4GB RAM upgrade iMac 7.1 into a coma

OK. Trying to upgrade my Dad's 20" iMac (v7.1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz) from its base 2GB RAM to 4GB.
Followed instructions explicitly and installed a pair of compatible 2GB modules from Crucial. Switch Mac back on and fan whirls but screen doesn't appear and machine 'acts dead'. NOT grey screen of death - just nothing - blank screen.
So remove one of the modules and the machine works fine BUT ONLY WITH 3 GB RAM. Doesn't seem to matter which slot the 2GB module is in, a total of 4GB results in the machine not starting. I got a replacement pair of modules from Crucial, incase one of them was duff, but the problem persists.
I've seen this posted a couple of times in other fora, but no solutions posted.
Any suggestions?
Cheers
J

Hi J
Welcome to Apple Discussions
Are they PC2-5300 667MHz modules?
The reason I ask is because a single PC2-6400 800MHz may work in that model mixed with a PC2-5300 667MHz module, but a pair of PC2-6400 800MHz modules will not.
If you ordered the correct specification modules and they are not working, then send them back and order from OWC.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/53IM2DDR4GBK/
Dennis

Similar Messages

Problems with RAM upgrade iMac G5 1.8GHz

Stuck - Need Help!
I've previously upgraded up iMac to 2 500Mb RAMs and felt recently that it needed that little bit extra, so I ordered two 1Gb chips from crucial.
Followed instructions to T, but with the two new chips in, the machine won't load.
Interestingly, it boots up with the following RAM combinations
old 500MB + new 1GB (in any combination) - recognised as 1.5GB
one new 1GB RAM (again either one) - recognised as 1GB
I spoke to crucial who said that as the RAMs work individually, there isn't a problem with them, it could be a Firmware issue. I've upgraded all my software, and don't know what to do next?
Anyone overcome a similar problem in the past?
Thanks

I'm experiencing something very similar to shaow. I'll share my experience in gory details - sorry for the long post but I've spent more hours trying to stabilize. I should have worked the hours at walmart and bought a new iMac with the money I could have earned
Anyway, here goes:
Two iMac G5 1.8Ghz 17" (both Fall 2005 model), will call one A and the other B.
Prior to attempting ram upgrade: A, config working fine: both a config using 1GB slot 1, 256MB slot 2 and a single 1 PC3200 1GB stick. OS X 10.4-10.5.7. No problems. I did have the motherboard replaced under warranty after having sleep problems - capacitors were expanded. No problems since that motherboard swap.
Prior to attempting ram upgrade: B, config working fine: 2 x 256MB sticks. OS X 10.3.9
Ordered 3 PC3200 400Mhz 1GB sticks from Data Memory Systems.
Upgraded A: Added 1GB stick = 2GB total
Upgraded B: Removed both 256MB sticks from B and added two 1GB sticks = 2GB total
Booted B, experienced gray screen of death with the multi-language crash message - somethign like: 'Please hold down the power button and restart'. Power cycled B, booted off a retail box DVD of OS X 10.5.6. Began upgrade to 10.5.6. Gray screen of death part way thru upgrade. Power cycled, gray screen of death again during early boot phase.
Decided to run tests on B. I could not locate the Apple Hardware Test (neither on system dvd 1 nor on a separate DVD). I resorted to using TechnoTools Deluxe which was included with AppleCare box. No hardware problems found including on the 2GB memory.
Removed both new 1GB sticks, pulled older working 1GB stick from A and installed into B. Completed upgrade with just 1GB memory on B to 10.5.6 and subsequently pulled down all updates for OS X 10.5.8. Powered down, added second 1GB stick to B, booted into 10.5.8 successfully. Repaired disk permissions, restarted. Began using applications, then after only about 5 minutes experienced gray screen of death. Powered down, removed new 1GB stick, replaced with one of the two remaining new 1GB sticks. Read about reseting PRAM/NVRAM. Followed steps to reset PRAM then decided to do the reset NVRAM within openfirmware. Started back up and logged into 10.5.8. Ran several applications - did not experience gray screen of death after about 20 minutes use. Have not had time for further tests on B yet.
Back to my saga with A (my original iMac G5 that was working fine with 1GB stick on 10.5.7):
Called Data Memory Systems and they sent me a replacement for the 'bad' 1GB stick.
While I was waiting for the new 1GB stick from DMS, I was struggling to get machine fully updated. Software Updater was failing with the weird network error (network was fine) and after following steps to troubleshoot, I backed up the user accounts and decided to reinstall OS X fresh from the 10.5.6 retail box (family license). Finally, I had OS X 10.5.8 all fully updated on the 1GB iMac G5 (A).
New memory arrived, installed 2nd 1GB stick. Booted up, immediately I got the gray screen of death. Restarted, booted up got about 5-15 minutes use then gray screen of death. Puzzled, I called DMS who said unlikely I got 2 bad sticks. They suggested I try memtest. So I did...
So on A, I first ran memtest from single user mode on the 2GB config. It crashed immediately with some 'Unexpected' error. Did not look like a memory error. I powered down, removed 2nd 1GB stick, and ran memtest from single user on the 1GB stick. Ran all tests 3x over a couple hours - no problems found. Retested after swapping the 1GB stick for the other. Both tested fine. Installed both sticks again and ran memtest all tests, one pass (didn't want another 6 hours lost) on the 2GB config, and all tests passed. Booted up and got gray screen of death - I don't recall if it was on bootup or after running but I ran fsck with no disk problems found, then restarted, logged in, ran disk utility to repair all permissions. Some repairs were made. Restarted A, reset PRAM and NVRAM again, booted successfully.
I haven't had much time to run extensively apps on A yet. It's sleeping as I type this on another mac. My next test will be to reset SMU.
I'm starting to wonder if the original iMac G5 has firmware problems that would prevent it from being unstable with two 1GB sticks??? My experience on two identical models of iMac G5 plus reading this post with VERY similar behaviors and after all the normal tests. I've concluded the memory is A-OK and something more sinister is lurking...
Any thoughts are appreciated.

