Lower memory slot doens't like me anymore!

I have a Powerbook 1.25mhz that had 768mb of RAM (1-512mb + 1-256mb). With Aperture, you need at least 1GB so I ordered another 512mb to replace the 256mb module. After installing the new 512mb, my system would lock up hard after booting to the desktop. Tried the memory in both slots, alone and with the other module. No dice...locked everytime. So, I removed the new 512mb and sent it back for a replacement. Meanwhile I put the 512mb and 256mb back in and everything was fine. Get the replacement 512mb module back and installed it. No lockups...but now the Powerbook only sees 512mb total, not 1gb. It's showing only the top slot has memory installed...here we go! Remove the memory from the lower slot and reinstall the 256mb and everything is fine but I'm only at 768mb. Remove the 256mb from the lower slot and reinstalled a 512mb module. No dice again...only have 512mb with the lower slot showing empty. Put the 256mb back in and now it's not working either. I have two 512mb modules and the 256mb module. No matter what I try now, the lower slot is dead. Any thoughts?
If the slot is bad, I've heard it requires a motherboard replacement which might cost up to $800. If it does take that to get it fixed, I'm on the fence. Should I get it replaced or just wait another two or three months and hopefully go with one of the Intel based Powerbooks that everyone is expecting? I don't want to buy a current Powerbook and then a year from now, have no software to run on it...
A

I'm starting to get a little nervous about this memory slot/logic board issue.
I'd like to upgrade the memory in my 1.25GHz Powerbook, but I'm worried that I will get a logic board failure if I try to upgrade the lower slot. Is this an issue with all Powerbooks, or just the newer ones?
I'm confused, as some say their problem started when upgrading to 10.4.3, some say it's an issue when changing RAM in the lower slot on the "new" Powerbooks, and now Al says it's happened on his 1.25GHz machine?
I have had no problems with my factory installed RAM, and I really wasn't thinking of messing with the lower slot, just putting more in the upper slot, but since I have around 5 months left on my warranty, I was wondering if I should try putting new RAM in the lower slot, to see what happens.
I would hate to leave it, until after my warranty runs out, then find I need more RAM, and then have this dreaded "lower slot failure".
I don't really need the hassle, but if my lower slot is going to fail when upgrading memory, then I need to know while I'm still covered. It seems to be a major fault, that needs to be addressed by Apple, it shouldn't need people to have to take legal action to sort out! I've heard of one guy having FOUR separate logic boards fitted, and the problem still hasn't been resolved!
Alum Powerbook G4, 1.25Ghz Mac OS X (10.3.9)

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    I use my Powebook for Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, After Effects mainly and I had been alright with 1gig when it was working.
    I'm really trying to decide what the best thing to do is....
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    - Should I just buy a 1gig stick for the upper slot and try and sell my old RAM, as that would be cheaper than getting the logic board replaced?
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    (Browse down for findings and questions).
    The notorious lower-memory-slot-bug has hit my finally too... I never believed it until now (and I've immediately signed the petition).
    I am outside warranty and I never bought Applecare either.
    Also my powerbook, a very dear machine to me, is a less common type to have this problem: a 1 GHz G4 15" FireWire 800 OS 10.3.9 type. Funny enough my older powerbook ( a G3 Bronze) is still running strong with no problems whatsoever.
    My G4 15" also has the "white spots" problem and a dead superdrive... I cannot believe how many hardware problems I'm having with this machine in comparison to all my older macs - even my sluggish powerMac 7200/90 never gave me this many headaches...
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    -are there more people with a 1 GHz PB that have this problem? It seems it's mostly people with a 1,67 GHz that have been bitten by this bug and maybe that's why Apple decided to give the majority a free repair. I am not sure whether that is a common policy, I am part of the minority it seems.
    As a solutions someone posted on a board that we should all buy KTA-PBG4333/1G RAM, but here in Dutch stores it is said this memory is only compatible with 17" powerbooks....
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    As regards soldering, the circuit boards would probably have been soldered using the flow solder technique. Basically they are dipped into a bath of solder I believe which is a simplified explenation.
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    I went into the finder then into systems and then core services and removed the memory slot utility which is no problem all fixed the only thing that does concern me is if it is a problem that needs addressing because if I need a new processor board I would rather apple pay for it while I am with applecare as those babies cant be cheap.
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