What gives? Lower RAM slot Fail!

I recently had an unrelated problem with my 15 G4 1.67 powerbook and noticed the lower ram slot failed.
I then found out I missed apple's extended repair program by a few weeks! What are my options here?
Will it hurt to just run the top slot without a ram chip in the bottom? Does apple still do these repairs?
is it going to be a 800 dollar logic board replacement... ughh

First, the cheapest solution is to run with a 1GB memory strip in the working slot. There have not been issues with that slot failing, like the lower slot, and it won't hurt your system to run that way.
Next, you can find vendors on the internet that claim to repair the lower slot. You can scan the discussions for a recommended vendor (as well as there's at least one you probably want to avoid).
Next you can replace the logic board. In the US, your Apple dealer can send your system to an Apple depot, where the minimum charge is around $350 to set your system basically to it's as delivered condition. If the case is dented and has to be replaced, the price goes up. We recently had to do this when the charging circuit of our logic board failed, and they also replaced the old battery too, as part of the service. An ~$800 quote to replace a logic board is if it's done in the store itself.
If you're handy with the inside of a computer, you can buy a board and replace it yourself. However, the cost is equal to or higher than using the Apple depot repair service.

Similar Messages

Powerbook G4 15in 1.5GHz Dead Lower Ram Slot

My Powerbook G4 has a bad lower Ram slot, but the problem is intermittant. If I put both 512mb ram in and start up, sometimes I get the 3 beebs and sometimes it will boot and show a full 1gb ram but locks up moments later.
I've been running on 512mb and it is not fun!
I can not afford a new logic board or a new mac. I am a web designer and need my PB for work.
How can Apple not Recall these machines and fix them?

Did the 2 RAM modules come with your Mac? Have you tried swapping the RAM modules to opposite slots and do you get the same failure in that slot? Make sure the modules are securely connected in the slot.
To eliminate RAM modules being the problem, Look at this link: Testing RAM @ http://guides.macrumors.com/Testing_RAM Then download & use Memtest & Ramber.
Do you have an Apple Hardware Test disc (the AHT is on the Install/Restore DVD that came with your Mac)? Running the Apple Hardware Test in Loop Mode is an excellent troubleshooting step for finding intermittent hardware problems. It is especially useful when troubleshooting intermittent kernel panics. If Loop Mode is supported by the version of the Apple Hardware Test you are using, you run the Extended Test in Loop Mode by pressing Control-L before starting the test. Looping On should appear in the right window. Then click the Extended Test button.The test will run continuously until a problem is found. If a problem is found, the test will cease to loop, indicating the problem it found. If the test fails, be sure to write down the exact message associated with the failure.In some cases, RAM problems did not show up until nearly 40 loops, so give it a good run.
 Cheers, Tom

Lower RAM slot damage caused by 3rd party RAM?

I took my 1.33 ghz 15" powerbook G4 in to be repaired this past Friday. The lower RAM slot was not working (as a note, this slot contained the original RAM that came from Apple). Upon noticing that 256 megs I had in there was missing from system profiler, I removed the 3rd party 512 RAM and placed the 256 Apple RAM there, I placed the 512 meg card in the other slot, and then 512 megs were missing when I booted up. Clearly both sticks of RAM worked, the problem was the slot. I took it into Apple.
They called me today to tell me the system was repaired. They also told me something that I don't believe and don't even think is possible: The 3rd party RAM is what caused the problem. The reasons I don't believe this? I have never heard of faulty RAM breaking a RAM slot in my life, it just doesn't work. Also, the RAM worked in there for a long time prior to it not working. I have also heard of a system update which breaks the lower RAM slot, and Apple issuing a recall on a range of powerbooks as a result to replace the motherboard. True, my powerbook is not in the range of serial numbers, but I also know that there are many people who have this problem that are not in the range Apple has recalled.
The RAM was installed free of charge at the store I bought it from (a non-Apple mac store in Los Angeles). It was never removed until I noticed that the RAM was not being detected, and it was the slot, not the RAM that proved defective.
What do you guys think? Could that have legitimately been the problem? Or did Apple just not know what was wrong, fixed the board, and made that up in the hopes of getting me to buy some overpriced Apple RAM?

