Early 2008 Macbook (4,1) maximum RAM per port

I have an early 2008 macbook white 2.4Ghz, or the macbook 4,1 and I understand that the maximum RAM that this model will support is 4GB.
It used to have 2x2GB RAM running on it but recently one of the slots stopped working and the computer wouldn't boot unless I took the RAM out of the slot. That leaves my computer running on just 1x2GB RAM.
The computer has been very slow since then and I was wondering if I could install 1x4GB RAM in the remaining working slot, will it make my system any quicker? Also, if I were to replace the hard disk with a SSD, would it be faster as well?
Where can I find the maximum capacity of each RAM slot?
Thanks in advance.

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
The Early 2008 MacBook supports 4 GB of memory officially, but you can install 6 GB of memory. This means that you can use a 4 GB module, so you can put a 4 GB module. There's no problem with this.
You can buy more memory at OWC or Crucial

Similar Messages

Is 8 gb of RAM safe to install in my early 2008 MacBook Pro? Apple says 4 gb is the maximum.

Apple says that my early 2008 MacBook Pro can only have a maximum of 4 gb of RAM. Has anybody tried adding more than the recommended max? I have heard people say 8 gb is ok but wanted to know if anybody has actually done this. I run parallels desktops with windows 8 and it is incredbily slow. I was thinking if I upgraded the RAM I could dedicate more RAM to both Windows and OSX.

It would appear that the maximum of RAM that an early 2008 MBP will accept is 6 GB. The specifications are: 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM. I cannot give you a definitive answer since I do not know the exact model number of your MBP. I suggest that you check with OWC and/or Crucial for a definitive answer to your question.
Ciao.

My Early 2008 Macbook Pro will not boot with anything greater than 3GB of Ram.

Early 2008 Macbook Pro 4,1
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
3 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)
OS X 10.8.4
Serial: W88450LR1XR
I keep reading mixed reviews saying that 3GB is the max while others say this system supports up to 6GB. I have tried both Kingston and Crucial and PNY and I get the same results. I can have 1x2GB stick and 1x1GB stick but not 2x2 GB sticks. Both 2 GB sticks work independently but they will not work together. They are PC2-5300 667 MHz.
I would really love to have at least 4 GB of ram in this computer. Is it not possible?
Thanks in advance.
Symptoms:
If I put 2x2 GB in the computer and power it up, the little light on the front of the computer comes on but the screen stays black. No post beeps or anything to indicate a failure or that it's running (except the light that comes on when I hit the power button)

Ok - so no one is replying. I just contacted Other World Computing who says that my Laptop will support up to 6GB of ram. I just ordered the memory directly from them. I have 6GB in the mail and should arrive tomorrow. I will report that if their guarenteed ram will work.

Average Maximum Cycle Count for Early 2008 MacBook (Black)

I have a black early 2008 MacBook that now in its fourth year, and I have noticed that battery health have started to diminish.
I am wondering what is the maximum battery cycle count for the early 2008 black MacBooks, and if its time to replace it? (I have 250 cycle count, with 78% health remaining)

You can get a new third party battery fairly cheap on eBay. Every MacBook from 2006 through Mid 2009 except the Late 2008 Aluminum Unibody and the Late 2009 and 2010 White Unibodies use the same A1185 battery.
Black Batteries http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=macbook+black+battery&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=12 &_dmpt=Laptop_Batteries&_odkw=macbook+white+battery&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0. m 270.l1313
White Batteries http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=macbook+white+battery&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=12 &_dmpt=Laptop_Batteries&_odkw=macbook+black+battery&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0. m 270.l1313
Or for $129 from The Apple Store http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA566LL/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

Early 2008 Macbook Pro Should I upgrade to 6gb ram and SSD?

