No boot after ram upgrade

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No boot after ram upgrade

I recently purchased a 4GB ram kit for my mid-2008 Macbook Pro. I got PNY DDR2 PC2-5300, which should work fine. Pop open the cover, remove old ram, put in new ram, put cover back on and it won't boot. I tried resetting the PRAM and it still wont boot. However, if I switch out one of the new 2GB modules with an old 1GB module, it works fine. The computer boots and sees 3GB ram.

I have a 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, which is capable of using 4GB of ram. Is there anything I can do to get my computer to boot with the full 4GB?

Message was edited by: trickysean

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Jul 15, 2010 3:38 PM

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Answer 1

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Jul 15, 2010 4:01 PM in response to trickysean

Assuming the RAM has been fully pushed home (a not uncommon issue with MNBPs) then the most likely explanation is that the RAM you have bought simply isn't fully compatible with the MBP 2.4, trickysean. It may be that there are latency issues which are somehow ameliorated when you use one of the old sticks in combination. Was it specifically sold for use in a 2.4 GHz MBP? I can't see your model listed in the PNY RAM configurator assistant.

I'd be returning it and asking for my money back.

Check out OWC, or look for RAM from Corsair / Kingston /Crucial etc that is clearly specified as Mac compatible.
Cheers

Rod

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Answer 2

trickysean Author

Level 1

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Jul 15, 2010 4:21 PM in response to Rod Hagen

It's seated in all the way. Weird that its not in that list, I checked it out myself. This is the second set or ram I have purchased for this computer, the first set was DOA and I had to return it. What should have been an easy upgrade is becoming a hassle!

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Answer 3

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Jul 15, 2010 8:36 PM in response to trickysean

For what its worth I have Corsair "MacRam" in my own "Santa Rosa" MBP. Haven't had any trouble with it at all.

Cheers

Rod

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