Hey, whatever mod deleted the reply to this and my subsequent reply to that, why don't you tell me an accurate response? Tell me exactly how working RAM could break the RAM slot it wasn't even plugged into.
Otherwise, Apple is telling a bunch of bull and refusing to admit to a product flaw. Why delete a post speculating on such an issue? All it does is lend credence to the speculation. I believe that it is the case all the more now that you have deleted the posts.

1.25 GHz Lower Ram Slot not working

I've got a 15" G4 1.25GHz. When I went to upgrade my RAM (I use Samsung) I noticed my lower slot is dead. I don't know how long it's been that way. I see others who've posted the same issue, and all mention that Apple knows about it and has documentation on it. Can someone point me to that? I've had this thing 3 years and had to replace the battery twice and the power adapter 3 times. Now this...not too impressive.

Your pB is not covered by:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303173
Joe

RAM slots not working (lower)

Hi folks - I had a problem with my PowerBook running very slowly. Helpful friends suggested increasing the RAM. When I set about doing this I found that there were two 256 Mb cards in the machine.
I replaced them both with 1 Gb cards and the Mac was back to a speedy machine. Not long after thanking my friends, I got a 'fatal message' telling me I must restart the machine. When I did this there was no 'sueme' sound and I was back to only 1 Gb of RAM. The lower slot was empty according to the system profiler.
I went to bed dejected!
This morning I removed both 1 Gb cards put back the 256 Mb cards and the machine booted up as usual with 512 Mb of RAM.
So I have put back the 1 Gb cards and have a 2 Gb machine again.
Does anyone know what went wrong? Will it happen again? Do I need to have the machine looked at by a specialist?
Thank you in anticipation
Dunc

There is a known issue with Powerbooks with the lower memory slot failing, and it sounds like yours may be starting to fail. At one point there was an Apple recall for a small sliver of Powerbook systems to fix that.
The alternatives are to run with 1GB in the upper slot, try one of the internet vendors that say they can fix that (check references), or install a used logic board. I don't believe Apple is repairing Powerbooks anymore, so if you want to buy a used logic board, you'll need to install it yourself, or perhaps an Apple Authorized Service Provider would be willing to do the work.

Ram slots not working after CMOS reset

Im using MSI K9N Neo V2 mb, and it was doing fine until i reseted CMOS. Now 3 out of 4 ram slots are not recognized by BIOS nor Windows. Im sure that ram memory is ok, cause ive checked all of it by replacing it between ram slots, and they're only working in slot nr 4.
I know that the MB is old, but everything was working fine, and suddenly went wrong after CMOS reset
Things i did to fix:
Updated BIOS
Msconfig memory uncheck box
Cleared CMOS with jumper
Replaced CMOS BAT
Checked if smth's wrong with cpu
Cleared RAM slots with rubbing alcohol
System wont even boot without memory in DIMM 4 (ram slot 4), and BIOS only recognizes memory in DIMM 4
This is really frustrating, because there is no reason for smth to not work all of a sudden
Any help? Tnx
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

There is a known issue with Powerbooks with the lower memory slot failing, and it sounds like yours may be starting to fail. At one point there was an Apple recall for a small sliver of Powerbook systems to fix that.
The alternatives are to run with 1GB in the upper slot, try one of the internet vendors that say they can fix that (check references), or install a used logic board. I don't believe Apple is repairing Powerbooks anymore, so if you want to buy a used logic board, you'll need to install it yourself, or perhaps an Apple Authorized Service Provider would be willing to do the work.

Lower RAM defect after upgrading to 10.4.4

I have an early model Aluminum Powerbook G4 (1Ghz) and now have the lower
ram slot problem. I do feel the problem potentially exists in all the Aluminum 15" models. It's quite amazing how many things have happens since getting this powerbook. First battery problems (recall), then screen problems (extended warranty offered-took awhile thought) and now this. Does anyone
know if the replacement logic boards being offered are any less prone to
give out? It would be a drag to pay and have it breakdown again (of course after
any warranty period).

