MacBook Air all nighter (long rant).

I bought a macbook air recenty and have had problems that started to out of the box (mostly my fault). I could't wait to charge it and I booted it right away. It took longer than what I had anticiapted and so I pressed the power button for longer than 5 seconds, which aparently triggered the firmware restoration process. Now every few times that I boot I get 9 very irritating beeps. I
did some research and found out that I needed to download, burn and run the restoration cd from apple, a compatible version. None of the versions had the air on the list, I tried more than one.

I used an external LG slim DVD writer (which getting a hold of is another long story). Rebooted a dozen times with more than one version, with no avail. I contacted apple support and after filling out a lot of stuff and typing the hole story, I get a message that there is an error and try again later!

I'm in Kuwait, wihout decent mac support, doing this myself is my best bet. I eventually gave up and shut the air down. I booted it one set time to check my email and got the dreadful beeps, but this time followed by a loading bar that was working, exactly how apple support described it and things seems to be ok.

The weirdest thing is that not only was the restoration cd not in, the whole DVD writer wasn't even connected. I'm really confused. Either the air fixed itselfout of pity or things are more messed up than I thought! If I hear those beeps one more time I will interpret them as a message from mac that says (get back on a thinkpad you **** fool!).

If I created a new account and deleted this one, would it technically restore factory settings and make me and my air start a new page?

 

Help please!

 

Don't know if this helps you but it seems to be related: I had a LG USB powered slimwriter with the Macbook Air but could not boot of it.

All problems disappeared when I got a Samsung externally powered writer.

 

Yeah, I thought so. I think I should get either that or the mac portable super drive. I think I'll just take it to the store and have them deal with it. I'll insist on a replacement if it doesn't work. I'll also instruct them on how to fix it!

The sound is back this morning, I just created a new a count and am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Would a fresh install of Leopard get rid of the problem? Would it somehow stop the Air from going into firmware restoration mode?

Sam, where art thou?

 

I would definitely give a fresh clean install a crack. If you still have problems after that then I would take it back to apple for a service.
a

 

a clean install pritymuch fixes anything unless its hardware based and if its a hardware based problem then take it back

 

Yeah, definitely do a reinstall, that will basically diagnose whether it is software or hardware. If it still doesn't fix it, then you should contact Apple for repairs, if it does, well you're happy!

Reinstalling doesn't take much more than two hours or so anyway!

 

Thanks guys. I just went ahead and fresh installed Leopard but the problem wasn't solved I guess it's a hardware issue, will run it to the shop today, without much hope. Mac support in Kuwait is non existent. I'm sure they will try to re-install Leopard "format it" a couple of times, then stall a couple of weeks, then maybe offer me a replacement. I can't wait that long but what can I do.

Thanks anyway, you've all been very helpful.

 

np man and good luck with getting it back asap ^^

 

I took the laptop to the shop today, they promised to have it fixed within a week. Otherwise they will give me a relacement!

The guy kept opening the trash thinking it was system properties. So I guess I'll just have to wait it out. I'm actually glad this happened, now I get to spend more time with my iPhone.

 

I managed to get me a replacement! The techs were clueless, but very helpful I'm receiving my new Air tonight!