Some of these won't work if you've enabled a firmware password. X: Force Mac OS X to boot (if you've got other OSes installed) Hold down these buttons at startup for the following functions.

You can then copy your files off it and back them up. Then plug a FireWire cable between your Mac and another - yours will appear on its desktop as a removable drive. To back up your files in Target Disk mode, hold down T as you switch on your Mac until the FireWire icon appears on your screen. If your Home folder was encrypted with FileVault, and you don't have the password, your Home folder's contents will be gone. In the Installer's Utilities menu, choose Reset Password. If none of this helps, restart with the OS X DVD, holding down C. In FileVault this button is labelled Reset Password. If you are the main administrator, try the Forgot Password button on the login pane. If the issue persists still after this we'd be looking at more serious issues such as the main logic board, and on a machine of this age there is not much point in any more in depth repairs, however the next step would be to open the top case and check for loose connectors, debris and liquid damage.The main administrator can change passwords in System Preferences > Accounts.

PC5300 or whatever.įollowing this when you have rebuilt the machine follow the instructions also for a SMC/PRAM reset.Īgain these instructions are clearer than what I could write:Īfter this if the issue continues try finding some cheap replacement sticks on eBay and follow the guide to replace them. While you have the RAM out take a photo of the label, it should say how many GB each chip is and what type i.e. I could not describe it better than this iFixIt guide: There could be a large number of issues, but as you've said it could be the RAM chips, we should start with the possibility that the RAM has become loose, you should try reseating the RAM.

Macbook pro 3 beeps how to boot up