Ripping sound at startup, video goes off, makes 3 Beeps

Hi! Three beeps generally has to do with a RAM issue, so I'd try known-good RAM, and also test your memory slots one at a time by putting a module in one slot only, powering on, and then in the other slot only, powering on, and resetting the PRAM immediately before powering up each time. I'd also reset the PMU while you're at it.

One thing with Titaniums is that they use "G3 RAM", with the notch more toward the middle, instead of "G4 RAM" with the notch more toward the end, like Aluminum PowerBooks. I believe they also require PC-133 RAM, as opposed to PC-100, which can be confusing, because both types fit in the same slot, although PC-100 will not work (or I've never seen it work, anyway) in a Titanium. I've come across many Titaniums which I was told were dead, only to find that they had been tested with PC-100 RAM, and replacing it with PC-133 made them come alive again.

That said, Titaniums unfortunately are not holding up well with age, and I rarely get one that doesn't have some sort of motherboard flakiness, or at least a bad RAM slot.

Also, could the "ripping" sound be the sound of a blown speaker? Resetting the PMU should make the computer produce a solid tone, so if that tone sounds distorted or rough, that could be indication of a blown speaker. Just a thought.

Good luck, and let us know what happens!