I'm beginning to think this is a software problem related to Tiger. It seem to me, nearly everyone with this issue experienced this "lower slot" problem when upgrading to 10.4x.
I am still on Panther 10.3.9, and I recently upgraded my lower slot memory, taking out the stock 256MB module, and putting in a 512MB one. It's early days, but it's working fine, and system profiler is recognizing the new 512MB RAM in the lower slot.
You actually had the lower slot stop working, AFTER you upgraded to 10.4.4.? Sounds like I could be onto something! Are you listening Apple!!
The problem seems to be worse in the newer machines (1.67 and the newer hi res models), but now it seems, that anyone with an Aluminium 15" Powerbook can get the problem.
I heard of one guy having 4 different logic boards in his Powerbook, so it doesn't seem to me to be the solution to the problem! Until Apple actually find the proper cause, and fix it, I certainly won't be upgrading to 10.4, just to be on the safe side.
15", G4, 1.25Ghz Alum Powerbook Mac OS X (10.3.9) 768MB RAM

Powerbook Lower Memory Slot Issue, what are my options?

Hi there,
I have a Powerbook G4 1.5ghz that I purchased in October of 2004. I had no problems with it until after upgrading the RAM to 2 x 512mb chips and then installing Tiger which resulted in me later notcing the missing RAM and learning about the lower memory slot failure issue.
I find that sometimes if I remove the RAM and try and power it up and then replace the RAM again that the lower slot ocassionaly does come back. Trouble is though that the machine will either crash or I loose the other RAM slot when I have to shut it down. It seems to be so intermittent this way and I'm tired of constantly removing the RAM to fiddle about with it.
My serial number begins W8441, so it isn't covered by the returns programe. I would call Apple Support, but I am put off by a £35 charge just to have them discuss and diagnose the problem.
I'm in the UK and as I don't have Applecare and I'm not elgiable for the returns programe can anyone tell me what they charge for a logic board replacment? Looking at what they charge in the US, it's not cheap.
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....
- Do I pay for the logic board replacement, which I'm not really sure I can afford right now, or to be without my machine... especially as I have read that it can just fail again.
- 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?
It's a real shame that Apple doesn't seem to want to ackowledge that this effects other users as I'd been so impressed with everything about Apple up until now.
Thanks for any advice.

(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...
Alright, I'll stop complaining for now.
I've been able to browse the internet on this and found the following statements:
The lower memory slot gets "fried" because of a OS 10.3.9 upgrade,
or possibly due to overheating when the powerbook is put on the users' lap,
or possibly due to picking the powerbook up by the corners so the metal gets bent.
+ I have only seen one case where someone's UPPER memory slot was defective.
The solution to this problem (replacing the logic board) didn't seem to be definate in many cases so I'm reluctant to try this myself (and I have very little money). The alternative (replacing the upper slot memory with a bigger type of RAM) seems a bit scary to me,
because I wonder:
-will the upper memory slot RAM get "fried" eventually as well after a while?
-do you need to have something installed in the lower slot or is it possible to just install one RAM card only?
-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....
Does anyone know if it is suitable for 15" as well??
G4 Powerbook Mac OS X (10.3.9) 1 GHz G4 Powerbook FW800

Whats all needed to remove to change the lower RAM?

I ordered a 256 Meg low profile ram chip for my lombard. I was gonna pop it in the top slot but i figure might as well do the bottom one. I know u have to use a credit card or soemthing plastic and flat to raise the processer board and remove the lower RAM and put the new one in and i guess put the 64 MEG chip in the top slot for now. Some instructions i seen online require removing the model, PRAM battery and hardrive in order to do this. Whats is needed exactly? These instructions were from pbfixit.com. I dont see why the modem is needed but maybe i am not seeing something. I could just put it in the top slot but eventually i will have to do the bottom so might as well now.

The PowerBook FixIt guides are a little elaborate, all you will need to do is lift the processor card after lifting the keyboard, removing the upper metal shield and the screws holding the card down (if it has the plastic tab still attached pull it while GENTLY levering with a plastic item). Install the RAM and then refit the processor card pressing down FIRMLY on the connector area. Finally install the top RAM.
Make sure you ground yourself by touching the 'Book's metal frame before starting and don't do the upgrade while stood on carpet or sat in a chair that has an artificial covering if you can help it.
I believe the Lombard only has a small heatsink so you shouldn't need to remove it before removing the processor card and I've never had to remove any of the other parts to fit lower RAM..

Random Startup - Low tone then starts up unattended, what gives?