In the last few months, I've entered the world of 64-bit computing. I learned that this now means that my Early 2008 Macbook Pro, that has been fantastic and flawless for 6 years, needs an upgrade or replacement. I'm hard-hard stuck on whether I should upgrade it or replace it.
My current configuration is:
Processor 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Storage 200 GB SATA Disk
I need to run OSX Mavericks and Windows 7 in VMWare or Bootcamp (I don't really like bootcamp).
I am eyeing two upgrades
1) Crucial 4GB Single DDR2 667MHz (PC2-5300) CL5 SODIMM 200-Pin Notebook Memory Module CT51264AC667
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RB21JY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1& smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
2) Crucial M500 240GB SATA 2.5-Inch 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal Solid State Drive CT240M500SSD1
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-2-5-Inch-adapter-Internal-CT240M500SSD1/dp/B00BQ8R M1A/ref=sr_1_10?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1392961391&sr=1-10&keywords=ssd
My question is: Is it worth it for me max out my computer by upgrading again for $250? Will this hold me over for another 2-3 years, or should I look to replace?

Well, I have researched and researched and researched and come to a conclusion. I've compared many brand new replacement computers, and also reviewed my options for upgrading my computer. Upgrading to a new computer altogether, I have come across a few very attractive offers, but they're all in the $800+ price range.
I've decided that OSX Mavericks is my main issue. My early 2008 Macbook Pro was 100% perfectly sufficient for everything I needed it for when using OSX Snow Leopard. After the upgrade, VMWare Fusion runs like a sloth and everything else runs like a slug (maybe a slug that had a 5 hour energy...). Seriously. Just now, I am running Safari and MS Word while copying files to my backup drive. The beachball is all over the place, whereas the CPU is only at 15% use and RAM is at 3.97/4.00. I'm barely using the computer, and it's ridiculously hot and the fans are screaming.
First thing I'm going to do is 'upgrade' back to Snow Leopard to recover my RAM and regain the ability to effectively run my VMWare virtual machine. Then, I'm going to opt for the $100 upgrade to total 6GB of RAM and $150 upgrade to a SSD.

Mavericks, Early 2008 Macbook Pro, RAM Upgrade

Hello,
I just upgraded to Mavericks on my early 2008 Macbook Pro. I originally had Snow Leopard on it and it seemed much faster before Mavericks. I currently have 2GB of ram on this machine... would upgrading to 4 GB be that much helpful? Would my machine only recognize 3 GB? And last but not least, if it would only recognize 3 GB would it be ok to install 1 GB in the first slot and 2 GB in the second? I have heard machines perform better if they have the same about of RAM in each slot.
Or should I just revert back to snow leopard??
Thank you for you time!
Matthew

matthewthemacgeek wrote:
I thought early 2008 Macbook Pros could only recognize 3gb total for ram? Is that not true?
That's an earlier model. I have the same model (early 2008) and have 4GB recognized. MacTracker says it can handle 6GB.

Early 2008 MacBook SSD and RAM Upgrade Compatability

I have an early 2008 macbook running OS X 10.5.8. It has a 2.1 GHz Core 2 Duo, 1 GB 667 MHz DDR2, and a 120GB 5400 RPM drive. It’s model MacBook 4,1. Obviously, it could use some upgrades. It still works fine, but is just slow. I can’t afford a new one, and think I can still get some life out of this one. I am thinking about the following upgrades:
Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147247
OWC 4GB (2x2) Memory Upgrade - http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/5300DDR2S4GP/
Transcend USB 2.0 Enclosure for the old hard drive currently in it - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817349001
I also plan on putting OS X 10.7 (lion) on the new SSD, unless anybody thinks keeping it at Leopard or Snow Leopard would be a better choice, performance wise.
Does anybody see any compatibility issue with any of these upgrades, or have any suggestions as to better upgrades? I realize the MacBook can only support SATA I, so it won’t get the full SATA III benefit of the SSD, but it should still be a huge performance upgrade. Thank you for any help!

have you completed the upgrade yet? I also wanted to know. Someone is trying to trade me their 2008 MB Pro as well (for my Canon L lens), I think it's the 4GB already one and I also have a crucial SSD from my Dell that I can put in. I need to have the MB to run smoothly on PS CS6 & LR5 Please let us know what the results are. What do you guys thinkg? is it enough to run those smoothly?
Thank you

Will PC2 6400/800MHz work with my Early 2008 MacBook (4,1)?