RAM upgrade, iMac 2010

All the tutorials on apple.com direct me to upgrade my 4gb ram iMac to 6 or 8gb, that is, to use either a 2gb card or a 4gb card. Can I, and if not, why can't I, use a 1gb card and upgrade to 5gb?

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4255
"You can use RAM module sizes of 2 GB or 4 GB in each slot. "
Hence, my 4 with added either 2 or 4 gb.
Also, I think OWC might be abit out of my range given that I'm posting from Brazil hehe.
The thing is, I just happen to have a spare 1 gb ram card in my drawer and I figured I'd add it to ease the load my VMs cause.

2 x 4GB RAM upgrade doesn't work

Hi :-)My touchsmart 600 pc has 2 x 2 GB RAM. I have tried to upgrade it with 2 x 4GB RAM but it's not working. I have tried to only use one 4GB in the pc and end with diffenrent scenaries. The first 4GB block the computer starts up and freeze at the windows startup screen.The second 4GB block the computer comes to windows screen and rebooting over and over.If I put both 4GB blocks in the computer starts up with the blue screen and start rebooting over and over again. It's these 2 x 4GB RAM I have brought:http://www.proshop.dk/RAM/Kingston-ValueRAM-SO-DDR3-1333-DC-8GB-2400944.html I'm running now with the 2 x 2GB RAM the computer came with and it's running fine. I have tried to run the diagnostic program at startup and it says passed to all the tests. What can I do to make this 2 x 4GB RAM working ? Best regards Carsten Smitt

If you are sure you have pushed the memory stick in firmly (and you really have to push), and you heard a click, then it is very likely the memory is defective and should be returned. Most companies have a lifetime guarantee on RAM and you should have no problem getting a new stick.

Satellite L70-A-11C does not power on after 4GB RAM upgrade

Hello,
I wanted to add 4GB RAM and I've taken a DDR3 1600 MHz SoDimm from Corsair.
When the RAM is plugged alone or with the original RAM, the laptop does no start at all!
I tested this RAM with a other laptop and the RAM works perfectly.
I suppose that only the DDR3L type (1.35V) is accepted and not the DDR3 (1.5 V). Can you confirm?
Do you recommend a specific brand or a type of DDR3L which is for sure compatible with the Satellite L70-A-11C?
Thx in advance
CortX

Hi
As far as I know the compatible 4G RAM module from Toshiba has the part number +PA5104U-1M4G+
The Toshiba PA5104U-1M4G module is exactly the same like the module from Kingston +KTT-S3CL/4G+
The Kingston KTT-S3CL/4G supports *1.35V* and therefore I assume that you have to use the modules supporting the 1.35V and the 1.5V modules would cause the mentioned problems.
Hope this would help you to get the right RAM module.

07' Mac Mini 4GB Ram Upgrade Not Working.

