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User profile for user: kate2008
kate2008 Author
User level: Level 1
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I need help installing RAM!

Okay, I'm a little frustrated now.... I did major research and ended up finding out what RAM I needed for my mac. Even talked to Apple over the phone, told him what I had etc and actually just ended up ordering from there. Currently have 512 and ordered 2 1GB sticks. Instructions to install are pretty straight forward, however, after putting the additional memory in, I checked the hardware info on the computer and it's not showing up. I also have new software to install which needs more memory, and I tried installing that again and it gave me the same message (need more ram) so I know I didn't put them in correctly. I didn't want to force the sticks in there to hard, but after trying to install they did fit in there but the ejectors that hold them in place didn't fit/clip around the new memory quite like the the other memory already in there. How hard are you supposed to push these dang things in there? Upon looking very very (very closely) I noticed the sticks have a little grove sort of in the middle of the edge that fits into the slot. When you look at the slot in the computer you can see this tiny little part that isn't flush with everything else and sort of looks like that grove on the memory stick was made for that, however, when I try and fit the memory stick in the slot, they don't line up. and doesn't seem to matter what side is up. Does this mean I have the wrong memory stick?? or I am just out in left field here.
This shouldn't be this hard to do - (I keep telling myself that anyway)

ANY help out there would be greatly appreciated!

G5, Mac OS X (10.5.4), Dual 1.8 GHz 512MB ram

Posted on Sep 10, 2008 8:58 PM

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User profile for user: Samsara
Samsara
User level: Level 4
1,327 points

Sep 11, 2008 12:55 AM in response to kate2008

Hey Kate,

Welcome to the Apple Discussion Boards! 🙂

This should help you out:
http://www.info.apple.com/usen/cip/pdf/g5/memory_c.pdf

Installing RAM can be a little tricky sometimes. You should lay your mac on its side and try to get a good amount of light in there to work with.
I've found that the labels on RAM face up. Make sure the snap locks are in the up position. Stick the RAM into the slot so its matching that indent you see. Use the guides on right and left to align the RAM into place. When your sure everything is lined up use both hands (or fingers on both hands) and push down on both sides a little out of center. It can take a good shove. You'll know you're successful when both of the snaps on the sides move down into place. If one side looks higher than the other, push down on that side while holding in place the other. You should hear a satisfying click.

After you've installed all the RAM, look around where you've just installed it and look for a little metallic-like button. This is your PMU reset button. Press and hold it for about 2 1/2 seconds. Replace the fan, close up your mac, and you should be in business. Write back if you're not. Good luck.

Message was edited by: Samsara
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User profile for user: kate2008
kate2008 Author
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Sep 11, 2008 6:51 AM in response to Samsara

Thx Samsara, I'll give it another try this evening. Did think of something else tho... (and just to make sure) I should be able to keep the old RAM in there and just add the two new ones in the next (inner working out) slots right (so that I have 2.5 GB) right? I mean, it's not necessary to pull out the old and put the new ones in their place (that's what the extra slots are for yadda yadda)....
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User profile for user: kate2008
kate2008 Author
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Sep 15, 2008 6:36 PM in response to Samsara

Well,
I tried a few more attempts with no luck. I'm using pretty good pressure/force and the ram just won't go in. I'm beginning to think I have the wrong memory (despite ordering over the phone with an apple rep). I just don't think it should be this hard to fit in the slots.
Someone gave me the suggestion that maybe pulling out one of the memory boards that are already in there to see if they look pretty similar but also to see what the pressure is to take out/put back in, and then maybe putting the new memory in the 1st slots and the older ones in the second. Sounds good, but at this point, I'm paranoid that I'll take those old ones out and not be able to get them back in!
I did see that little button you were talking about tho (to reset once I got the memory in).

Is there any way to tell if I have the right ram? I mean there's nothing on the memory itself that says "PC3200U"... actually there's not much info at all offered. I've already been on the phone to another apple rep and gave him all the info on them.

