Mac mini 2011 - 3 beeps

[sgiera]

i have upgraded my Mac mini 2011 with the correct ram type with (8gigs total, 4gigs per stick.). When I turn it on, I get 3 beeps. When i only put in the top slot, I get 1 beep. When I put it in the lower slot, I get 3 beeps. Is the memory I bought bad or are the ram slots bad?

 

[MagicBoy]

Does the original Apple memory still work?

If so, there's your answer.

 

[sgiera]

This was a logic board I received off hand and this is the first time I have tried to power it on.

----------

Went to microcenter and got the crucial ram for mac

 

[MagicBoy]

Here's the article decoding the beep codes at POST : https://support.apple.com/en-gb/ht1547

Assuming you purchased the correct type of memory ... without another set of memory or another Mac to test the memory in it's guesswork at this stage.

 

[sgiera]

3 beeps = no good banks. What does no good banks? Rom slots?

 

[MagicBoy]

Banks of memory. Could the be the RAM, could be the CPU or Logic board.

 

[gixxerfool]

Is the ram installed all the way? Seems simple but easy to miss.

 

[Fishrrman]

Process of elimination is in order.

Try this, step-by-step.

Take both RAM modules out.

Reinstall module 1 into the lower bank.
Boot.
What happens?

Move module 1 into the upper bank.
Boot.
What happens?

Remove module 1 and install module 2 into lower bank.
Boot.
What happens?

Move module 2 into the upper bank.
Boot.
What happens?

 

[sgiera]

Process of elimination is in order.

Try this, step-by-step.

Take both RAM modules out.

Reinstall module 1 into the lower bank.
Boot.
What happens? 1 beep

Move module 1 into the upper bank.
Boot.
What happens? 3 beep

Remove module 1 and install module 2 into lower bank.
Boot.
What happens? 1 beep

Move module 2 into the upper bank.
Boot.
What happens? 3 beep

 

[Rob_Z]

Hello all

I have a similar issue:

I will attach the files of what I am running:

I bought this almost two years ago:

I installed the SSD and no issue yet (that I know of) etc

However this morning my machine froze, the screen essentially "glitched" (for want of a better term) and then started to Beep 3 times.

As you can imagine, my underwear turned a different colour....

So after a quick google search I luckily had the original Ram, reinstalled it and it's working again (for now).

I have been using Mac's since the last few iterations of OS9 were around (which I do actually miss at times like this).

Is there anything I can do to check the Mac myself to make sure it's not something more serious?

Any help anyone can offer is greatly appreciated at this stage.

Cheers

Rob

 

[Dudgeman]

i have upgraded my Mac mini 2011 with the correct ram type with (8gigs total, 4gigs per stick.). When I turn it on, I get 3 beeps. When i only put in the top slot, I get 1 beep. When I put it in the lower slot, I get 3 beeps. Is the memory I bought bad or are the ram slots bad?

Having just gone through heartache, despair, confusion and downright anger trying to install RAM in my Mac Mini mid 2010....you need to double check that the ram PC speed is correct. My Ram is supposed to be DDR3 PC8500 (not easy to find in the UK) 1600mhz. I bought some of an Ebay seller..after much communication he assured me his would work...turns out the 4gb sticks I bought were PC1200 and I got the 3 beeps when I booted...I thought one of the boards was defective so I put in my original 1Gb Pc8500 into top slot and voila I suddenly I had 5gB ram showing. Seems that faster ram can dumb down its speed if there is RAM with the correct speed in one of the slots. I did find an 8gb PC8500 on ebay which I won..My Mac is now flying..running the 8gb as the standard speed and the faster rated 4gb (From original seller) I now have 12gb and the original seller found another 8500 4Gb which he is going to send me. I have no issues with the original seller..he has sold hundreds of RAM boards and had never encountered this issue and has been super helpful. I am not sure if that helps but it goes to show how picky Mac boards can be with regards to RAM.