I have a 2007 Mac Mini (Intel Core 2 Duo) which runs slow with 1GB ram. I purchased two 2GB sticks of ram and replaced the two stock ram sticks previously making 1GB ram - But my Mac Mini will not boot with 4GB ram in it. I tried taking one stick out, leaving one 2GB stick in with no luck, and so I have no other ideas. I was told that this would be no problem, and I installed it all correctly following every procedure necessary.
Can anyone help me?

Komputerbay ram is sketchy at best, and another user here:http://forums.macrumors.com had the same experience you are having with that memory, the Mac will not even boot.
The memory for Macs has to be very precise, 5300/5400 is not acceptable as a rule. It must be straight 5300. If you can, return the memory modules and buy some guaranteed to work with your Mac. Go to OWC, http://www.macsales.com or Crucial, http://www.crucial.com who guarantee their memory to work or your money back.

Can't get 4GB RAM Upgrade to work in 2.8GHz iMac

I bought two 2GB RAM Modules @ Frys to replace the 1GB in my 2.8GHz iMac 24". It was a Mac Refurb bought from their store. When I put in both 2GB, it won't boot up. It will boot up with one 1 and one 2, for a total of 3GB. Both are running @ 667 MHz, however the 2GB is a Crucial and they say I should run part # CT817145. http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=39D3BF46A5CA7304
What I got from Frys is part # CT25664AC800. http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=F4042F1EA5CA7304
Crucials site shows the specs to be the same at first glance.
I swapped slots all around and still no dice, it won't start with both 2GB's.
So why is it booting from 3GB and not 4GB?
Can anyone be of help besides taking both back and getting the part number Crucial says, even though the specs appear to be similar.
Thank you so much!

Hello cwinkler
Use this first article to identify exactly which iMac model you have:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1463?viewlocale=en_US
The following article's are the iMac Spec's for the mid 2007 and Early 2008.
http://support.apple.com/specs/imac/iMacMid2007.html
http://support.apple.com/specs/imac/iMacEarly2008.html
To me it's sounds like you have a Mid 2007 2.8GHz that uses PC2-5300 667GHz, only the Early 2008 models use PC2-6400 800MHz ram.
Dennis

New iMac: 4GB RAM upgrade does not boot

I have a new 24" 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme iMac. Bought the Crucial 4GB kit. Installed both sticks, but the iMac would not boot. I heard the hard drive spinning, but it would not boot. I removed a stick from the first slot ("first" from left to right looking at the screen), and inserted the 1GB oem stick. It booted fine. I thought I had a DOA 2GB stick, so I returned it to Crucial. Got my new replacement memory and tried again. Still would not boot. Switched slots. Same problem. Replaced the OEM 1GB in the first slot again, it it booted fine. I tried every configuration, and the only thing that works is the 1GB OEM in the first slot and one 2GB Crucial stick in the second slot. I cannot get 4GB of RAM to work. Any suggestions?

With the orginal 1GB and a 2GB module installed are you seeing all 3GB in "Apple / About This Mac" and Reading system memory usage in Activity Monitor?
Resetting the PRAM can solve certain startup problems.
Try installing the 2x2GB kit and restart the Mac immediately press Command-option-P-R and hold the keys down until the Mac chimes a second time. This resets the information in the Mac’s parameter RAM (PRAM) to its default values. The PRAM is a special area of RAM where data is retained even after you shut down the Mac.

MacBook 4Gb RAM Upgrade, OS only sees 2.7Gb?

Hi,
I upgraded my macbook 2GHz aluminium today from 2Gb to 4Gb. I am running Windows Vista32.
I understand the limits of 32 bit addressable space, and the fact that video cards / chipsets etc will take away from the amout of memory that the OS can address, but losing 1.3Gb is excessive. Where has it all gone?
For comparison, I run other machines here (PC's) with Vista32 that have no problem seeing 3.3Gb of RAM, despite having much more video RAM, more PCI expansion cards etc to address from the 4Gb pool.
Any ideas?

