Inconsistent error beep on macbook boot

[rhkamra]

I have a macbook, 2.16ghz core 2 duo, with 1GB apple brand ram in it. Recently the machine has been giving me one long beep upon pressing the power button. The apple knowledge base says this is the computer not finding ram but after the beep the computer continues to boot with no problems. I have tried swapping the ram with another set of ram I have, as well as simply re-seating the ram. Furthermore, this only happens about one in five times I boot the machine. Has anyone else experienced this? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ebel3003]

I'd run a hardware test (hold D while booting with the original discs, I believe) and see if it checks out.

 

[rhkamra]

Thanks for the suggestion. I did that, and no problems found. Really strange.

 

[jasonhavens]

I am having the same problem, which is frustrating because this is my first Mac! I did upgrade the RAM with recommended PNY memory, but it has booted perfectly until a recent software update or two. I ran diagnostics that came with my AppleCare Protection Plan, and all checked out well. If this continues, I will obviously need to seek support from Apple. Any ideas or updates to your experience(s)?

 

[franciozzy]

Same strange beep problem on boot

Hi,

Is this the new SR Macbook (Santa Rosa chipset)?
Mine is a new SR, with 2.20 GHz and X3100 for video.

Out of the box, with 1 GB RAM as well, I've noticed two very strange things:

1) This strange beep once in a while in the boot. It's the same beep that happened during the EFI update a few months ago. Please notice that the led in front of the MacBook will blink repeatedly just before the beep. I don't know what this is about, any news on it? I can't find anything with Apple.

2) The trackpad behaves very strangely. This is being discussed on another thread. If you compare it to an older MacBook (without the SR chipset), you'll notice the older ones moves much smoother. This new one kindda jumps around, specially if you are moving your finger slowly, for example, while trying to get to an specific spot on the screen, and the pointer jumps a few mm in the screen.

Argh... why did I bought the new one...

 

[jasonhavens]

I discovered that my issue was due to the new RAM and not the MacBook itself. The three beeps indicate this issue: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58183. I purchased different RAM (produced by Mushkin), and it works perfectly and was a better deal anyway. I hope that you resolve your issues.

Kind regards,

Jason Havens

Hi,

Is this the new SR Macbook (Santa Rosa chipset)?
Mine is a new SR, with 2.20 GHz and X3100 for video.

Out of the box, with 1 GB RAM as well, I've noticed two very strange things:

1) This strange beep once in a while in the boot. It's the same beep that happened during the EFI update a few months ago. Please notice that the led in front of the MacBook will blink repeatedly just before the beep. I don't know what this is about, any news on it? I can't find anything with Apple.

2) The trackpad behaves very strangely. This is being discussed on another thread. If you compare it to an older MacBook (without the SR chipset), you'll notice the older ones moves much smoother. This new one kindda jumps around, specially if you are moving your finger slowly, for example, while trying to get to an specific spot on the screen, and the pointer jumps a few mm in the screen.

Argh... why did I bought the new one...

 

[faintember]

Also be aware that holding the power button down for 5 seconds will reset the PMU (power management unit), and will result in a long, 8-bit (think NES/1980's games) beep.

I figured this is probably not the problem, but just something to keep in mind.