During various operations, including SuperDuper, downloading files and watching YouTube, the machine froze and I had to restart by holding down the power button.
I've run memtestosx in single user mode and it didn't turn up any issues.
Should I return the RAM and get a replacement set? Should I go with a different brand?
I just emailed OWC about the ram I purchased they just sent me back this email. They said apple addressed the problem in these Firmware Updates:
Anthony,
This is not a problem with the OWC memory. This is a know issue with the new macbooks and any memory upgrade. Apple has just release the firmware updates do correct the issue, they can be found here:
MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.6 "This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of MacBook Pro (Late 2008) computers."
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3260
MacBook Pro 15-inch SMC Firmware Update 1.2 "This SMC Firmware Update improves the sensing and accuracy of the MagSafe Power Adapter indicator light, and the battery charge indicator lights on MacBook Pro (Late 2008) computers."
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2368
MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.3 "This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of MacBook (Late 2008) computers."
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2368
MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.2 "This SMC Firmware Update improves the sensing and accuracy of the MagSafe Power Adapter indicator light, and the battery charge indicator lights on MacBook (Late 2008) computers."
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2368
I'm not able to test this yet, because my ram was sent to my home (I'm in college). If anyone tries these firmware updates and it fixes the ram issues, keep us updated.
Well I received my replacement 4gb of kingston ram yesterday. Before I installed it I did the fw updates. My mb has been running fine for nearly 24 hours with 4gb. However, last time it took 4 days so I guess time will tell.
I successfully installed the updates yesterday early in the morning and so far my computer has crashed about 3-4 times in 24 hours. I am running on original "Apple memory" (I got the upgrade to 4GB installed at the store). I have also tried Avant, Nuimpact and Crucial memory brands with the same results...
I can't say that everyone's problem is solved, but after the Dec 10 Firmware Update, my 13" MacBook is content with the 4GB OWC RAM that had given it so many problems before. Uptime now 15 hours; previously the max was 2 hours. Thank you, Santa.
Apple should be ashamed of the new MacBooks. Just horrible quality. Bad keyboards with slanted keys, CTRL key keeps just popping off, bad backlighting ... and now the RAM issue. I have Kingston RAM (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9146667&type=product&id=1218035197 495) 2x2GB. Yes it is Apple certed RAM which means each stick is tested. With 4GB (after firmware update) locks up regularly. Go back to 3GB and works fine. There is no way they didn't know about this and still released. Quality control for Apple went out the window on these products.
I don't know about overall quality. However the RAM problem is a stinker.
I experienced repeated, random kernel panics and system freezes after installing the OWC 4GB kit for this machine. Only replacing the original factory installed RAM did the trick of restoring reliability.
I spoke to OWC tech support repeatedly. They finally advised me of the imminent (at the time) Dec 10 EFI firmware release, which apparently Apple prepared because of widespread RAM problems of a similar kind, even with their Apple-supplied RAM from their store (which is "guaranteed to work").
I replaced the firmware, I also reset the SMC, zapped the PRAM (at the suggestion of OWC tech support). I tested the OWC Ram using Apple's own hardware test disk, supplied with the machine, and a freeware open source memory tester that is much more robust than Apple's called "Rember"
The memory tests fine. However, after all this work, and the implementation of the "sure-fire" final solution of installing new firmware, the memory fails to work reliably (or I should say, the machine fails to work reliably. The firmware does seem to have ended the kernel panics. However, it froze for the first time after only five or six hours of intermittent use and sitting idle. It froze in the middle of a scroll down a Web page on Firefox.
I rebooted in single user mode and did and fsck twice and rebooted (standard routine with any forced power down -- there is inevitable alteration of the catalog and directory which really should be repaired before attempting further use). The next start and the machine froze within 30 seconds. I am now performing yet another memory test using Rember, started in "Safe" mode. After 3 loops (4GB of memory takes a long long time to test), no sign of problems with these chips.
OWC has that lifetime warranty, so I will now have to swap the DIMMS for new ones, and hope these work. Apparently the nature of the problem is such that a significant number of perfectly fine modules from ALL manufacturers simply do not work properly. So it's a matter of random replacement until you get modules that work. Apparently some vendors more consistently produce modules that have a higher incidence of success (like Samsung, but that is still no guarantee). This is obviously a serious design flaw, and it point directly to Apple, which tacitly acknowledges the problem by rushing a firmware fix to a line of machines not yet 60 days old.
Very disappointing to say the least. It's a total pain in the ***, opening, closing, opening, etc. the machine to change RAM. Obviously the other mistake was making it so difficult to make this user-doable improvement. So much for smarter modular construction with their new monocoque construction -- obviously more for esthetic and ecological reasons than for reasons of improved performance and productivity.
I agree it is a pain to open it up and change the RAM over and over, but that isn't the kind of thing Apple was assuming would need to be done over and over. The hard drive is easily replaceable as is the battery. That is what is important.
I had posted a couple of days ago saying that the EFI and SMC updates didn't do anything to solve this problem. My computer did crash many times and quite frequently with light, heavy and no load at all... I decided for once more (after doing the updates and making sure the memory was installed properly) to reset the PRAM. I can now say that i haven't had a single freeze under any circumstance (editing video, running parallels, running time machine from scratch... you name it) for well over 24 hours of uptime. The only thing that may set my case apart from some of you is that the ram I have was installed at the apple store. I guess i suggest you guys make sure the EFI and SMC updates are properly installed and then reset the PRAM. Good Luck!!! I'll post again shall my computer ever freeze...
OWC told me the same thing, but I've tried these updates and they didn't have any effect. OWC is letting me exchange, but I'm trying a few of their other tips before doing so. I've tried testing the RAM with Rember, but it keeps freezing up partway through the test. Don't know if that indicates bad RAM or not.
Does anyone have any further information on this problem? Or has it basically come down to trying different sets of RAM over and over and over until one works in your machine. I've gone through 2 OCW sets and 1 Crucial set. None of these worked.
Is my only option to buy RAM from apple themselves? Or is it possible for me to buy it from a 3rd party that will actually work?
I can't find any recent information on this. Google turns up nothing, and most articles haven't had comments since mid december. Has 10.5.6 taken care of the issue, can anyone shed some light on this for me please? Thank you so much.
I tried resetting the PRAM after installing the updates and then adding the ram, but it did not help. Still getting freezes, so I am now running on the original 2gb ram which is a pain in the *** performance-wise.
Hello,
I don't know what is the status of this problem now, but I would like to point out that our local distributors installing Transcend memory into Macbooks and they saying that this vendor working fine. Take a look here:
http://ec.transcendusa.com/product/ItemDetail.asp?exid=1&ItemID=TS2GAP1066S What is strange it's a statement "Prioprietary RAM for Apple" and "Don't use Elpida chip". Anybody knows what does it mean?
Well after trying 2 sets of Kingston ram and having nothing but issues I have finally found ram that works. Been up for 5 days with no issues. I purchased 4gb from this seller on Ebay and needless to say I am happy I made the purchase.
