RAM problems with a Pismo

Question

Following great advice from you guys (jpl and Cornelius etc), and after my usual very long period of procrastination before getting a job done following ordering all the parts and then having them sitting around, I finally upgraded the HDDs of my two Pismos (a 400MHz and a 500MHz) to 60GB and 120GB respectively. All of that went very well using great IFIXIT instructions and SuperDuper!/Carbon Copy Cloner software - I tried them both to see how they worked and they were both very good. I then successfully installed Tiger into both of them after upgrading their RAM. Now the bad news, I had originally ordered four Low Profile 512MB RAM modules on eBay of the correct specification quite a while ago from the FastMemoryMan/Emartbuy outfit to upgrade both Pismos to the maximum of 1GB RAM each but I had not tried to install and use them until very recently. When I did, none of them worked and it was so long ago that I've now completely done my dough in regard to returns and warranty - all my own fault, unfortunately! Being a glutton for punishment, I ordered four more 512MB RAM chips on eBay of the correct specification for Pismo from the SmileNTango outfit. This time just TWO of them worked but the other two did not so I was able to max out the RAM in the 500MHz Pismo to IGB. I am now in negotiation with SmileNTango about returning the ones that did not work and they have offered the option of a full refund for them. However, they are also telling me that the reason they did not work was not because they were faulty but because the Pismo motherboard is 'picky' about RAM specs and their regular RAM modules are not guaranteed to work with it. However,for quite a bit of extra money (funny, that), they can supply me with two types of RAM that will work. The price differences are huge and I know I could get modules from OWC at a much better price. Does this explanation sound correct - I must say that it doesn't to me! How is it that I ended up with so many RAM modules that did not work in my Pismos and is it true that not all of these types of 512MB modules will work correctly in a Pismo. Can the modules be tested and/or repaired or are they now just junk? I did not expect this problem but, on a much more positive note, I was very pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to upgrade the Pismos and I really enjoyed doing the upgrades, after feeling quite daunted by it, and I would encourage anyone else to give it a try. I just love those Pismo Powerbooks. I am now going to upgrade my iMac after ordering all the upgrade parts - another job I have been putting off! Many thanks in advance for any advice or information. Cheers, Steve

Answer 1

Steve:
I was under the impression that the RAM under the daughterboard had to be Low Profile but that it did not matter for the one on top - is this not correct?
That is true for the WallStreet. The Pismo will take standard RAM modules.
Should I get a refund for all four of them or do I keep the two that work - ie will they keep working?
I would keep the ones that work. If they are sound, they should continue to work. You can test RAM by running the Apple Hardware Test from the disk which came with the computer, or you can use Rember-Memory Test.
I noticed OWC was doing these 512MB modules for around $30.00 - would these be 100% reliable?
Yes. OWC is an excellent source. Their products are reliable as is their customer service and tech support. I would have no hesitation buying from them.
the prices for these RAM modules in Australia were quite high - two or three hundred dollars each - almost more than the Pismo is worth!
I was not aware that you were in Australia. Sorry (not sorry that you are in Australia, but because I was not aware of it). You might want to include your location in your profile. It is helpful to us as we attempt to answer your questions.
cornelius