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Lower Memory Slot - Empty

Any update on this issue, I have been searching through the posts and have fond that this is affecting certain Powerbooks for the second time now. It appears as if what ever is causing the lower slot to fail has not been resolved.

For those not familiar with the issue. Apparently the lower dimm slot on the main logic board fails to work. This may be the result of new power managemdent updates to teh software. It may be due to teh fan not working and the Powerbook overheating and frying teh main logic board. Does anyone know?

Posted on May 9, 2005 9:35 PM

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312 replies

Aug 4, 2005 6:06 AM in response to ggeoffre

I've had this problem as well. In January, the J25 Lower memory slot stopped recognising the second 512MB RAM after about a year of use. Since it was covered by AppleCare, Apple replaced the RAM. It worked for about a week, and failed again. The most noticeable symptom was that the system became very slow, as the system chugged under virtual memory (went from 1GB to 512MB). "About This Mac" reported only 512MB, and running Apple Hardware Test verified there was an error with J25 Lower again. Apple then replaced the Logic board and the RAM, and it has worked continuously since then. I've since upgraded the RAM again to 2x1GB without any trouble.

One other strange thing happened - the computer's serial number was erased round about when the J25 first failed. It was no longer reported in "About This Mac" or System Profiler, and was reported incorrectly within AHT. The logic board replacement did not reinstate the serial number.

After having numerous problems with a Titanium PowerBook G4 which then went out of warranty, purchasing AppleCare was a necessity with the Aluminium PowerBook G4. As an early purchaser I had the infamous "faint white spots" on the screen, and had that fixed by AppleCare. I hope Apple also acknowledges and fixes the lower RAM slot defect beyond warranty.

Aug 4, 2005 5:56 PM in response to Helene Deuley

Wecome to the "club"....

I'm on my 4th logic board because of this problem. However the good news is that Apple service has been excellent and has only taken 3 or 4 business days each time I sent it in (under Applecare).

I suggest taking it to an Apple store if there's one anywhere near you. They will arrange to ship it to and from a service depot where your logic board will be replaced.

How long this fix will last is anybody's guess however. Would be a good idea to purchase Applecare if you're still eligible for it.

Aug 4, 2005 6:13 PM in response to ggeoffre

We need to keep this issue alive! I feel for all of you PB owners that have your computers just out of warranty - Apple should acknowledge there is a fault in the PB design and initiate a recall.

I had my new 2005 AlPB 1.67 repaired in April this year. I was lucky: it was under warranty, and then I bought AppleCare recently which I do for all my PowerBooks. I can have a little peace of mind for another couple of years - no out of pocket repair cost anyway.

I do expect my PowerBooks to last at least 4 to 5 years:
PB 190cs - 1995
PB G3FW - 2000
PB G4 1.67 - 2005
? - 2010

Aug 9, 2005 7:37 PM in response to ggeoffre

It's baaaaaack!....

iSmile, "Lower Memory Slot Failure? CONTACT APPLE HERE", 12:57pm Apr 6, 2005 CDT

Thank you Apple for putting the long lower memory slot thread back online, and even placing it at the top of the forum! It's locked now - which I feel is understandable - but there's a lot of good information there for others who are having this problem.

Props to Apple 🙂

[edit] Oh.... looks like a lot of posts are missing from that thread. Well, it's good to see it again anyway, and hopefully it means that someone is actually listening to us...

Lower Memory Slot - Empty

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