As in the case of Windows PCs, Mac computers can inform the user about certain hardware problems by means of a sound signal even during the loading of the operating system. There are only a few possible options for errors in the case of Apple devices, so it will not be difficult to remember them.
Experienced Windows users know that the BIOS / EFI of a regular computer can produce more than a dozen different signals, in the case of a Mac there are only four. On some Apple computers, these beep sequences may play at the beginning of the startup process, when there is no display on the screen (and this is not a ringtone that plays on a Mac during normal startup).
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How to detect a Mac crash by its startup sound
- One beep every 5 seconds: RAM board (s) was not found, you should check the presence and correct installation thereof;
- Three single beeps at 5 second intervals: the problem is also related to the RAM, the system cannot verify the integrity of the data, it is necessary to check the correct installation of the boards;
- Three long, three short and three long beeps: EFI firmware corruption has occurred. In this case, the computer will restore the software on its own, and you should not try to reboot or disconnect it from the power source;
- Continuous beep when pressing and holding the power button: EFI is being flashed, valid for 2012 or earlier Macs.
Important! For Mac 2008 or older, you will need to use the Firmware Restoration CD to restore the EFI firmware. If it is absent, the required image can be downloaded from the official Apple website from the download section.
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