spider83
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Q: how to fix dead ram slots on a emac

i have a emac and i get the start up tone and then three tones i was just wondering if it's the ram or the ram slots that need to be fixed?

emac 2003

Posted on Aug 19, 2012 4:38 AM

by Allan Jones,Solvedanswer
Allan Jones Allan Jones
Level 8 (35,054 points)
iPad
A:

Older Macs can be very sensitive to getting the right RAM. RAM like EDO, buffered, registers and hi-density often made for peecees often fail in a PPC Mac. That eMac model has a max RAM capacity of 1GB (2 x 512MB modules).

 

My two trusted Mac RAM vendors are a long way from your door, but I'll post them so you can see the specs for proper RAM for your model:

 

512MB PC133 CL3 3-2-2/PC100 CL2 2-2-2 168 Pin SDRam for  Power Mac G4

 

and

 

http://www.datamemorysystems.com/_apple_info/Apple_G4_eMac_1GHz_Memory_1291.asp

 

Did you find any labels on the RAM sticks you have now?

Posted on Aug 20, 2012 8:01 AM

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spider83

Q: how to fix dead ram slots on a emac

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  • by Allan Jones,Helpful

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Aug 19, 2012 7:56 AM in response to spider83
    Level 8 (35,054 points)
    iPad
    Aug 19, 2012 7:56 AM in response to spider83

    Welcome!

     

    Could be either but eMacs historically don't have a trend to failing RAM slots found is some other models like certain G4 PowerBooks.

     

    First thing is to remove and reseat the RAM. This makes sure nothing is loose and helps freshen up the contacts as the module slids out and back in. Do this and test.

     

    Have you recently added RAM or other hardware, or did the three-chime signal start randomly?

     

    If you've added RAM, take out what you added and test with the RAM loadout that you had before adding RAM.

     

    In case you bought incompatible RAM, we need to narrow down which eMac variant you have. If you have access to another computer, please see this Apple article:

     

    How to locate the serial number and identify your model

     

    and post what you find for the variant. Note the article has you look at the LAST THREE LETTERS of the serai numbers to make this work.

     

    If the problem turns out to be bad RAM slots, it's unlikely to be something you can fix. The usual repair is a new logic board that may cost as much as a refurb Mac Mini

     

    If the chart shows yours is an "eMac (USB 2.0)" we need to do further checking. A significant number of that model had bad logic boards, although ti wasn't the RAM slots that were bad.

  • by spider83,

    spider83 spider83 Aug 20, 2012 6:28 AM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 20, 2012 6:28 AM in response to Allan Jones

    the serial number is YMxxxxxP9J and the model is a emac (ati graphics) p9j

     

    <Edited By Host>

  • by spider83,

    spider83 spider83 Aug 20, 2012 1:19 AM in response to spider83
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 20, 2012 1:19 AM in response to spider83

    i took out the ram and reseated and the same thing happens i don't know if the any ram was added and the chimes didn't start

    randomly

  • by Allan Jones,Helpful

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Aug 20, 2012 6:54 AM in response to spider83
    Level 8 (35,054 points)
    iPad
    Aug 20, 2012 6:54 AM in response to spider83

    To get the question out of the way, can you confirm this computer once worked properly for you? Helps to establish a little history in these cases.

     

    Next thing to try is one RAM module at a time. That can reveal bad modules and bad slots.

     

    So the RAM currently installed was there when you got the computer?

     

    The eMac (ATI Graphics) did not have any huge issues that affected a large number of computers the way the logic board issue did with the eMAc (USB 2.0).

     

    Do any of the RAM modules have identifying stickers with a description, or a least a make and part number? If they do, post the info and I can see if they meet the specs for that model computer.

  • by spider83,

    spider83 spider83 Aug 20, 2012 7:09 AM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 20, 2012 7:09 AM in response to Allan Jones

    yeah it did work i think the previous owners tried to upgrade the ram and i have been looking around other site and discussions and they all tell me that i need new ram

  • by Allan Jones,Solvedanswer

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Aug 20, 2012 8:01 AM in response to spider83
    Level 8 (35,054 points)
    iPad
    Aug 20, 2012 8:01 AM in response to spider83

    Older Macs can be very sensitive to getting the right RAM. RAM like EDO, buffered, registers and hi-density often made for peecees often fail in a PPC Mac. That eMac model has a max RAM capacity of 1GB (2 x 512MB modules).

     

    My two trusted Mac RAM vendors are a long way from your door, but I'll post them so you can see the specs for proper RAM for your model:

     

    512MB PC133 CL3 3-2-2/PC100 CL2 2-2-2 168 Pin SDRam for  Power Mac G4

     

    and

     

    http://www.datamemorysystems.com/_apple_info/Apple_G4_eMac_1GHz_Memory_1291.asp

     

    Did you find any labels on the RAM sticks you have now?

  • by spider83,

    spider83 spider83 Aug 22, 2012 5:53 AM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 22, 2012 5:53 AM in response to Allan Jones

    thankyou you have been a great help and this has solved my question thankyou again