I am having a problem with upgrading new RAM. I received new RAM sticks and they will not work with my Early 2008 MacBook(4,1) with OS Lion. Here are the stick specs:
Make: Kingston
Product #: KTD-INSP6000C/2G
Speed: PC2-6400/800MHz
Pin count: 200
Other attributes:
SODIMM
DDR2-SDRAM
Unbuffered
Non-ECC
The tech specs from Apple (http://support.apple.com/kb/SP5) say that the bus speed is 800MHz and the how-to-guide to install RAM (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1651#link3) says that PC2-6400/800MHz should work. However, that how-to-guide lumps 2006-2009 models together. I don't know if all of those models are compatible with PC2-6400 AND PC2-5300 or if that is just the range within the models (e.i. 2006 takes 667MHz while 2009 takes 800MHz). On the Kingston website it lists only Dell products as compatible with the product number I am thinking that is the problem. The how-to-guide does say that 667MHz is the recommended maximum speed for my MacBook model. I just don't know now if 800MHz works for my MacBook. The current RAM sticks I have are the stock PC2-5300/667MHz.
The two Kingston sticks together: Doesn't boot up
One Kingston stick (tried both) with an old stick: Does boot up and work
One Kingston stick (tried both) completely by itself: Doesn't boot up
Here is my frustration, I bought some Kingston sticks (KTA-MB800K2/4G) that are supposed to be compatible with Apple from a company on Amazon and they shipped me the other product number since it is also PC2-6400/800MHz and they are out of stock of the specific product number I ordered. They are saying that the problem is that my computer can't take PC2-6400/800MHz and that the different product number is irrelevant. So, do I need to order different RAM sticks that are a lower speed or should this company ship me the original product number that I ordered?
Thanks!

No. Your model requires:
Maximum Memory
6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Memory Slots
2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM

Install Windows 7 64-Bit on Early 2008 Macbook ?'s

My wife has an early 2008 Macbook with 2.4 GHz processor that I recently upgraded the OS to OS X 10.7.5 and upped the ram to 4 GB. I had installed a Boot Camp for Windows Vista 32-bit that is still working, but I have a Windows 7 64-bit installation disc that I would like to use on this machine. I want to completely delete the existing Windows Vista install and put Windows 7 in its place. I have found through my research that even though the 64-bit version of Windows 7 is "not supported" for this machine, it will still work with the right drivers and will require Boot Camp 4.0
My questions are:
- Will the 64-bit version of Windows 7 definitely work on this machine?
- How would I delete the current Windows Vista installation?
- Where do I get the 64-bit Apple drivers for Windows 7? I keep reading about pulling them from the Snow Leopard install DVD, which I have, but I am currently running OS X Lion on the machine, which I do not have a disc for (only received a download code from Apple). Would the drivers be built-in to Boot Camp 4.0?

1. From Boot Camp Support Software 4.0.4033 (these can be directly downloaded to the Windows side, once Windows is installed).
System Requirements
MacBook (13-inch, Late 2006)
MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2007)
MacBook (13-inch, Late 2007)
MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008)
MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)
MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009 & Mid 2009)
MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) *
MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010) *
MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2008)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Late 2008 & Mid 2009)
MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Late 2010) *
MacBook Pro (15-inch & 17-inch, Core 2 Duo)
MacBook Pro (15-inch & 17-inch, 2.2 & 2.4GHz)
MacBook Pro (15-inch & 17-inch, Early 2008) *
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) *
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009 & Mid 2009) *
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2009) *
MacBook Pro (13-inch and 15-inch, Mid 2009) *
MacBook Pro (13-inch,15-inch, and 17-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBook Pro (13-in, 15-inch, and 17-inch, Early 2011 & Late 2011)
Mac Pro (Mid 2006)
Mac Pro (Early 2008) *
Mac Pro (Early 2009)
Mac Pro (Early 2007)
Mac Pro (Mid 2010)
Mac Pro (15-inch and 17-inch, 2.2 & 2.4GHz)
Mac mini (Mid 2007)
Mac mini (Early 2009 & Late 2009)
Mac mini (Mid 2010) *
iMac (17-inch, Late 2006)
iMac (20-inch, Late 2006)
iMac (24-inch, Late 2006)
iMac (20-inch & 24-inch, Mid 2007)
iMac (20-inch & 24-inch, Early 2008)
iMac (20-inch, Early 2009 & Mid 2009)
iMac (21.5-inch & 27-inch, Late 2009) *
iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) *
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010) *
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011 & Late 2011)
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)
all these drivers support Windows 7, 32 bit
* drivers that support Windows 7, 32 and 64 bit
2. Ensure that the CPU is 64-bit capable. From OSX Terminal...
sysctl -a hw.cpu64bit_capable
hw.cpu64bit_capable: 1

