blackmajik2021

Q: Cant upgrade RAM, I think OWC is mislabeling their modules.

I'll try to keep this as short as possible

1) I have a 1.67 ghz 15" 2005 powerbook g4 with 1GB RAM.
2) It should be able to run 2gb of ram.
3) I ordered a 1GB stick from OWC, and it didn't work.
4) Thinking the stick was faulty, I ordered a replacement stick from OWC and it didn't work.
5) I just realized the stickers on the OWC RAM say PC5300. The G4 can only run PC4200. The receipt for what I ordered says PC4200.
they insist that "this is the only ram we sell for this machine, we've never had a problem before". He insisted "PC5300 is a different shape and wouldn't even fit"
6) The G4 Memory slot issue does not apply to my powerbook's serial number. (About the PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.67/1.5GHz) Memory Slot Repair Extension Program)
7) the computer wont boot with only the new ram in either or both slots
8) the computer will boot with 1 stick of new ram and 1 stick of old ram, but it recognizes the new stick as "EMPTY" and occasionally crashes.

I think OWC is shipping me the wrong ram but refusing to acknowledge it, but I suppose could be mistaken.

I've included a picture comparison between the new and old sticks. It seems to me like OWC is mislabeling their product.

any opinions or help would be greatly appreciated.

here's a pic

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/9729/owcram.jpg

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.5.7), 1GB RAM, 1.67GHz Power PC

Posted on Mar 18, 2011 10:56 AM

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Q: Cant upgrade RAM, I think OWC is mislabeling their modules.

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  • by romko23,

    romko23 romko23 Mar 18, 2011 12:48 PM in response to blackmajik2021
    Level 2 (395 points)
    Mar 18, 2011 12:48 PM in response to blackmajik2021
    PC2-5300 will work in the PowerBook G4 as the 667 mhz chip will clock down to 533.. in case you wanna know, I am using those right now in my PowerBook G4 and I have no problems at all. You will be fine, but if you want the PC2-4200 DDR2 memory, I would send those back and ask for PC2-4200 DDR2.

    How I know this? I took out one of the chips from an intel imac which uses PC2-5300 and it worked.. ran apple service diagnostic and apple hardware test - no problems reported.

    so, yes.. 5300 and 4200 work just as well. I even mixed them.

    goto powerbookmedic.com and confirm this for yourself.

    Oh, as for the faulty ram slot - none of the DDR2 based PowerBooks ever had this problem, so you are safe

    Message was edited by: romko23
  • by BGreg,

    BGreg BGreg Mar 20, 2011 6:06 AM in response to blackmajik2021
    Level 6 (17,522 points)
    Mar 20, 2011 6:06 AM in response to blackmajik2021
    The system will just clock the memory to the speed it's set for. That's not your problem, and OWC isn't trying to put one over on you.

    The issue with the lower memory slot not working has affected many more systems than the limited warranty extension that Apple did. While I don't recall seeing this with any frequency on the last of the Powerbooks, I wouldn't say your system is immune either. Since your existing RAM card works, have you put it in the other slot and started the system?

    You say the computer won't boot with the new OWC ram in the known working slot, which is odd. Based on that, I'd return the memory to OWC and get Crucial RAM for $19, which is also PC2-5300. While I've used Crucial, Samsung, and Kingston memory (not their valueram line, though) in Powerbooks with no issues, Crucial is probably the top tier vendor for me, as I've been using their memory for years in different systems, and never had an issue. Crucial guarantees their memory will work in your system when chosen from their memory selector on their web site.
  • by romko23,

    romko23 romko23 Mar 20, 2011 10:41 AM in response to BGreg
    Level 2 (395 points)
    Mar 20, 2011 10:41 AM in response to BGreg
    Just confirmed when I called Apple.. only the models previous to the DDR2 ones had this problem.. the Hi-Res 15 and 17 inch, moniker: 9969/9970 don't suffer from these issues.
  • by Studio1476,

    Studio1476 Studio1476 Apr 13, 2011 8:43 AM in response to blackmajik2021
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 13, 2011 8:43 AM in response to blackmajik2021
    Just experienced exactly the same problem as blackmajik2021 while trying to upgrade a 15" G4 Hi-Res 1.67GHz PB from 1GB total RAM to 2 GB with OWC RAM. Tried 2 1GB sticks; results: 3-beep bad ram & no boot, so returned for a second pair, same result, which OWC happily accepted for a refund, but with no clue as to why these sticks wouldn't work. The sticks were labeled the same as blackmajik2021's samples. Hmmm. Meanwhile, I've ordered another pair of 1GB sticks from another supplier.
  • by Studio1476,

    Studio1476 Studio1476 Apr 19, 2011 8:48 AM in response to Studio1476
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 19, 2011 8:48 AM in response to Studio1476

    Update to my earlier post of 4/13/11: Installed another pair of 1GB sticks (this time from DMS, Inc.) labelled DDR2-533 PC2-4200 in the 15" Hi-Res 1.67GHz PowerBook and now everything works fine. Upgraded OS X to 10.5.8 with no problems. Happy ram at last!