Bought an iMac G3, want to upgrade the ram

512MB is the maximum RAM (2x 256MB sticks) as officially supported by Apple but "Unofficially" this model can support 1GB of RAM... (2x 512MB sticks) ...try ebay for some second hand modules ...get PC100 SDRAM sticks or even PC133 SDRAM will work... you can also buy it on OWC

http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgrades.cfm?model=120

Put a GIG of ram in this model imac and the OS will love you!... if you have a DVD drive it will happily run MacOSX.4 Tiger! : )

Sweet!

My Mom has an iMac indigo (summer 2001, 400mhz, Power PC 750 (322). I want to upgrade her RAM to 1gb. will this RAM work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Micron-Technology-512MB-PC100-UNBUFFERED-3-3v-SDRAM_W0QQitem Z320294584949QQihZ011QQcategoryZ14913QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There are a lot of sob stories around these parts regarding eBay RAM in Macs. In the item you linked, the vendor does not state if it is a low- or high-density module. You want low.

Nine bucks is cheap so take the chance if you want, but the ad puts the burden of proof on you to find out if it works.

It should, but I can't tell for sure from the ad. The seller wants you to find out if it works in your computer. If he could give you Micron's part number, you could see if Micron recommends it for an iMac.

This is why I'm willing to pay more for RAM from a Mac-savvy vendor like Other World Computing or Data Memory Systems.

I also have a iMac G3 400 MHz, (summer 2000 powermac2.2)
I bought two 512 MB but It was not recognized by the computer. I later found out that they were High Density. Apple specification does not specify this. Does this mean that some High Density will work ?

The iMac's memory controller can recognize "high density" memory, if referring to memory that uses 256 Megabit chips. As an example, an iMac will recognize a 512 MB DIMM that has (16) 256 Megabit chips on the card, with (8) on each side. If you try a 512 MB DIMM having only (8) chips - with either (8) on one side of the card or (4) on both sides, then the DIMM has 512 Megabit chips on it. The "higher" density 512 Megabit chips aren't supported by the iMac's memory controller.

outoforderorder explains how...
By the way, here it is how you find the terminal application.
Macintosh-HD -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal


From: san francisco,ca
Registered: Apr 27, 2007

Re: Do the widgets drain system resources and power?
Posted: Apr 28, 2007 2:51 PM



email l

i tend to think dashboard is neat, but not neccesary for my everyday workflow.

it is possible to enable and disable it as needed,
by entering the following commands into the terminal:

To turn Dashboard off:

defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean YES

To turn Dashboard on:

defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean NO

*You have to restart the Dock after making either change for it to take effect:

killall Dock

The Memory module I have has 8 Chips on each side and a total capacity of 512 MB. I guess they should work, What can I try to make them work ?

Thank You

I upgraded my iMac G3 with two 512MB modules in 2005 from Other World Computing. Memory has lifetime warranty and has been flawless. I also took the opportunity to order a PRAM battery at the same time (hint, hint).

OWC offers their house brand memory for about $32 and Techworks for about $12 more per 512MB module. You are looking at less than $100 to upgrade to 1 GB of memory. The PRAM battery at OWC is $4.95 and at your nearest Radio Shack about $20. These prices can be subject to change.

Based on the performance of my iMac, I would not advise settling for 512 MB with Mac OS X. Based on my experience, OWC is a trusted source for the right memory. They are not paying me to advertise for them.

/chuck

Based on my experience, OWC is a trusted source for the right memory.

I couldn't agree more. This entire thread started with eBay RAM. I can't begin to count the number of posts in Apple Discussions that start, " New RAM not recognized." where RAM was bought from a vendor who was not Mac-savvy.

Buy RAM from an online vendor with good Mac support. I discovered all my RAM vendors through posts here in Apple Discussions, not by surfing eBay. I've also found that brick-n-mortar office and computer superstores often have outdated or incorrect RAM charts hanging on the shelf, and the employees are so Windows-centric that they think "Mac" is a burger.

Crucial, Other World Computing, Data Memory Systems, RamJet, and RamDirect have all received good grades from successful upgraders here.

It should work, if the internal organization is supported. Are you pressing down with enough force, to fully seat it in the slot?

Well, I think I did. I have tried many time with one 128 and one 512 and every time the 128 work. I have switch slot with the same result. I have tried two 512 or one alone and none of them work. 😟