Windows 7 ultimate 64-bit on early 2008 MacBook

I've searched all over the internet as well as here on the apple site, I can't find a definitive answer either way on this; can I install windows 7 64-bit on my early 2008 MacBook it has 4GB of ram and a 320GB HD inside of it and I plan on wiping the drive and starting over completely before I do the bootcamp; this is because I have a partition on the drive currently and you can't bootcamp an internal HD that already has a partition on it.
I already have Snowleopard installed on the machine so I have bootcamp 3; everything I've seen and read is on vista and XP 64-bit but I can't find a single thing on Windows 7 64-bit on my machine.

If Vista 64-bit was supported
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1846?viewlocale=en_US
and there is an article on which Macs gets "Apple knighted" with Windows 7 "official" support...
Macs that won't get official W7 support, whatever that means
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3920
If you aren't comfortable on your own... your searches and what you call definitive....
Windows 7 on 27" iMac 2009 might be useful
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/10/26/how-to-install-windows-7-onto-the-new-27 in-imac/comment-page-1/

Early 2008 MacBook pro only starts when tilted at an angle, also when pushed down on a certain spot?

Hello all,
I have a issue with my macbook pro.
It only starts if you tilt it at a certain angle.
I have had it work and boot up normally before of I find the right angle and put a book under it.
If its not at an angle it does not boot, I can hear the Fans and th HDD start up and when it's st an angle,
Or I press it st that spot, the sleep light comes on, the DVD drive starts up and everything is fine. When I let go, it shuts off. Only, if I am
Lucky it will stay on.
Specs
Early 2008 MacBook pro
2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo
4GB RAM
western digital 750gb HDD
Nvidia GeForce 8600mgt 512mb

Will have to crack'er open and take a peek inside, if you dare.
Either an internal connector is loose, a wire is broken or ... ... the logic board is cracked.

Early 2008 MacBook Pro has no chime/keyboard/USB/video

Since I can no longer view the relevant Apple TS for the famous NVIDIA GPU problem, I'm not sure what the cause of the problem is with my early 2008 MacBook Pro running Mavericks.
I was using it last night to watch a recorded news show while getting ready for dinner and the news show seemed to stop early. Didn't think anything of it at the time because it was time to eat, however I noticed that the browser was still open and the screen was still on, as would have been expected.
After eating, I went to wake up the computer and, while it seemed to be sleeping, which usually happens after about 15 minutes, it wouldn't respond to the keyboard or trackpad. Before long I realized that it also had no USB power. I also can't connect via FireWire or Ethernet.
Since it will not respond to the keyboard, there are a number of options which are not available to me (like resetting NVRAM or starting in Target Disk Mode, etc.).
Since there is a CD inconveniently already in the SuperDrive, I can't start up from the system disc.
I have removed/replaced the RAM, tried resetting the SMC numerous times, and I've quadruple-checked that the keyboard/trackpad ribbon is attached to the logic board. Not sure what other options are available to me.
The main reason that I think it is not the NVIDIA problem is because it seemed in those cases that the keyboard would light, at least the Caps Lock key, and I have nothing except the sleep indicator by the latch and the sound of the optical drive spinning up and then eventually spinning down, oh, and the fans seem to be working.
Any suggestions? Relevant details left out?

No chime means your Mac has not passed it's startup diagnostics.
Take your Mac in for service > Apple - Find Locations

Early 2008 MacBook Pro won't boot after Lion 10.7.1 update

My 2.4 GHz 4GB RAM Early 2008 MacBook Pro wont boot after downloaded the Lion 10.7.1 upate. Upon restarting the screen went dead and now the system does not boot, as if the bootloader has been wiped out. Screen appears dead but was known to be working before hand. The hard drive spins up but doesn't sound like it is searching for data.
Can anyone help me?