Today, my iMac G5 started up by itself. First I heard a low 1 second tone, then the typical bong. I looked over and sure enough, it had started... I thought, well, I must have left it turned on. So I shut it down and about 10 minutes later it did it again, but this time it opened into open firmware. Strange... So, I checked the system long and found some interesting entries. there were entries referring to AppleTalk startup... Now I have other macs on my network as well as a time capule and Apple TV. Is it possible they are doing a remote startup? I can't see why, but have no other explanation. After the 3rd time this happened, I just unplugged it. This is really weird...

Getting rid of the dust is a good idea, removing all peripherals might help as well. Reset the SMU too. I'm not sure what the low tone is, tones generally indicate dissatisfaction with existing RAM, so you might want to test it using Rember.
Hope some of this helps,

I just changed my Adobe password and now I am trying to update Adobe flash player - it calls for a password - I just updated it - I use it again to install and it fails ??? What gives?

I just changed my Adobe password and now I am trying to update Adobe flash player - it calls for a password - I just updated it - I use it again to install and it fails ??? What gives?

Hi,
Please see What userid & password do I need to install Flash Player?.
Maria

I just bought the AIrport Extreme to replace an older Linksys wireless g router. But I am still getting a fairly low signal, not showing much improvement from the previous router. What gives?

I just bought the airport extreme router to replace my older linksys g router because of a poor signal. Now that I have the new router running, I'm not seeing much improvement from the previous router! What gives?

I too recently bought the Extreme to replace an old Linksys G and discoverd that the range of the new Extreme was surprising less than the Linksys.
Nothing had changed otherwise; both routers were installed in the same place (on floor, under a cabinet in the middle of my house).
I returned the Airport Extreme to Amazon and bought another (the latest version), and the same problem exists, i.e., I can't get a signal at the corners of my small home with the Airport, where I once could with the Linksys.
I'm puzzled, but think that difference must be that the Linksys has 2 large external antennas and the Extreme's antennas are mounted internally.
I've also noticed that Apple sells a wall mount for the Airport Extreme and am assuming this is to get the Airport up and out into the open in order to improve its 'send and receive' characteristics, no?
If your Extreme is hidden in a cabinet or under some piece of furniture, I suggest you move it into the open and see if this helps extend its range.
Hope this helps.
John

Ram slot problems

I don't know if anyone else has had this problem, but this past December I noticed that only one of my 2 ram slots was reading the RAM card. I sent my computer in to the Apple Depot on 3 different occasions (the first time, my computer came back showing all of my RAM, but the computer crashed every 1-5minutes), then I sent it back and it came back running smoothly with 1 of the 2 RAM slots not reading (Read: original problem). Finally after the third time, I got my computer back and it ran without crashing and all of my RAM was accounted for (both 512MB chips).
That is.. until one week ago. I moved to Germany and when I got here, things were going slow. I went to the apple menu and selected "About this Mac". Low and behold, only 512MB RAM appeared.
My first thought is that I burnt it out because my computer heats up a lot fairly often (but my batteries Serial# doesn't fit the exchange program's criteria, mine is: W7339SKNNXOB. The computer's serial# does comply, however).
My more absurd explanation is this occurred on both occasions right after I flew somewhere and the computer got X-rayed.

Well, here's what Apple's PowerBook Service FAQ has to say on the subject:
Does Apple warrant my PowerBook service?
For PowerBooks under Apples One-Year Limited Warranty, Apple warrants against defects that arise from service performed for 90 days from the date of service or for the remaining period of the warranty, whichever provides longer coverage for you.
b For PowerBooks not under Apples One-Year Limited Warranty, Apple warrants against defects that arise from service performed for 90 days from the date of service.
So, at first glance, it would appear that if your repair was done in February, the 90-day warranty period might have expired. But, maybe there's an additional warranty (hopefully a longer one) that applies to the parts (i.,e., the logic board), and so the cost of a replace
b part
if not also the
b labor
would still be under warranty.
90-days seems awfully short to me, maybe it would to someone at Apple (a customer service rep, e.g.) as well if you make a good case in a persuasive way. That may be another option, albeit one with limited chances of success.
That's the best I can tell you right now; perhaps there's someone on here with actual first-hand experience with getting a repair by Apple on an out-of-warranty PB RE-repaired who can give you more insight.

