bad sys config block)

     

    5 beeps = processor is not usable

     

    In addition to the beeps, on some computers the power LED will flash a corresponding number of times plus one. The LED will repeat the sequence after approximately a 5-second pause. The tones are only played once.

     

    Note: In this case, a flash is considered to be 1/4 second or 250 ms or greater in length.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Mar 7, 2016 11:18 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 5 (7,580 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 7, 2016 11:18 AM in response to Limnos

    ... Fortunately I still have the contents and I quote:

    ...

    How did I know that this was likely? You da man! That's how!

  • by Eric Cappotto,

    Eric Cappotto Eric Cappotto Mar 7, 2016 11:22 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 2 (204 points)
    iBooks
    Mar 7, 2016 11:22 AM in response to Limnos

    So do you think that all the ram fried at the same time??

  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Mar 7, 2016 11:55 AM in response to Eric Cappotto
    Level 9 (53,665 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 7, 2016 11:55 AM in response to Eric Cappotto

    Unlikely it fried at the same time unless in doing so it was due to something else going wrong farther up the line.  I don't know much about the hardware but if all the lights went out on my car at once I would think it was more likely a fuse or something rather than all the bulbs, though the bulbs could be broken if what caused the fuse to blow also fried the bulbs too. If you get my drift.

     

    Have you tried all the systematic testing outlined in the other link? Have you run Apple Hardware Test (you have to have the original discs that came with the G4)?

  • by Eric Cappotto,

    Eric Cappotto Eric Cappotto Mar 7, 2016 11:36 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 2 (204 points)
    iBooks
    Mar 7, 2016 11:36 AM in response to Limnos

    I can't open the CD drive..  Because the computer won't start??

    I did notice a red light on inside the Mac that I've never noticed.  On solid red..  (after pushing the power button.

    Thanks for your assistance..

  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Mar 7, 2016 11:47 AM in response to Eric Cappotto
    Level 9 (53,665 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 7, 2016 11:47 AM in response to Eric Cappotto

    This is really more a PPC hardware question than a Tiger one. If you like we can request this be relocated to the correct forum.

     

    I believe you need to hold down the C key on boot to prompt it to start from the CD.

  • by Eric Cappotto,

    Eric Cappotto Eric Cappotto Mar 7, 2016 11:48 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 2 (204 points)
    iBooks
    Mar 7, 2016 11:48 AM in response to Limnos

    Yes Limnos,

    If you would like to redirect me that would be great. (to what ever forum you think would be helpful)

    Thanks!

    Eric