Confusing behavior with upgraded RAM

Hi All,
I Upgraded the RAM of my MacMini (1.66Ghz Intel) about 3 months ago. I swapped out the 2x512MB for 2x1GB DDR2 667Mhz Corsair RAM. The RAM was recognized and I had not had any problems until this weekend. I don't reboot this machine much, but I had installed a printer driver and the installer wanted a restart. After restarting, OS X says it only sees 512MB in one of the two RAM slots (the first one), the other is listed as 'empty'.
This is really confusing because I would think it would either recognize 1GB or nothing, how could it only recognize half the memory of one of the DDR2 slots? Don't really want to open it up again, and I have already tried zapping the PRAM but no change.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated.
Alex

Hi AndyO,
Thanks again. Ok, So I'm starting to think it's some kind of hardware problem. Here are the tests I did.
First I removed one of the two 512MB, and it booted and showed 512. Next I installed 1GB + the 512 that was present, it did not boot at all. Next I removed both and installed a single 1GB in the lower slot. It booted and showed 1GB of ram. Next I added the second 1GB and it would not boot. Finally I put the 1GB that caused it not to boot, in the lower slot alone and it booted and showed 1GB. This leads me to believe the ram is not the problem. It seems to be the paired RAM since, when I put a single chip in the upper slot it would also boot.
So, is this the most likely problem? either the slot itself or the board? Seems like it wouldnt want to boot if the board had a problem but thats just my guess. Any more ideas would be helpful. Right now I am running a Single 1GB chip untill I can figure out this issue.
Alex

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Cheers everybody, new here...
I know, despite the specs published 8Gmax and 1333mhz, for the macbook pro late 2011 2.2G i7 processor
We can read here that its possible to go 16G ram, and also to 1600mhz.
1-have a mbp late 2011 2.2Ghz i7 (original config with 4G of ram 1333mhz)
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3-than upgraded with 16G of 1333mhz and find it much slower
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wondering if it could be that 8G 1600mhz is optimal ?
I havent tried 16G of 1600mhz yet...

Hi there !
Update:
Here are the last changes, as of this morning, of the configuration on my macbook pro late 2011 (2.2Ghz processor 15.4 screen).
Now have 16 G (2x8) of Kingston RAM 1600mhz (12800 1.35V) that and a brand new 256G samsung 850 pro SSD.
I KNOW...NOT QUITE THE SPECS SUPPLIED FROM APPLE/INTEL ... :/
I was able to trade the 16G 1333mhz purchased RAM for 16G of 1600mhz , so i gave a shot...
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And Here, as promised, the answer from Intel :
joe_intelIl y a 3 jours
The document does not list all the processor models but it is the correct document for your processor family (http://ark.intel.com/products/family/59136/2nd-Generation-Intel-Core-i7-Processo rs#@Mobile). "1Gb, 2Gb, and 4Gb DDR3 DRAM technologies" refer to SDRAM density, it is not about capacity as it is usually expressed in GB (instead of Gb). SDRAM density depends on the total amount of memory chips on the stick and per side (SDRAM organization). Memory modules rated or sold as 1600 MHz may or may not run at 1600 MHz; this depends on the Serial Presence Detect. If the SPD is 1333 MHz it will run at 1333 MHz by default unless it is configured manually. If the memory runs at 1600 MHz (by SPD or set up manually), the memory controller might be running at a higher clock speed than what it was designed for, this may cause issues along the way.
Recommandation1
B BIl y a 10 heures
Hi JoeThanks for the answer Im feeling optimistic...I installed 16G(2x8) ram on my late 2011 macbook pro this is 1600mhz 1.35v ram.Its working fine for now...Hope it lasts;)

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