Any more suggestions or things I can tried (just short of using a hammer) j/k

Kate
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User profile for user: Samsara
Samsara
User level: Level 4
1,327 points

Sep 15, 2008 6:54 PM in response to kate2008

Hi Kate,
I'm sorry to hear your still having problems with that. It can be annoying and difficult sometimes but it shouldn't be as bad as what you're experiencing.

Was there no invoice or packing slip that came with the RAM? There are two different 1.8s that Apple made but I'm not sure if the RAM would be different. Go to this page and see if you can find any useful info. They do a good job of presenting the options. If they are still open you could talk to one of their tech reps, they are very good.
http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Models.cfm?stype=Memory&4520

Your friends suggestion is sound. Thinking about it again it may be better to have the bigger RAM in the first slots anyway. Write back to say how you've made out. Good luck, Kate 🙂
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User profile for user: Samsara
Samsara
User level: Level 4
1,327 points

Sep 15, 2008 7:06 PM in response to kate2008

Actually it seems Apple made more than two, or made different revisions. Still the RAM for all seems to be the same. If you go to the page above and click on one of their RAM suggestions you can see a nice big picture of the RAM. You can also see the 1.8s they list.

Hammers are reserved as a last, and most satisfying, resort. 😉
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User profile for user: Technoapple
Technoapple
User level: Level 1
25 points

Sep 16, 2008 2:20 PM in response to Samsara

Sorry to hi-jack this thread Kate.

I'm about to install - KTA-G5400/2G 2GB PC3200 Kit - into my G5 DP.

Having read the .pdf installation guide there is no mention of having to reset PMU?

What is this PMU button and what is the purpose of resetting it?

Why is it not mentioned in the .pdf installaion guide you pointed to Samara?
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User profile for user: Samsara
Samsara
User level: Level 4
1,327 points

Sep 16, 2008 6:58 PM in response to Technoapple

Technoapple,

It's not a necessity to do so by any means. It's just I was wondering if Kate had in fact seated her RAM correctly and her machine was balking at recognizing that fact. If that were the case, resetting the cuda, pmu, smu (different terms for the same thing) might have given her machine the jolt it needed to see that it was actually in there. But ordinarily one doesn't have to do this when installing RAM, so you shouldn't need to.
Edit: One should be confident their RAM is seated correctly, but if it doesn't show up resetting the PMU is worth a try. In Kate's case I was trying to preempt her from having to go back inside her Mac again.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1436?viewlocale=en_US

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1939

Message was edited by: Samsara
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User profile for user: Samsara
Samsara
User level: Level 4
1,327 points

Sep 17, 2008 8:09 AM in response to japamac

Yes, thanks Japamac. I should have listed that as something for Kate to try. I wonder how she's doing. Only in my latest G5 has installing RAM not been a pain in the neck. More room to work, I think, and the snaps had a lot more give, not like the brittle plastic I had experienced before.
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User profile for user: kate2008
kate2008 Author
User level: Level 1
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Sep 19, 2008 8:11 PM in response to Samsara

Thanks for the additional info/link and clearing up regarding the PMU button 🙂

Got a little side tracked with other stuff, so I decided to give my thumbs a break.

I glanced at the link (thx again) but will look for my invoice/packslip that came with it and compare info.

Will keep ya posted! 🙂
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User profile for user: VrijVlinder
VrijVlinder
User level: Level 1
9 points

Nov 6, 2008 7:20 PM in response to Samsara

Installing RAM and it does not show up in system profiler or about my mac ?

Assuming you have the correct RAM for your Mac.

In the manual for installing it tells you how to install the new RAM , but you must pay attention it says install in pairs of identical capacity , NOT INSTALL SIDE BY SIDE !
Look at the mother board and next to the RAM Banks or slots are numbers . The top Bank has 1,2,3,4
The bottom Bank has 1,2,3,4

Installing in pairs = *One stick of RAM goes in the 1 slot* of the top bank and the *second stick of RAM goes in the 1 slot* of the bottom Bank etc.

If you follow this you will then see the RAM increase in System Profiler without resetting anything .

That part of the instructions in the Apple Manual is not clear about that at all .

Hope this solves your issues .
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I need help installing RAM!

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