JoeyR wrote:
Vista 32 bit will only see about 3.3GB to start with. Take away 256MB of shared RAM for your video card... and you're down to 2.7GB. That's it. You're not losing 1.3GB... you're not actually losing anything.
How does 3.3 - .256 = 2.7?
The amount of RAM that the OS can see is determined in the BIOS. So (minus the 256Mb for the video card) what is the BIOS allocating the other 1.05Gb to and can this be changed? IE, video card aperture can be changed in BIOS, can this be changed in EFI? There should be no reason to reserve this amount of address space on a relatively low spec machine.
+The PCI memory addresses starting down from 4 GB are used for things like the BIOS, IO cards, networking, PCI hubs, bus bridges, PCI-Express, and video/graphics cards. The BIOS takes up about 512 KB starting from the very top address. Then each of the other items mentioned are allocated address ranges below the BIOS range. The largest block of addresses is allocated for today’s high performance graphics cards which need addresses for at least the amount of memory on the graphics card. The net result is that a high performance x86-based computer may allocate 512 MB to more for the PCI memory address range before any RAM (physical user memory) addresses are allocated.+
http://h20331.www2.hp.com/Hpsub/downloads/RAM%20Allocation%20w-WinXP_HP%20MWP%20 x64%2003Nov05.doc

Pros and cons of Quad Ram upgrade

Hi everyone -
I've checked the PPC G5 Memory Specs and Requirements for a Quad.
What are the pros and cons of installing a 4GB ram upgrade (if I'm going to upgrade why not get a lot, I plan to use all of the available slots)? Are there any brands to watch out for or avoid?
Thanks in advance for your responses.

Hi-
Pros are better peformance and ability to maintain more open applications. Current prices are lowest in history.
Cons, none that I can think of.
+Avoid any memory that isn't specifically guaranteed to be Mac compatible.+
*Your spec is PC2-4200 (DDR2-533) 240-pin SDRAM DIMMS.
*The RAM expansion slots accept 240-pin DDR2 SDRAM DIMMs that are 1.8 volt, unbuffered, 8-byte, ECC and non-ECC, and DDR2 533 MHz (PC2-4200) compliant.
*Additional DIMMs must be installed in the bank slots in pairs of the same size and type; ECC and non-ECC cannot be paired in a single bank.
RAM Expansion Product-Specific Details

Ram upgrade for mac Book Pro mid 2009

Hi, I just bought 2x Kingston 4GB ram upgrades for mid-2009 MacBook Pro. First I don't notice any difference in speed. Second, the computer (in about this mac, activity monitor) doesn't seem to acknowledge it now has 8gb of ram not 4gb. Why would these be so?

You should be able to install 8GB I would check to make sure it has a secure connection. Maybe one of the RAM sticks is bad, or the port itself is bad.
13-Inch Mid 2009: http://support.apple.com/kb/sp541
15-Inch Mid 2009: http://support.apple.com/kb/sp544
They both state that they can support up to 8GB of RAM.

Is there any way to upgrade my mid-2007 imac to more than 4GB RAM?

From what i've read it sounds like 4GB RAM is the most that my iMac is capable of using, but i' m hoping that isn't true. even though it operates plenty fast for my current needs, it would always be nice to have the option. any info will be appreciated. thanks.
current 'about this mac' :
iMac
24-inch Mid-2007
Processor 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Graphics ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256 MB
Software OS X 10.8.1 (12B19)

Yes, 6GB is possible...
Hardware Overview:
Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac7,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 6 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
As Seventy One mentions... OWC.

I'm thinking about purchasing a 21.5" iMac. The base model comes with 8GB of RAM, and the RAM is not user-upgradeable down the road. Is 8GB enough memory or should I upgrade to 16GB?

I'm thinking about getting a 21.5" iMac which comes with 8GB of RAM. Unfortunately, the RAM is not user-upgradeable. Do you think 8GB is enough memory, or should I upgrade to 16GB? Besides internet surfing and email, I like to play flash games and listen to internet radio. Occasionally, I might want to stream a movie. I would greatly appreciate any advice you could give me.

For what you list, 8GB should be adequate. I ran with 4GB without any issue for over a year in my iMac i7 before I added RAM, primarily for running Win 7 via Bootcamp.
The tasks that need a lot of RAM are typically video editing/production, heavy-duty photo manipulation (not iPhoto or PS Elements), and professional page layout like Adobe Creative Suite. If you think that, down the road, you may want to delve into those fileds with this computer, by all means get the extra RAM.
I like to play flash games
I didn't try a lot of Flash games while I still had 4GB RAM but those I tried ran without issue and without causing a non-trivial number of page-outs

