G4 Powermac Memory Compatibility

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df1975 Author

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G4 Powermac Memory Compatibility

Hi All,

I'm hoping that some learned individual(s) can advise re. G4 Powermac (Quicksilver) memory compatibility/upgrades. I have recently purchased two 512Mb PC133 Sdram sticks which I thought were compatible with my box (few trawls on Apple website, internet, etc. However, when I have come to try to install said dimms the box doesn't see them. Now I know that certain Powermacs can be a tad fussy regarding CL2 sticks but as far as I'm aware and have been led to believe this should not represent a problem. So much so that one of the sticks was actually taken from a G4 Powermac!

Specs as follows:
DIMM 1: Used, Hynix 512Mb PC133 SDRAM 16c (apparently removed from a G4 Powermac)
DIMM 2: New, Samsung 512Mb SD133Mhz PC133 CL2

The gentlemen I purchased these from assures me that both have been tested and confirmed as working. However, as yet I have not had a chance to test these in an Wintel box which takes PC133 dimms just to make absoultely sure.

Can someone please help as I've struggled to get some kind of confirmation on this prior to signing up to this forum. The box is running 10.4.11 and currently has 768Mb RAM (3x256Mb)installed.

Yours in eager anticipation,
Dave

G4 Powermac, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Apr 1, 2010 5:23 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Apr 1, 2010 6:02 PM in response to df1975

Hi Dave, and a warm welcome to the forums! 🙂

Do you have part numbers on them, both make lots of PC133 Dimms.

Have you done a PRAM reset after putting them in, CMD Option+pr...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

Are they 32x8 based memory devices?

Here's RAM that works...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/133SD512328/

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Answer 2

df1975 Author

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Apr 1, 2010 6:57 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the reply and welcome BDAqua. I'll try to respond as best as I can to your questions.

First up, I believe both sticks to be 32x8 as they are CL2. However please correct me if I'm wrong.

Here is all discernable info written on both sticks:

Samsung: 512MB SD133MHz PC133 CL2
CN M368L6423ETM - CBO 201002
(Written on Chip: Samsung 110 k4s560432b-tc75 vba145aa Korea)

Hynix: 512MB PC133 SDRAM 16C
RM May 25-05 101908
(Written on Chip: Hynix 334 A hy57v56420BT-H Korea as90637rq)

Have tried to install 2 at once, then cycling each in a random slot. Removed existing DIMMs and tried one at a time in random slots. However, have not systematically tried either individually in slot 1,2,3 etc. When I replaced the existing working DIMMs the box had a momentary wobble whereby it hung on power-up: black screen, no chime, no sound, no flashing power button. Then after reseating played a sound on power-up (not chime)then power button was flashing 3 times intermittently during its POST suggesting that reseating was required which I knew about. Thankfully, after a couple of goes OSX booted again(phew!)and hasn't been problematic since (fingers crossed). I used to work in IT so am pretty literate when it comes to engineer/technician work (Wintel environments) and don't suspect that I'm doing anything wrong re. actual physical installation and I take necessary precautions with static.

I haven't tried the PRAM reset as I wasn't aware of having to do this as I'm basically new to Macs. Is this standard procedure?

Thanks in advance for yours and others help.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Apr 1, 2010 7:20 PM in response to df1975

I haven't tried the PRAM reset as I wasn't aware of having to do this as I'm basically new to Macs. Is this standard procedure?

It often helps when changing a HW configuration like RAM.

Well, the Samsung M368L6423ETM is a 32*8, but if it doesn't support CL3 also, I don't think the Mac will see it. I don't find the CBO, just the CCC extension, at leaast in the ETM one, just the DTL...

http://saleonall.com/cat/SAM/blowout.html

Were they said to be working in a Mac, or just working?

I think with your background & it not even being Rocket Science, that these must not be Mac Compatible. 😉

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Answer 4

df1975 Author

Level 1

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Apr 6, 2010 11:12 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the reply BDAqua. I've since had it confirmed that the Hynix stick was removed from a G4 (Yikes) PowerMac Dual 450Mhz.

Was wondering if you knew if this Samsung DIMM was compatible for a Quicksilver 733Mhz?

KR H 0520
PC133U-333-542
M366S6453ETS-C7A
512Mb Sync 133Mhz CL3

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Answer 5

Apr 6, 2010 11:54 AM in response to df1975

Look at this link: *Testing RAM* @ http://guides.macrumors.com/Testing_RAM Then download & use Memtest & Ramber.

Do you have an Apple Hardware Test disc? Running the Apple Hardware Test in Loop Mode is an excellent troubleshooting step for finding intermittent hardware problems. It is especially useful when troubleshooting intermittent kernel panics. If Loop Mode is supported by the version of the Apple Hardware Test you are using, you run the Extended Test in Loop Mode by pressing Control-L before starting the test. Looping On should appear in the right window. Then click the Extended Test button.The test will run continuously until a problem is found. If a problem is found, the test will cease to loop, indicating the problem it found. If the test fails, be sure to write down the exact message associated with the failure.In some cases, RAM problems did not show up until nearly 40 loops, so give it a good run.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Apr 6, 2010 1:49 PM in response to df1975

I'm having a hard time telling from the data available to me, but it looks like it "could be" compatible.

One note, RAM that is marginal may well work on a 100 MHz bus & not on a 133 MHz bus, then... much RAM that worked "OK" in OS9 was not good enough for OSX, 10.2.x broke more RAM that worked in 10.0.x to 10.1.5, same with 10.3, 10.4, etc.

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