iMac keeps crashing after installing and running new Crucial 32GB (16 x 2) ram after about a week

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iMac keeps crashing after installing and running new Crucial 32GB (16 x 2) ram after about a week

I guess my question is whether I can be confident that a 'failing' ram is responsible for the persistent crashes. It also sounds kinda of funny because it produces the sound of a big wave before the screen goes blank. It always does a restart and also creates a report for Apple. The other thing I notice is that sometimes the pointer can get sluggish and the webpage would hang before it crashes. No such problem with the 8gb ram from Apple at all. I also tried running the memtest86 but the program got stuck in the 'Getting memory controller detail' line. Tested on both the Apple ram and the Crucial ram and both stopped at that line so unable to say whether the crucial ram is the source of my problem.

Posted on Jan 11, 2021 4:33 AM

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Answer 1

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thimfromnorth perth Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 22, 2021 8:03 PM in response to KiltedTim

Hi all Thanks very much for your suggestions. I have the 2020 iMac 27". I ran Apple Diagnostic and it was not reporting any fault with the Ram. I also ran Memtest86 and the program stopped running when it was trying to get some information on the memory controller which made me stopped using it. I decided to leave the original 8 Gb ram in and ran them with just one of the ram module (16gb). The iMac recognised 24Gb (4 x 4 x 16) of ram but running at a much slower speed (single channel on the 16Gb module) . I ran the module for a day without any hint of a problem. I changed the ram over to the other 16Gb ram the next day and it started crashing. I have therefore managed to isolate the 'offending' ram. It will now be replaced by the supplier. Perhaps it is not the most conventional way of getting the answer but it worked for me and I hope others can also try this method to see it it works. It certainly did for me. Thanks again.

Kind regards

Thim

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Answer 2

Ronasara

Level 6

15,531 points

Jan 13, 2021 10:04 AM in response to thimfromnorth perth

I agree that the RAM is likely causing this problem. That said, you need to do several steps to identify and isolate specifically what is going on. I suggest the following steps:

Open About This Mac, located under the Apple Logo. Click on the Memory button. The next window (which is very useful information) will show you which RAM modules are being recognized. All of them should be shown.
Remove the RAM you purchased and confirm that the computer runs correctly with only the original Apple RAM. If not, then you have a different issue going on.
Double check and carefully reconfirm that you have indeed purchased the correct RAM for your computer. You can do this on the crucial.com web site. This is critical. The wrong RAM will cause big problems. (I am thinking that this may indeed be the issue.)
I am assuming that you bought and installed two matching RAM cards. They should be installed in pairs. Reinstall them and confirm that they are properly seated. Also check to ensure that their installation slots are clean. This is very important.
It the problems reappear after reinstalling the new RAM, I would return it to crucial for replacements. They will do so.
If you then install the replacement RAM and experience problems again, then the problem is clearly due to something else going on and further steps will have to be followed to identify it.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

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Answer 3

Jan 13, 2021 6:10 AM in response to thimfromnorth perth

Hi thimfromnorth perth,

Thanks for coming to Apple Support Communities for help today with your iMac that is crashing after installing new RAM. It sounds like you want to know if the RAM is the issue.

If the iMac doesn't behave this way with the old RAM, it does seem likely.

You can try running Apple Diagnostics to see if you get an error code: Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac and you can find a list of the codes here: Apple Diagnostics reference codes. Codes for the onboard memory and memory module are referenced there.

Have a fantastic day!

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Answer 4

KiltedTim

Level 10

226,974 points

Jan 13, 2021 10:08 AM in response to thimfromnorth perth

What model iMac do you have?

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iMac keeps crashing after installing and running new Crucial 32GB (16 x 2) ram after about a week

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