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Anastasios P.

Q: MacBook Pro - RAM Upgrade Problems

I recently purchased the Kingston 4gb RAM upgrade kit for my MacBook Pro. The RAM is the KTA-MB667K2/4G model with 2 x 2gb memory modules. According the Kingston website this RAM is compatible with my MacBook Pro (details below).

When I inserted both new moduless, my MBP failed to boot. The power light illuminated but OS X did not boot. I then tried the following permutations:

1. New 2gb Kingston module + the original 1gb Samsung module = booted and recognized a total of 3gb RAM.

2. The second 2gb Kingston module + the original 1gb Samsung module = booted and recognized a total of 3gb RAM.

3. Either of the new 2gb Kingston modules ALONE = MBP did not boot.

4. I inserted the both 2gb Kingston module into a MacBook (white, 2008 model) and the MB booted and recognized the full 4gb memory.

The experiment suggests that the memory modules are OK. I should also add that all permutations were examined when testing the Kingston memory modules in the MBP i.e the RAM bays were fitted to both modules during the tests.

There are similar reports of MBP not booting using this type of Kingston memory. Any help would be appreciated.

MacBook Pro Specs:

Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 3 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP41.00C1.B00
SMC Version: 1.27f1

Cheers!

MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz 15", Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Apr 6, 2009 6:16 PM

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Q: MacBook Pro - RAM Upgrade Problems

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 6, 2009 7:22 PM in response to Anastasios P.
    Level 10 (271,198 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 6, 2009 7:22 PM in response to Anastasios P.
    Contact the vendor about replacements. Perhaps try a different brand. Sometimes this will occur with certain products.
  • by D. P. Bailey,

    D. P. Bailey D. P. Bailey Apr 7, 2009 7:22 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Apr 7, 2009 7:22 AM in response to Kappy
    Do you think it could have anything to do with the speed of the RAM? I had the same problem with Crucial RAM and the speed is listed as 800mHZ, though when installed it shows as 667mHz. I have the same Mac model as above, and can only get one of the new 2gB RAM sticks to work with my old 1gb chips--they won't run when installed together. Thanks.
  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Apr 7, 2009 8:47 AM in response to D. P. Bailey
    Level 10 (271,198 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 7, 2009 8:47 AM in response to D. P. Bailey
    Depends. Installing RAM that is faster than what the computer supports is not recommended, but if you do the RAM won't run any faster than the machine's supported speed. There is no benefit to using the faster RAM. Faster RAM may not even work in some cases.

    Always install RAM that meets the required specifications for your computer. If you have a problem with new RAM you have purchased then return the modules for replacements. Try a different brand. If you have continued problems then take the computer in for service to get the problem fixed.
  • by D. P. Bailey,

    D. P. Bailey D. P. Bailey Apr 7, 2009 3:10 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Apr 7, 2009 3:10 PM in response to Kappy
    Yep... I'm heading back to my local mac store to swap these puppies.
  • by Anastasios P.,

    Anastasios P. Anastasios P. Apr 8, 2009 1:51 AM in response to D. P. Bailey
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 8, 2009 1:51 AM in response to D. P. Bailey
    I'm returning the Kingston set as well. Thanks for your help guys.
  • by D. P. Bailey,

    D. P. Bailey D. P. Bailey Apr 8, 2009 7:32 AM in response to Anastasios P.
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Apr 8, 2009 7:32 AM in response to Anastasios P.
    Got the correct 667mHz RAM, installed both 2gB sticks and now have 4gB of RAM--finally!
  • by -JondorZ-,

    -JondorZ- -JondorZ- May 5, 2009 12:12 AM in response to D. P. Bailey
    Level 1 (20 points)
    May 5, 2009 12:12 AM in response to D. P. Bailey
    May i know what brand do you use for the 2x2GB RAM??

    Sounds that Kingston doesn't sound reliable or not suitable for apple products.

    What RAM brand which is cheap should i get for my MBP(early 2008)??
  • by iVmichael,

    iVmichael iVmichael May 5, 2009 12:47 AM in response to -JondorZ-
    Level 6 (13,725 points)
    May 5, 2009 12:47 AM in response to -JondorZ-
    +What RAM brand which is cheap should i get for my MBP(early 2008)??+

    Check out this link

  • by loko__loko,

    loko__loko loko__loko May 12, 2009 4:10 AM in response to iVmichael
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 12, 2009 4:10 AM in response to iVmichael
    you can get transcend brand.. or owc at www.macsales.com
  • by ErikVader501,

    ErikVader501 ErikVader501 Jun 13, 2009 1:03 AM in response to D. P. Bailey
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 13, 2009 1:03 AM in response to D. P. Bailey
    Hi, I was just wondering what kind of memory you are using to give your macbook pro 4gigs. I just bought some Kingston memory 2x2gig sticks PC2-5300 667MHz and I am only having luck with my computer booting while only using a 2gig stick and one of my 1gig sticks with a total of 3gigs of memory. The light on the front of the computer is the only thing that turns on when I have 4gigs installed. Please let me know which kind of memory you purchased in order to resolve a similar issue that you were having.


    Thanks, Erik
  • by Zeev Belkin,

    Zeev Belkin Zeev Belkin Jun 14, 2009 7:09 AM in response to Anastasios P.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 14, 2009 7:09 AM in response to Anastasios P.
    I have the same problem exactly.
    With one 2G+ one 1G it works properly, but with 2G+2G it does not boot.
  • by 49WLSH,

    49WLSH 49WLSH Jun 20, 2009 11:49 PM in response to Zeev Belkin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 20, 2009 11:49 PM in response to Zeev Belkin
    I've just encounter the ram problem too, only that I've been using my Kingston rams for about 1 year already. They worked fine before yesterday. Then my mbp suddenly won't boot in after I restart for an update.
    I got the three flash and one pause with my sleep light.
    It was a sign for ram problem-http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1547

    So I took them for testing, it turned out that one of the rams was not working properly.
    I changed it into a new ddr2 800. So far they both worked fine.

    Now I have ddr2 667+800 (but it only show up as 667)
  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Jun 21, 2009 10:08 AM in response to -JondorZ-
    Level 8 (35,151 points)
    iPad
    Jun 21, 2009 10:08 AM in response to -JondorZ-
    Historically, reports here indicate that the problem is with Kingston's "value RAM," not their more expensive line.

    I use RAM from Other World Computing (others have liked it as "macsales.com") and Data Memory Systemsand have never had a problem with product from either vendor.