Just installed 2gb of RAM in iMac G5 - now it won't start up!

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Just installed 2gb of RAM in iMac G5 - now it won't start up!

I've been trying to upgrade the RAM in my iMac G5 (model A1173) for a while now, with no luck. I finally found the right type of RAM for my specific iMac, but now, after installing it, it won't start up. I put the old 512mb RAM back in and it started up just fine which means that it has something to do with the RAM I bought... Here's some more information about my specific type of iMac:

It has 512mb of RAM soldered in the bottom slot.
RAM is installed in the same fashion as this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1432
In other words, I don't have the type of iMac that has the 'loops'.
The RAM that fits is PC2-5300 200-pin, etc, etc as stated here (under Early 2006 model):
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3011
And I've read many places that you can install up to 2gb of RAM for a total of 2.5gb... but now that I've done that, it won't start up.

This is the specific RAM I bought:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134549

I have made sure that the RAM is fully inserted, so that shouldn't be the issue. I press the power button and all that happens is the fan starts and the light in the front turns on - no blinks or anything, it's just on. But a black screen...

Shouldn't it work? Is there something I have to do to get my iMac to recognize the RAM? From what I've read, it should just automatically recognize it and start up just fine. Anyone have suggestions? :/

imac g5 early 2006 model a1173, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Apr 8, 2009 1:12 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 8, 2009 1:46 PM in response to alisaaa

There are some confusing points in your post.

First of all, an early 2006 iMac is not a "G5." It is Intel.

It has 512mb of RAM soldered in the bottom slot.

If it was the last G5 iMac model, that would be true. If it's a 2006 Intel iMac, that is not true (you can remove the stock RAM). Plus you said earlier in the post that you "put the old 512mb RAM back in" which implies that you removed it. Confusing...

And I've read many places that you can install up to 2gb of RAM for a total of 2.5gb

That is true for the last G5 iMac model. The max RAM for the +early 2006+ Intel iMac is 2GB. I believe that is with a pair of 1GB modules in the TWO slots.

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Answer 2

alisaaa Author

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Apr 8, 2009 2:33 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

It's confusing because I'm confused, haha. 😉

Here are the things I do know about my iMac:

- It is a G5.
- The model number is A1173.
- The PC2-5300 200-Pin RAM fits into my iMac perfectly.
- It came with 512mb of RAM, and soon after purchasing it, I installed 512mb more (hence the 'putting the old 512mb in.')
- As hard as I try, I can't seem to get the 512mb of RAM out of the bottom slot, which makes me believe that I have the model of iMac that has 512mb soldered in. But, I could be wrong! If you can prove that the A1173 model comes with 512mb of removable RAM, please do! 🙂

Thanks for the reply, and I apologize for being so confusing!

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Answer 3

Apr 8, 2009 3:03 PM in response to alisaaa

I Googled on "A1173" and it seems to be the 1.83 GHz 17-inch iMac G5 model. If it came with 512mb of RAM, it is probably this one

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/stats/imacg5_1.8_17als.html

This other page on EveryMac.com says

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/faq_g5/imac-g5-processor-upgrade-ram- and-hard-drive-upgrade-pci-slots.html#ram

"The original and Ambient Light Sensor iMac G5 models can be upgraded to a maximum of 2.0 GB of RAM by removing the pre-installed module and installing two 1.0 GB 400 MHz PC3200 DDR SDRAM DIMMs."

Also, according to the list of compatible products sold by OWC, the correct RAM is 184-pin PC3200 (and the profile on EveryMac.com says the same).

http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgrades.cfm?model=221

So that module might fit, but I think you got the one for the later Intel iMac, which does use the 200-pin PC5300 RAM.

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Answer 4

alisaaa Author

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Apr 8, 2009 3:51 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

I forgot to mention a few other things that I do know about my iMac:

It's an Intel Core Duo, not a PowerPC.
It has iSight.
It is 17" and 1.83 GHz, 160gb hard drive.

Edit: Also, the 512mb RAM that I added when I first bought it says PC2-5300 on it. So wouldn't that be the kind that I need to get?

Also, I ordered it from Apple.com on May 9th, 2006. The EMC number is 2104. According to this website:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1463#301724
it is an early 2006.

The website you listed says that it is a PowerPC, which it isn't. So I'm not sure if that's the correct model still.

Did I just get some completely random non-model of the iMac or something? 🙂 I got it directly from Apple, so I doubt it. I'm just so confused!

Message was edited by: alisaaa

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Answer 5

Apr 8, 2009 4:01 PM in response to alisaaa

If it's Intel, then it is not a G5 (PowerPC). All the Intel iMacs have an iSight camera. If it's 17", 1.83 GHz, and Core Duo (not Core 2 Duo), then it is probably this model

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/stats/imaccd_1.8317.html

So do not pay any attention to articles and procedures for a G5 iMac. I think you are confusing what is accurate for the G5 iMac with what is accurate for your Intel iMac.

The max RAM is still 2GB. The stock RAM module is removable. To get 2GB, I believe you need to remove both module and install a pair of 1GB modules. It may work with one 2GB module and one slot empty, but I'm not sure.

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Answer 6

den.thed

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Apr 8, 2009 4:26 PM in response to alisaaa

Hi alisaaa

The maximum amount of RAM you can install in the iMac (Early 2006), iMac (Mid 2006) and iMac (17-inch Late 2006 CD) is 2 GB total *(a 1 GB SO-DIMM in each of the two slots)*.

look again at > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1432?viewlocale=en_US

The ram in both slots is removable and like Kenichi say's you need a 2GB kit, 2 1 GB matching modules for the maximum upgrade.

Dennis

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Answer 7

alisaaa Author

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Apr 8, 2009 4:39 PM in response to den.thed

Thank you both - that clears up A LOT. 🙂

Do you think the one 2gb RAM can be installed in the bottom slot (and nothing in the top slot) and work? Or do I need to buy the 2x1gb RAM?

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Answer 8

den.thed

Level 10

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Apr 8, 2009 5:03 PM in response to alisaaa

According to the EMC # 2104 that is a 17" Early Core Duo that only supports 1 GB modules.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1463?viewlocale=en_US

I don't think it's worth the risk damaging the iMac, the ram module or both, when a 2GB kit from either Crucial or OWC is only $27

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=4FAA45B8A5CA7304

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/53DR2SPAIR2G/

Or for $4 more exchange that module with Newegg for the Corsair 2GB kit, that's the same ram that I've had in my Early Core Duo for almost 3 years now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145157

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Answer 9

Apr 8, 2009 5:18 PM in response to alisaaa

And as Dennis already mentioned, using a matched pair of RAM gives a slight boost in performance. I'd return that module if possible and get the proper RAM for your iMac.

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