Macbook Won't Boot, Keeps Beeping on Startup

[JagsLive]

I'm helping a friend here trying to get his Macbook back up n running as his Macbook A1181 won't boot and keeps beeping on startup, nothing shows up on the screen, not even an apple logo (screen stays blank/black).

There're two things he's done recently. First he erased the hard disk using DBAN. Second he tried to replace newly bought Kingston Apple 4GB(2x2GB) DDR2 800 MHz ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RMG62Q/ ) with original 2GB(2x1GB) 667 MHz memory. But since Macbook won't power at all with 4GB 800 MHz, he has put the original 2GB 667 MHz memory back. Also, by now he's removed and reinstalled the original memory 5 times to make sure that they've seat in properly.

Now when he boot up the Macbook, with Mac OS X (I think it's 10.5.8) Install Disc# 1 inside the drive, all it does is beeping. He's tried holding 'C'/Shift/Options/Alt and power button etc.. but nothing has worked so far... it just keeps beeping.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks a million in advance.

System specs:
Macbook A1181, 2.4GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB 667MHZ DDR2 SDRAM, Boot Rom Version MB41.00C1.B00

P.S. Apple support page for "MacBook: How to remove or install memory" ( http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1651 ) does say that Mid-2009 Macbook supports 4 GB PC2-6400 DDR2 800 MHz Type RAM

 

[gr8tfly]

Try resetting the SMC. It looks like he tried, but if the battery is removable, there's a different procedure. See http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964

 

[logana]

His 2.4GHz is a 2008 model (not a 2009) and will not boot with 2 x DDR2 800MHz in it....

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

The beeping is because of badly seated ram normally - put the original ram back in - start with just one slot/chip at a time.

He may have a faulty slot. Make sure the ram is pushed in properly to the slots....

 

[JagsLive]

@ gr8tfly

from the link you provided first we tried:
Resetting the SMC on Mac portables with a battery you can remove
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Disconnect the MagSafe power adapter from the computer, if it's connected.
3. Remove the battery.
4. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
5. Release the power button.
6. Reconnect the battery and MagSafe power adapter.
7. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

and then tried this too:
Resetting the SMC for Mac Pro, Intel-based iMac, Intel-based Mac mini, or Intel-based Xserve
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
4. Release the power button.
5. Attach the computers power cable.
6. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

but it still keeps beeping the same with nothing coming up on the display.

@ logana

as I mentioned in the first post, he has put the original 2GB(2x1GB) 667 MHz memory back, and has removed/reinstalled it over 5 times to make sure that they've seated in properly.


So what's next? Many thanks for the replies.

Edit: I don't know about the number of beeps... will report back soon.

 

[JagsLive]

@ logana

thanks for pointing that it's a 2008 model. And as mentioned on this Apple support page ( http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1651 ) I'm gonna ask him to get the 4GB PC2-5300 DDR2 667 MHz Type RAM.

 

[logana]

@ logana

thanks for pointing that it's a 2008 model. And as mentioned on this Apple support page ( http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1651 ) I'm gonna ask him to get the 4GB PC2-5300 DDR2 667 MHz Type RAM.

There is no point in buying more ram - the ram slot may be damaged...

Try one stick of ram at a time in each slot before anything else.

Leave the battery out and the L-shaped cover off the ram slots and just use the ac adaptor till it works

 

[Nidosen]

His 2.4GHz is a 2008 model (not a 2009) and will not boot with 2 x DDR2 800MHz in it....

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

The beeping is because of badly seated ram normally - put the original ram back in - start with just one slot/chip at a time.

He may have a faulty slot. Make sure the ram is pushed in properly to the slots....

[doublepost=1491316765][/doublepost]Hi

I have problem with my macbook pro from 2010 i get 3 beeps , i tried with changing batteri and changing ram but no luck , every installed a new harddrive.
any suggestion are preciated.

 

[walkergang]

Logana rouwere right. One of the ram ports was shot. I put 8mg ram in good slot and it's up and running.

Thanks

 

[MacNavy]

Logana rouwere right. One of the ram ports was shot. I put 8mg ram in good slot and it's up and running.

Thanks

Same for me! After a week of problems!!!