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TICKET ARCHIVE -> My MacBook Pro is doing something curiou

charlesbledsoe - Mar 17, 2008 - 4:05 am

I recently purchased a new MacBook Pro, and although it functions fine it makes a faint beeping sound fairly often. This is NOT AN ALERT SOUND EFFECT. Muting the audio does not eliminate it. It seems to have nothing to do with the battery, occurring even when the computer is fully charged and plugged into a wall outlet. And it occurs quite randomly. That is, regardless of what I'm doing, or even when I'm not doing a thing. It's been doing this from the beginning, and at first I was concerned that it might be a symptom of an impending functionality problem, but the computer continues to function without any other strange behavior. So it's become simply an annoyance, and I rather resent that a computer I've paid so much for is doing something annoying. I've done a Google search and found that there are others out there who are complaining that their MacBooks are also making a faint beeping noise having nothing to do with any of the usual causes, such as alerts or the battery. But no one has any knowledge of the cause. I called Apple tech support, but the individual I spoke with was pretty much at a loss for explanations. Do you have any theories, or possible solutions. Thank you.

DeltaMac - Mar 17, 2008 - 6:59 am

Hard drives will make unusual noises, sounding like a beep, or make odd tones under certain conditions. It's not a good sound, nor an indication of good equipment... A few other parts of your MB Pro can make beeping noises, including the optical drive. One of the fans could be faulty, and might make a squeaking noise occasionally. The processor can make faint noises, as well.
It will help if you can localize the sound (under the trackpad, near the display, close to the power connector, etc)

None of these noises are normal. Have you tried the hardware test that comes with your restore DVD?
If you have already tested this, and either see an error in that test, or the noise continues - Take your Macbook Pro in for service. If that's not convenient for you, call AppleCare, and ask for mail-in service. Back up your important data before you do this.

charlesbledsoe - Mar 20, 2008 - 1:55 am

Thank you very much for this helpful response. I intend to take your advice, and take the computer in to be checked out by a qualified expert.