MacBook Pro mid 2012 15" - one RAM slot gone bad

Hi,
Has anyone ever had the issue with not working RAM slot? My MacBook Pro mid 2012 (non-retina) suddenly froze and after restart was beeping three times every few seconds. I found out that the beeping signals bad RAM. Bought new chips, and the problem still exists. My mac can now run on one slot with 4GB RAM.
I did check the placement of the chips in the slots, i also checked one slot at a time, and one of them has gone broken.
Any ideas on how to make it run again? or if it is possible to replace the slots?
Brgds
Marek
MacBook Pro 2,7GHz Intel Core i7 / OSX 10.9.4

The Apple-accepted cure for a dead RAM slot is a new logic board. Unless you ahve AppleCare, that will be an expensive fix.
An Apple service option is the "depot repair." Instead of working on your computer in the Apple Store, they send it to a centralized refurbishment facility where they fix anything they find wrong (except for cosmetic damage and damage from abuse like dropping) for a flat fee of a little over US$300. That is between 30 and 40 percent of the parts and labor charges if Apple installs a new board in an Apple Store. Sometimes they will install an new battery at the depot without increasing the flat fee.
The downside is that it takes about a week; for that level of cost savings, I could do without my computer for a week.
So take it to Apple and ask about a depot repair.
A low-tech and low-cost option is to expand on what you are doing now--using one slot. Although the official RAM limit on your model is 8GB RAM (two 4GB models), your model can actually handle a total of 16GB (two 8GB modules. You can ignore the dead slot and put an 8GB module in the good slot. My 2012 MBP has 8GB RAM and is completely happy running Mavericks.
Be sure to ONLY get the RAM from an Mac-savvy vendor. For over a decade I've bought all our Mac RAM from one supplier. This is their page for an 8GB module for your MBP model:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/1600DDR3S8GB/
I would also trust Crucial on this one. For a change they recognize that your model can use more RAM than stated in Apple's outdated specs:
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Apple/macbook-pro-%2813-inc h-and-15-inch%2C-mid-2012%29

Help with ram slots on MSI P7N SLI PLATINUM

rig config:
MSI P7N SLI PLATINUM (MS-7380)
bios version: 1.3v
Q6600 quard core 2.66GHz
Zotac modded 9800GTX+ amped version
2x2 Gb DDR2 800MHz Kingston
500 watt (absolute) power supply (taken form an old HP workstation)
windows 7 X64
Everything's on stock setting
Its been almost 1 & 1/2 years since i bought this rig, and from first month itself i have been having problem with the ram. The problem is not with the sticks, its with the ram slots. There are different things that happen. Sometimes when i boot my system:
1) either, it wont start, i.e. no boot screen.
2) It will load upto windows startup screen, crash and restart in an infinite loop.
3) It will load windows, then crash after sometime.
4) If i run any memory diagnostic, it will give errors.
At these times, i take out my 2 ram sticks, tinker with them, place them in different combination of ram slots, try push them in, in a certain way, keep trying until it yields and it boots up again ( generally a process of 1/2 an hr to an hr). After this my system will work fine ( no errors on any memory diagnostic) and boot properly for a week or 2, maybe even a month, but then again the same problem happens. I know for sure that there is no problem with my dimms (have checked them in other system and they work fine), its something to do with ram slots, or memory bus-controller structure.
Recently the problem happened again, though my tinkering didn't help. My system only boots up if i place any of the ram sticks in the 3rd slot (the 1st orange one). It wont work for any other slot and neither will it work if i place both of the sticks together. I have tried resetting my bios as well cmos settings, but it has not helped. My mb is still in warranty, but if i give it for repair, it will be gone for a good month or so, which doesn't go well with me. If someone has any suggestions, or a way out, it will be highly appreciated. Please help!

Quote from: nellinil on 10-July-10, 10:27:51
yes the psu has a single +12v rail with 21A rating, but somehow i don't feel the problem is because of it. When my system successfully boots, it works properly. I can play or work on high performance softwares for any number of hours without fail, which ought not to happen if the psu is bad.
Hmm, you are ignoring the possibility that your PSU is "flaky" (that's a technical term)!!!! You've never had any gizmo where "sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't work"?
If you don't want to buy a new PSU then at least beg-borrow-steal another one and see if your symptoms change.

What gives? Lower RAM slot Fail!

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