Problems with Installing 4GB RAM on mid 2007 iMac

I ordered 2 X 2GB sticks of PC2-5300 DDR2 SODIMM RAM for my Boss's mid 2007 iMac from Crucial.com. Well they arrived a few days later and today I have been trying to install them for a few hours now without any luck. I have installed new RAM about 5-6 times without any problems before on different MacBooks and iMacs. After this install I plugged back into the wall and hit the power button, the iMac made a little noise (internal noise) then nothing, just a blank screen. I thought maybe the RAM was bad so I inserted 2 other chips (we ordered 4 X 2GB to upgrade 2 iMacs) and still no luck. After making sure the iMac would boot with the old RAM (which it did), I tried installing 1 X 1GB with 1 X 2GB and it booted up perfectly. I did this with all four 2 GB RAM chips to make sure they all worked and they did. Each time I successfully booted, I went to the system profiler to make sure it recognized 3GB of RAM and it did. So my question is why is this mid 2007 Aluminum iMac not working with 4GB of RAM, but it works perfectly with 3GB? Thanks in advance, sorry for the long question.

+It seems to me that it is not just a problem with the RAM but with the imacs themselves.+
How does this make any sense when one considers that Apple successfully specified, produced, sold and delivered all three iMac (mid 2007) models with an optional 4GB of RAM pre-installed?
In addition, Apple has, without issue, sold large quantities of that same RAM online and over-the-counter for customer upgrades. Much of all that 2GB, and the latest 4GB RAM, as usual, has been manufactured by Micron, the publicly owned U.S. manufacturing company parent of the Crucial direct sales division. The same type of RAM was also being provided to Apple by other manufacturers.
I received my two orders of upgrade RAM from Micron/Crucial even before I had purchased my 24-inch iMac, and it's worked great ever since I installed it. I also installed the second half of that order into my current MacBook, purchased a month after the iMac, and it's also been working great ever since. These are certainly superior Apple products.
Obviously there has been a change in RAM manufacturing design at Micron, probably due to their change-over to the costly, challenging high-tech 50nm and 40nm manufacturing technologies, and it is nothing more than Micron's problem.
Message was edited by: myhighway

Ok, so i bought a imac 27 about 4 months ago, and now they release a new one! ****... So my question is, should I sell this one (which by the way is the i5 2.8 with 1 gb 5750 and 4gb ram) and buy the new imac 27 i5,or keep the one i have and buy more ram

ok, so i bought a imac 27 about 4 months ago, and now they release a new one! ****... So my question is, should I sell this one (which by the way is the i5 2.8 with 1 gb 5750 and 4gb ram) and buy the new imac 27 i5,or keep the one i have and buy more ram. I mostly use my computer for photoshop cs5 and illustrator cs5 for graphics out put as well as surfing the web and music.
Please give me you thoughts on what I should do!! Thanks lot!

The new iMac is about 25% or so faster than your current iMac(comparable model would be the 3.1ghz version). There are a couple of things that you will benefit from such as the dual Thunderbolt/Mini Display ports/ which may help with multitasking. The video card in the new iMac again the comparable model being the 3.1ghz is a lotttttttt better than the current one that you have. So thinking of the long run those few things may be beneficial for you to upgrade(but it depends on what is important to you).
I had the 2.93ghz i7 version that I just bought in March this year and I turned around and sold it about a week before the new iMac's were announced. I got about $1600 for it, yeah I took a loss but to me it was worth it because my new iMac performs that much better. Now keep in mind I went from i7 to i7...3.4ghz i7 with the 2gb video card. Now I have dual thuderbolt/mini display ports. I have noticed significant gains in my video editing and also in my gaming. So to me it was definitely worth the upgrade!
One last thing, I would not have sold my 2.93 i7 and then bought the 3.1ghz i5, the big reason is because HT(hyper threading), it's only on the i7 model(3.4ghz)... If you take a look at some of the bench marks on engadget, maclife, macrumors, macworld, ****Barefeats.com(they really get into benchmarking)*** you will see charts that will help you make a better decision.
In closing I would say look into it, if you can get a good price out of your current iMac to put toward a new iMac then do it. Like others have mentioned to you, tech changes and Apple will change the tech in these machines next year or do a speed bump later this year or so. One last thing if you go from the 2.8 i5 up to the 3.4 i7, you would definitely see the difference (HT is a must especially for programs that utilize it. You can go to my youtube channel(mob1278) and take a look at my geekbench results.... my 2.93 i7 scored around 10500-11000(8gb ram)...my 3.4 i7 scores from 12700-13000 with 4gb ram....so yeah as you can see big difference. Basically the 3.4 i7 would perform similar or just under a 2.4ghz 8core 2010 Mac Pro which runs you about $3500 with no monitor.... it's your money spend it how you want....and Lion is only going to push it even more when it is released!

4GB RAM upgrade iMac 7.1 into a coma

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for