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Model A1224 / Mid 2007 and Early 2008 / 2, 2.4, or 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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What causes gray screen and a repeating series of 3 beeps?

My intel-based iMac running 10.5 will not turn on. The startup tone is heard, then a gray screen, then a continuing series of three beeps. The response is the same even when the shift key, D key or T key are held at startup. Suggestions? The computer did not suffer any bumps or bruises.

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According to Apple this means that the RAM does not pass the test. There is a RAM DIMM in your computer that is defective. Please follow these directions to take out your ram. Start by taking out one, then starting up the computer. If it works, that RAM DIMM (or RAM stick) is defective. If it doesn't work then its the other DIMM, so reinsert the one you just took out, take out the other, and start up your computer again. In the unlikely event that it still doesn't work, it may mean that both DIMMs are fried and you need to order some ram and test it out with that. Your iMac has a maximum ram capacity of 6 GB.

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Here is the link for the beep code. Ralph +

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1547

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iMacs have a different diagnostic set, why, I am not sure, maybe because it has no power light. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2538

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This worked! I had one bad RAM module. Thanks so much for the help.

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If Gabes answer solved your problem, please Accept the answer so it can be archived for others.

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Worked for me, too. Just wanted to chime in with another confirmation. I got lucky and it booted after removing the first chip. Easily done.

Update

I should have noted that my fix was on a three year old MacBook exhibiting the same symptoms, not an iMac.

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This happen to my IMac (3 short beeps, 3 long beeps etc)

Apple wanted $500 to replace the logic board

I swap the pram battery and the iMac booted like a chame

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Had this problem. Suspect that I was using "sleep" instead of "off" too often. Now switch off regularly and. Problem not recurring.

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delamare1 will be eternally grateful.
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