Why does the memory card with exact specs not snap into a Late 2009 iMac 10,1 Model A1311?

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Level 2

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Why does the memory card with exact specs not snap into a Late 2009 iMac 10,1 Model A1311?

I wanted to max out the memory on this iMac but I can't get the cards to snap, click in no matter how I try!

I also tried to put back in the old memory cards that were in before. They all don’t snap in! (Yes I have installed memory on different Macs before and I am good at this) Anybody that might have had trouble snapping, clicking in memory cards into Late 2009 iMacs?

Any idea what to do to get the memory installed correctly? Thank you for your time and patience!

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Nov 13, 2021 4:06 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

den.thed

Level 10

82,180 points

Nov 13, 2021 6:49 PM in response to Walter Wedler

Sounds like,

you have the modules on the wrong side of the pull tabs or
you have the modules upside down and the notches are not lining up.

go to the Late 2009 section at > https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191

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Answer 2

Walter Wedler Author

Level 2

285 points

Nov 13, 2021 7:46 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thank you rkaufmann87

The brand of the memory could not be the problem, because when I try to return the one I just took out it also does not snap, click in putting it back in exactly the way I took it out!!

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Answer 3

Jack-19

Level 8

46,008 points

Nov 13, 2021 7:57 PM in response to Walter Wedler

Walter Wedler wrote:

Thank you rkaufmann87

The brand of the memory could not be the problem, because when I try to return the one I just took out it also does not snap, click in putting it back in exactly the way I took it out!!

What brand is it though?

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Answer 4

Walter Wedler Author

Level 2

285 points

Nov 13, 2021 8:06 PM in response to den.thed

Thank you den.thed I am sure I lined up the card exactly the way the old one came out, notches lined up right side up and on the right side of the pull tab. Following the instructions for my iMac model of the link you are listing! May be the sockets where the cards should plug in have shifted?

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Answer 5

Walter Wedler Author

Level 2

285 points

Nov 14, 2021 1:12 PM in response to den.thed

Hi den.thed

Being able to look inside the memory housing I can see the card notches are not lining up with the the socket notches! The card notches are about 3 millimeters off so the card can not plug in. All four sockets are off that much. So the sockets have shifted by about 3mm to the left. If those sockets are on the motherboard maybe the motherboard has shifted. Since I can't get the cards I removed back as well this could be the only reason. I tried to nudge the card over to line up but that does not work! I guess major tear-down is indicated? Can I run this iMac without memory in it via Target disk mode from my Mac Pro?Thank you for your time and patience!

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Answer 6

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,706 points

Nov 13, 2021 5:22 PM in response to Walter Wedler

Did you buy from either crucial.com or Macsales.com, if not return the RAM and buy from one or the other.

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Answer 7

den.thed

Level 10

82,180 points

Nov 13, 2021 8:16 PM in response to Walter Wedler

You're welcome.

Use a small flashlight and look into the slots. You should be able to see the pin connecters in each slot, if the pull tabs are in the right position.

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