iBook G3 2001 three beeps

[trelew]

Hi Friends!
This is my first post in MacRumors. I'm very glad to be a new member in this forums.

A friend left me an iBook G3 white to repair. It does not start up: 3 beeps, black display and frontal led shines 4 times (1+3).

I put out the additional RAM to start only with the RAM soldered in the motherboard and the symptoms are the same: 3 beeps and so ...

What do you think?
What can I do?

Many thanks in advance from Madrid

 

[Altemose]

Hi Friends!

This is my first post in MacRumors. I'm very glad to be a new member in this forums.



A friend left me an iBook G3 white to repair. It does not start up: 3 beeps, black display and frontal led shines 4 times (1+3).



I put out the additional RAM to start only with the RAM soldered in the motherboard and the symptoms are the same: 3 beeps and so ...



What do you think?

What can I do?



Many thanks in advance from Madrid

Try removing the battery and holding the power button for 30 seconds. Then reattach the power button and also plug it into AC power. You are going to want to zap the PRAM when it starts and if it starts.

 

[trelew]

Thks Altermose for your quick answer.
I tried but beeps sounds quickly.
Best rgds

 

[iamMacPerson]

Thks Altermose for your quick answer.
I tried but beeps sounds quickly.
Best rgds

So its still beeping? If so, 3 beeps indicates a RAM issue. If there is a SODIMM installed, remove it and test again. If there isn't one, the onboard RAM is bad the machine is most likely dead.

Question though, under the keyboard there is a spec tag. What does it read?

 

[Altemose]

Thks Altermose for your quick answer.
I tried but beeps sounds quickly.
Best rgds

I understand what the problem is. Now it is finding the source and repairing it. Try starting with no RAM what so ever and leave out the AirPort Card if it has one. Then do the 30 seconds hold on the power button and reinstall the RAM. Hold 30 again. Then reinsert the battery and AC adapter.

Sounds weird but I recovered a TiBook that way.

 

[trelew]

I understand what the problem is. Now it is finding the source and repairing it. Try starting with no RAM what so ever and leave out the AirPort Card if it has one. Then do the 30 seconds hold on the power button and reinstall the RAM. Hold 30 again. Then reinsert the battery and AC adapter.

Sounds weird but I recovered a TiBook that way.

I did exactly as follows:
First. No RAM, no airport card, no batttery, no AC plug: 30 seconds hold power button.
Second. Like first + RAM
Third. Like second + battery + AC plug: starting pressing one time (as usual) the power button.
Results. The same symptoms: 3 beeps.

The spec under the keyboard shows: 600MHZ/128MB/Combo

Many thaks for your efforts to help.

 

[Altemose]

I did exactly as follows:
First. No RAM, no airport card, no batttery, no AC plug: 30 seconds hold power button.
Second. Like first + RAM
Third. Like second + battery + AC plug: starting pressing one time (as usual) the power button.
Results. The same symptoms: 3 beeps.

The spec under the keyboard shows: 600MHZ/128MB/Combo

Many thaks for your efforts to help.

My assumption is the Logic Board going bad due to the lack of RAM detection. Even if the RAM stick or slot was busted, you should still be able to start with the onboard RAM.

 

[trelew]

My assumption is the Logic Board going bad due to the lack of RAM detection. Even if the RAM stick or slot was busted, you should still be able to start with the onboard RAM.

As I've said in the first post, starting with the onboard RAM shows the same: 3 beeps and black display. Then, I think the problem is in the onboard RAM.

My question is: Can I do another thing? Do I leave it for sale parts?

Thks again.

 

[Altemose]

As I've said in the first post, starting with the onboard RAM shows the same: 3 beeps and black display. Then, I think the problem is in the onboard RAM.

My question is: Can I do another thing? Do I leave it for sale parts?

Thks again.

You could try putting in a used logic board in?

 

[trelew]

You could try putting in a used logic board in?

I see. I will try to buy one at a reasonable price, otherwise the arrangement will be expensive.
In any case I appreciate your attention to this matter.

 

[Altemose]

I see. I will try to buy one at a reasonable price, otherwise the arrangement will be expensive.
In any case I appreciate your attention to this matter.

As a worst case you could attempt to list it on eBay, Craigslist, or the MacRumors Marketplace!

 

[trelew]

As a worst case you could attempt to list it on eBay, Craigslist, or the MacRumors Marketplace!

I'll follow your advices. Thanks

 

[iamMacPerson]

On the bottom of the machine, does it say copyright 2001? If not, the machine isn't worth saving unfortunately due to the graphics chip problem. Just make sure you buy the exact same board, as the upgraded board from 2002 has the graphics chip problem.

 

[trelew]

On the bottom of the machine, does it say copyright 2001? If not, the machine isn't worth saving unfortunately due to the graphics chip problem. Just make sure you buy the exact same board, as the upgraded board from 2002 has the graphics chip problem.

Yes, it is. It shows 2001.
Many thanks for coop

 

[iamMacPerson]

Yes, it is. It shows 2001.
Many thanks for coop

Yeah, they are nice machine when you max the RAM out. I have had a couple of 2002 and later models and they always gave me that graphics distortion shortly after purchase. I currently have two 2001 models that are fully working, a 500MHz and a 600MHz plus a spare 500MHz for parts.