Okay, I tried everything I can think of last night. I removed every startup process and every tool or programm that goes deeper into the system (GlimmerBlocker, LittleSnitch, Parallels). Cleaned Up every Cache I could find and refreshed every necessary Cache or Database possible. Took me a couple of hours. But still no luck - the machine doesn't boot, just in safe mode. Right now I copy all my personal stuff to a new external harddrive because TimeMachine doesn't work, after this I will do a clean install of Lion.
It's not hardware related, it's the 10.7.1 update that doesn't work properly. By the way, the only errors remaining are:
WindowServer - kCGErrorFailure
ManagedClient - kCGErrorFailure: CGSPackageGetWorkspaceType: couldn't get workspace type
SecurityAgent - kCGErrorFailure: CGSPackageGetWorkspaceType: couldn't get workspace type
and a lot of:
com.Apple.SecurityAgent.00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000186A7: CoreAnimation: rendering error 506
that's also the last one I get before the system hangs…

How can I connect my early 2008 MacBook Pro to a tv through HDMI?

I was wondering if there is a way to connect my early 2008 MacBook Pro to a tv using an HDMI port. My MacBook Pro has a DVI output. In the past I bought a DVI to VGA adapter and connected it to a TV that had a PC input that took VGA and a 3.5mm audio cable. I was wondering if anybody has found an adapter or cable that takes a DVI and 3.5 mm audio cord and has only an HDMI cord at the other end. I have a new TV that only has HDMI inputs and would like to be able to connect my laptop to it.

Since you have not identified exactly what MBP you have, but mention DVI, I suspect a cable such as this is what you will need.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/380694416929?lpid=82
Understand that 2009 MBPs and earlier do not support audio via DVI or minidisplay port. You would have to tap the audio output port with a cable such as this:
http://http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=691009&Q=&is=REG&A =details
I am not endorsing these cable specifically, these are just examples that represent what connections that are required.
Ciao.

I'd like to replace my hard drive. How do I know what to buy for my 15-inch early 2008 MacBook Pro?

I am out of room on my hard drive. I'd like to get a new hard drive and restore my data to the new drive from Time Machine. How do I know what kind of hard drive to buy for my 15-inch, early 2008 MacBook Pro? Also, how hard is this to do?

I have changed HDDs several times on the old MBP. Currently it has a Hitachi 500 GB HDD that came out of my new one. My adage is that one cannot have too much storage and I think that the 1TB HDD is an excellent choice. Not only do you get generous capacity, the performance should be (theoretically) comparable to a 750 GB 7200 rpm HDD. I will be very surprised if there are compatibility problems.
If you bought the HDD from OWC, you should have received Installation instructions. If not, go to the OWC website and look at the video. I actually downloaded it so that I could hand write the instructions down step by step. Also check out iFixit website. They have step by step instructions that may prove to be useful.
Tools you need: 00 Phillips and #6 Torx Drivers (get good ones). The instructions make mention of a plastic pry bar (spudger). I use a stiff piece of plastic like a credit card.
Tips to keep in mind: Get a large open table space and place a large clean towel on it. That will protect your MBP and when you drop a screw (and you will) it will not bounce far so you will not have to spend an hour looking for it.
As you take out a set of screws, keep them together (I use wide masking tape. The little screws will stick to it.)
Keep the sets in sequence. That will make reassembly much, much easier.
The most difficult steps are removing the keyboard from the MBP body and removing the ribbon cable from the mother board. In case of the former, work from the back (the display) to the front. You will initially have to pry it up and then do a lot of jiggling to remove it. Don't be too timid about it. At the end of the ribbon cable there is a rectangular connector. Use your credit card to remove it. Just pry it off.
The #6 Torx driver is used to take off the 4 mounting pins on the HDD and if I remember correctly there is another place where it is needed, specifically in the battery compartment ( I think). If the instructions don't say so, keep that in mind and inspect the screw before you select the driver.
Good luck and make sure that you don't have parts left over.
Ciao.

Early 2008 Macbook (4,1) maximum RAM per port

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