Memory for iMac G5 20-inch 2.1GHz (iSight) (DDR2)

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Level 1

5 points

Memory for iMac G5 20-inch 2.1GHz (iSight) (DDR2)

I was at the Genius BAr the other night for a problem with my iMac. I was told that Leopard would run better with an upgraded memory. The guy printed out a spec for which memory I should buy:

2GB, 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300.

I wen to the store and bought this exact ram made by Kingston.

I have tried 5 times to install it and I still cannot get the iMac to recognize it. I looked at Kingston's web site and with my iMac it says 4200 not 5300.

Is this why it is not being recognized?

Thanks for the help,

M

20" iMac a, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Oct 11, 2009 3:55 PM

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Answer 1

babowa

Level 9

78,562 points

Oct 11, 2009 4:05 PM in response to MAJArch

If your Mac is indeed a G5 (not an Intel), then this is Apple's listed memory specs for your iMac:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA23573

If that is your Mac, I would suggest to the store manager that the "genius" take a refresher course before he causes any further havoc. Hopefully you can return the RAM.

FWIW, you are posting in the Intel iMac forum.

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Answer 2

Oct 11, 2009 4:42 PM in response to MAJArch

You can use OWC's very simply and useful web store page to get the correct specs for your particular iMac model.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac

It seems like the RAM for your iMac G5 should be +PC4200 DDR2 533MHz 240 Pin+.

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Answer 3

Oct 11, 2009 7:31 PM in response to MAJArch

You can also check out Crucial for memory which will automatically select RAM for you if you select your computer/

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Answer 4

MAJArch Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 15, 2009 8:46 AM in response to MAJArch

Hello all,

My apologies for posting my topic in the wrong section of the forum - my iMac is indeed not an Intel-based machine.

The specs posted above for the memory my iMac needs are correct - it is the 4200 and not 5300. The fellows at the Apple Dept. of Microcenter were very helpful as well, more helpful than the info given to me at the Apple Store Genius Bar. Luckily, Microcenter exchanged the wrong memory I bought for the correct one. I have the 4200 in my iMac now and all is working smoothly.

Initially, when I took my iMac in to the Genius Bar for help to stop it from going to sleep for no good reason, I thought it was a problem with the processor or something more hardware related that software related. When it would go to sleep while browsing the internet or writing an email, it made an awful noise, then would re-awake when I worked the mouse. At Genius Bar, I was told to reinstall Leopard because there was a missing "hidden" file that deals with the sleep mode. But before reinstalling Leopard, I was told to buy more memory (more that the base memory installed in the machine). If I had known that would have been the advice, I would not have lugged my iMac to the store all away across town on a drizzly evening. I could have just looked up the specs for my memory on my own and done it all with no problem.

Oh well, to make a long story short - check these discussion forums for help before venturing out of the house!

Thanks again for your help.

Melissa

Message was edited by: MAJArch

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Answer 5

babowa

Level 9

78,562 points

Oct 15, 2009 9:49 AM in response to MAJArch

Glad it all worked out and thanks for the star! You might want to consider changing your sig to being more specific about your equipment - it'll make it easier for others to help.

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Answer 6

Nov 27, 2009 12:05 PM in response to MAJArch

Hi,

I DID go to crucial.com (as recommended by the Apple store staff; I followed directions for installing, and still can't get the computer to recognize the extra memory. I used crucial.com's scanner for selecting my memory, but it doesn't appear to be working...I have looked for videos to see if I made a boo-boo, but nothing. The live chat "help" at crucial.com mistook my imac isight for a laptop and gave totally bogus advice. I signed off, then signed back in, got the same guy who then referred me to a phone number. I don't need this right now--I am tired and sick...

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Answer 7

myhighway

Level 5

7,270 points

Nov 27, 2009 2:16 PM in response to hikertoots

+I followed directions for installing, and still can't get the computer to recognize the extra memory.+

You can't break the RAM inserting it. You can first easily verify whether or not the RAM belongs in your computer by visually checking the RAM module against the computer's empty RAM slot and matching up the size and male/female distinctions - it can only be inserted one way.

From experience I can assure you it takes some real force to insert a module - they almost never just slide into place - you'll never find such a remark in any instructions, as they almost always mention the RAM modules can be expected to "click" into position. At that point, whether you hear it or feel it click, you know that it's seated.

Message was edited by: myhighway

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