I have another issue with my iMac, the issue is that it beeps 3 times and they repeat when I start up from a Mac OS X install disc. Recently, I inserted a Mac OS X install disc into my computer, and used the Startup Manager to select the install disc and start/boot up from it. After a while at the grey Apple logo screen, the Mac played 3 tones, and then after 5 seconds, the tones played again/repeated, indicating a POSSIBLE hardware issue, and the startup procedure halted. Do you know what three tones, then a five second pause mean on a Mac? Might be an issue with the RAM. Do any of YOU know?
Startup – iMac Beeps 3 Times Repeatedly When Booting from Mac OS X Install DVD
bootmemory
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There should be a point—after you choose the language, but before it starts trying to install the OS—where you see a Utilities option in the menu bar.
Do you get to this point? If so, what happens when you choose Disk Utility?
There's more information about this at Using Disk Utility to Repair a Disk (University of Wisconsin).
OK, now it's a different question, so here's my different answer:
If repairing your main partition is what you want to accomplish, why not just run Disk Utility off the 10.5 system disk?
You might try removing part of your ram and booting up; then trying with the full amount or first one then the other. As for acting up/freezing during operation, I recall having this same behavior with a loose RAM stick once so IMO it would also be worth reseating them. MEMTEST is not perfect BTW.
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Best Answer
3 tones indicate a RAM failure, my recommendation is to remove all the RAM sticks and verify one by one; to identify which one is damaged.
If you need more information check this useful link: About Mac startup tones