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Level 1

5 points

MacBook (early 2008) - 4gb RAM upgrade

Hi all,

I'm experiencing similar issues as others trying to upgrade my MacBook to 4gb RAM. I recently purchased two 2GB memory modules from Crucial.
Like others have reported, when I install the 2x2gb the computer can turn on but do not boot up and get stuck on a black screen.
If I install only one of the 2gb module in any of the slots it doesn't work either.
The only way to make it work is by inserting 1x2gb and 1x1gb (original module) in any of the slots. As such, the Macbook works properly and recognise 3gb.

Clearly, the memory modules are not faulty. I just don't understand why it would work only while inserting one of the original modules?

During the purchase, I made sure that I selected the correct memory modules using Crucial tool and I also checked that I got the correct speed (PC2-5300 667MHz).

I sent an email to Crucial and they suggested that I ensure I have the latest firmware as it seems to be a limitation/restrictions on the motherboard. Crucial also recommended me to check directly with Apple on the matter.

What do you think?

If that helps here is the information from the System profiler:
- Boot ROM Version: MB41.00C1.B00
- SMC Version: 1.31f0

Thanks.

Message was edited by: philskl

Macbook (White Early 2008) 2.4 GHz, 2gb RAM, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Sep 23, 2009 6:10 AM

27 replies

femto5

Level 1

0 points

Oct 29, 2009 6:42 PM in response to philskl

I am having similar issues with the same type of mac. I have tried several different brands of RAM: crucial, ocz, cosair. Crucial definitely doesn't work. When I inserted it, my computer read it as incompatible memory (even though I know it should work). I tried pc6400 crucial to see if it would work. The strange thing is that it would work with only one stick plus my old memory stick, but not with both (the computer would turn on, but the screen would stay black). I then tried cosair value select memory. This worked, but one of the sticks was bad, so I would not suggest buying this. The next brand I tried was ocz. It worked fine except for the fact that my computer read them as 1Gb sticks rather than 2Gb. I think they mislabeled the memory. I have yet to find good RAM that works correctly. This has been a real goose chase, but I hope my experiences might help someone else looking to upgrade.

mkramp

Level 1

0 points

Nov 5, 2009 9:52 PM in response to femto5

I'm in the same boat as some of the other people on this forum. Anyone hear of any solutions? I'm waiting to hear back from PNY about the ram I purchased from them. The fact that it works when paired with an original module makes me think, like other posters have mentioned, that they are mislabeled PC-6400's that they're selling as PC-5300's because they're supposed to be backwards compatible. So, right now, I'm sitting on a 1GB upgrade (from 2GB to 3GB) that I paid 80 bucks for. It would be nice if Apple would touch base on this issue, and explain why the MBP 4,1 has such a massive issue with simply running the RAM at the lower clock speed that it refuses to even boot.

voxel1

Level 1

4 points

Nov 15, 2009 6:53 PM in response to mkramp

I'm having the same issue. Ordered Crucial CT25664AC667 from Amazon and my computer will not boot with them installed. Wish I had known about this issue before ordering them!

Does anyone have any further updates on where/how you got a ram upgrade to work?

Now I have to see if these will be refunded by Crucial even though I ordered from Amazon... Ugh.

Lyssa

Level 8

41,327 points

Nov 15, 2009 6:56 PM in response to voxel1

If you have a MacBook with an Intel graphics chipset, the only way to get the mislabled modules to work is to pair one of them with a properly-labeled module.

~Lyssa

voxel1

Level 1

4 points

Nov 15, 2009 7:03 PM in response to Lyssa

Mine is a Macbook Pro 4,1 with the NVIDIA graphics chipset. Does this mean you know of some way to get the mislabeled modules working on such a machine?

Lyssa

Level 8

41,327 points

Nov 15, 2009 7:09 PM in response to voxel1

Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of the MacBook Pros. You should repost your question as a new topic in the MacBook Pro forum to see if the folks there have any advice.

~Lyssa

philskl Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 15, 2009 8:01 PM in response to voxel1

To Voxel1: Yes they will refund even though you purchased on Amazon - you just need to call the customer service and request an RMA number

I remembered something about Amazon customers - here's the webpage http://www.crucial.com/support/returns.aspx

voxel1

Level 1

4 points

Nov 16, 2009 12:11 AM in response to philskl

philskl, thank you very much for the link and information!

Nov 19, 2009 12:46 PM in response to philskl

I have the same model MacBook. When I went to Crucial for the $4Gb upgrade, I let them access my computer to tell what machine it is and what's installed on it. After it does that, Crucial will advise what kind of RAM is compatible. When I got it, I just took out the two modules of RAM that were in it and put in the new ones. The hardest part was getting the little plate that spans the battery compartment open. But I started it up and the machine recognized it right away.

philskl Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 27, 2009 9:04 PM in response to voxel1

Hi all,

I purchased on 4gb kit from an Australian website as I'm located down under http://www.ramcity.com.au/

Ordered online on 25th November and got the memory modules yesterday and it works perfectly!

I understand that most of the people here are not located in Australia but just wanted to let you know that this website/brand works 🙂

Hope that helps.

myhighway

Level 5

7,270 points

Dec 9, 2009 10:10 PM in response to philskl

+it works perfectly!+

Glad to hear you have it working:D In the end, that's all that really matters. I'm sure it's given your Mac a real kick in the pants!

However, your link does not contain any info regarding a brand or manufacturer, only a reseller. Resellers are a dime a dozen - there must be thousands of them across the planet. There's almost no way to be certain what they'll ship in advance unless they're willing to provide specific detailed part numbers or detailed photos. Most will do neither. The luck of the draw.

philskl Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 10, 2009 1:26 AM in response to myhighway

Sorry about that - here is the link to the kit I purchased http://www.ramcity.com.au/product/KIN1-AMK13I-4G-04.htm

As a quick reminder my Macbooks is a White model Early 2008 (4,1)

Hope that helps!

MacBook (early 2008) - 4gb RAM upgrade