RAM issue

Hello! OSX is real picky about ram. It's probably "locked" it out as not meeting it's parameters. I'd return it and get a guaranteed one from OWC. Tom

http://eshop.macsales.com/

It sounds like you have a partially failed RAM module. I had one also that worked fine with Panther on most things but it caused nothing but kernel panics in Tiger which rendered the machine useless.
I'd get the RAM exchanged as soon as possible.

Dear upbeatpenguin,

first of all, welcome to Apple Discussion Forums. Hope you are going to like it here.

The fact that you are reporting that neither OSX Tiger, nor OS9 see your new SDRAM module, notwithstanding the PRAM reset and the reseating of the module, does not speak well about it.

DFA report about "invalid column address" could also be a warning that something is wrong about such SDRAM module. It could happen.

However, before tossing it and return it in exchange for another, please, could you check the following?

• Are your RAM expansion rails in good order? I.e.: do you notice the presence of dust bunnyes, oxidation of the golden contacts? In case of the first you should get rid of the bunnyes by blowing some compressed air on those rails; in case of the second, try using a pensil eraser to clean-up those contacts.
  
• Is your new SDRAM module bearing the specification "ECC" or "Buffered" by any chance? Check eventually with your vendor. The module you want should be NON-ECC of Unbuffered.
  

Let us know how you are gettin' along.

All the best.

Costa

Dear upbeatpenguin,

first of all, welcome to Apple Discussion Forums. Hope you are going to like it here.

The fact that you are reporting that neither OSX Tiger, nor OS9 see your new SDRAM module, notwithstanding the PRAM reset and the reseating of the module, does not speak well about it.

DFA report about "invalid column address" could also be a warning that something is wrong about such SDRAM module. It could happen.

However, before tossing it and return it in exchange for another, please, could you check the following?

• Are your RAM expansion rails in good order? I.e.: do you notice the presence of dust bunnyes, oxidation of the golden contacts? In case of the first you should get rid of the bunnyes by blowing some compressed air on those rails; in case of the second, try using a pensil eraser to clean-up those contacts.
  
• Is your new SDRAM module bearing the specification "ECC" or "Buffered" by any chance? Check eventually with your vendor. The module you want should be NON-ECC of Unbuffered.
  

Let us know how you are gettin' along.

All the best.

Costa

Dear upbeatpenguin,

thank you for that DFA report!
I concur. That DIMM is DOA. DON'T use it.

See if your vendor can accept an RMA and have him ship you a new stick.

If he does not, please let us know it's name so that other users like you can stear away from it.

In case you want to know good, reliable and trustworthy RAM on-line vendors, post back so I can give you a full list (with direct web-links).

Sorry about your experience 😟 ...

Hope you'll be able to sort out your RAM issue soon.

Costa

Dear upbeatpenguin,

...Sure, a list would be nice...

O.k., then; here it is:

On-line vendors

• Crucial Technology - It's the on-line commercial "arm" of Micron Technology, one of the big 4 world semiconductors producers (also quoted on the New York Stock Exchange). Sells World-Wide.
  
• MacGurus - Sells mainly in the U.S.A. - Uses an indipendent SDRAM assembler which employes only top manufacturers components (mainly from SAMSUNG Semiconductors).
  
• Buffalo Technology - One of the top 2 largest SDRAM assemblers in the world; uses only top industry components (from Samsung, Micron, Infineon, Nanya, etc.) and sells World-Wide.
  
• Kingston Technology - The other top largest SDRAM assembler in the world; uses only top industry components (a part from the other usual names, it has recently enetered a commercial agreement with Toshiba Seminconductors) and sells World-Wide (though it's strong commercial distribution is in North America).
  

The above are the four most trustworthy RAM vendors I know of.

Best of luck.

Costa

to interject...

Yes OWC makes ordering RAM easy; but it sure caused some headaches for me. After installing the RAM into my G4 everything crapped out. I was left repairing my directories with Disk Warrior and didn't get things up and running again for days.

The tech support was helpful, but the RAM was bad!