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Sandpipa

Q: Lower Memory Slot Failure - Ongoing Saga - Can anyone advise, please?

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone would be kind enough to advise - I would be extremely grateful for any help.

I've had my PowerBook since 2003 and had no problems with it whatsoever until a couple of months ago, when it began to run extremely slowly and erratically.

After contacting and paying for Apple service, they advised me to carry out a fresh reinstall of Tiger.

Having done so, I realised I had lost many of the updates I'd acquired along the way, including iWeb (and a complete website).

I was then informed by Apple service that these were no longer available for Tiger, and that the only way I could get them back would be by installing Leopard.

As I hadn't been warned of this beforehand, I was offered a free copy of Leopard (very reasonable, I thought - although in fact I've actually been sent the wrong disc, but that's another issue).

However to install Leopard, I needed 2Gb of memory, as opposed to the 256Mb my computer had originally. Ok, I thought, and bought 2 x 1GB memory cards.

I hit the big snag on trying to install them. Although my computer has only ever displayed the fact that it has 256Mb of memory, it did in fact contain 2 x 256Mb cards - i.e, only one slot has ever worked.

Experimenting with the new cards showed that this is the lower memory slot, and having read much on the issue I now realise this was an extremely common fault with the 15" PowerBook at the time.

My issue is, what can I do now? Two months and a considerable amount of expense on, I am left with a computer far more limited than it was originally, thanks to a manufacturing fault and ineffectual support from Apple.

I am sure other people must have had similar situations - if anyone can offer any thoughts at all on how to proceed, I would be most grateful.

As I have recently been made redundant, upgrading the model or expensive motherboard replacements arenn't even a vague possibility at the moment - and nor should they be; the computer's always been fine for my requirements, and still would be if both memory slots were working.

Thank you very much if you've taken the trouble to read this far!

Sandpipa.

Powerbook G4 15", Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Sep 25, 2010 5:53 AM

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Q: Lower Memory Slot Failure - Ongoing Saga - Can anyone advise, please?

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  • by Braby,

    Braby Braby Sep 25, 2010 6:52 AM in response to Sandpipa
    Level 4 (1,795 points)
    Sep 25, 2010 6:52 AM in response to Sandpipa
    A sad story! I'm not sure all your problems can be solved with a wave of the wand but on the other hand things may not be as bad as you fear. Firstly I don't believe you need 2Gb of RAM to run Leopard; as far as I know the minimum spec is 512Mb. Certainly my old 1.25GHz PowerBook is running Leopard with 1.25 Gb of memory installed, so with only one functioning memory slot and a 1Gb stick you should be OK no matter which version of OSX you choose. I would be somewhat suspicious of the original diagnosis by the way -having only 256Mb of functioning RAM would certainly seriously affect your computer's performance. If you prefer to stick with 10.4 I would suggest using Software Update as may times as necessary to get all the necessary downloads. After that you can have a look at Version Tracker and OldApps.com to see if you can track down anything you're still missing. Good Luck.

    Message was edited by: Braby
  • by BGreg,

    BGreg BGreg Sep 25, 2010 7:20 AM in response to Sandpipa
    Level 6 (17,522 points)
    Sep 25, 2010 7:20 AM in response to Sandpipa
    The least cost, easiest thing to do is to put the 1GB memory in the working slot, and use the system with 1GB of memory. Leopard does not need 2GB to function. You can see from the requirements listed at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759 that 512MB is the minimum, and 1GB will certainly run a little better.

    If you have your original OS X 10.4 Tiger disks, you could reinstall that too, if you want, but at this point it may be easier to stick with Leopard. Make sure you have Leopard 10.5.8 installed, and have run software update after that to ensure you have any applicable updates. Last step in the upgrade process ... doesn't hurt to repair permissions using Disk Utility, on the hard drive in applications/utilities. This will take awhile, longer than under Tiger.
  • by Sandpipa,

    Sandpipa Sandpipa Sep 25, 2010 8:46 AM in response to Sandpipa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 25, 2010 8:46 AM in response to Sandpipa
    Braby and BGreg,

    Thanks so much for your replies. As I'm sure you could tell, I'm no computer whizz! It was Apple's own service guy (the one whose advice I've been following for weeks - when I can get him...) who told me I definitely needed 2GB of RAM to run Leopard, and I've seen this elsewhere, so thank you for pointing out that this isn't the case!

    So now I just need to get me to send the right Leopard disc and perhaps I'll be in with a shot...

    Thanks again,

    Sandpipa.
  • by J A Paton,

    J A Paton J A Paton Oct 18, 2010 2:13 AM in response to Sandpipa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 18, 2010 2:13 AM in response to Sandpipa
    I have a lower slot memory failure too. Apparently, this fault was recognised by Apple and some fortunate people had their computers fixed free of charge, even while out of warranty - see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2164
    Unfortunately, my machine broke after this scheme ended, and so I now have to limp along with 1 GB of RAM in an aging machine. I simply cannot afford another machine at this point in time.
    It would be wonderful if Apple, having recognised a problem in some of the machines would extend the same level of kindness to those of us, who for some reason or other did not qualify under their now terminated program.
    This isn't going to happen, I know, so I have now bought a replacement logic board. How difficult is it to fit?
    Is it a job that should only be left to the experts? How difficult is it to create an anti-static environment?
  • by Braby,

    Braby Braby Oct 18, 2010 2:28 AM in response to J A Paton
    Level 4 (1,795 points)
    Oct 18, 2010 2:28 AM in response to J A Paton
    I've recently replaced the logic board on my old PowerBook. It's not a stroll in the park but equally not as difficult as I feared. I used ifixit's guide:
    http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-PowerBook-G4-Aluminum-15-Inch-1-1- 5-GHz-Logic-Board/231/1
    There's also a video version from PowerBook Medic:
    http://www.powerbookmedic.com/mac-repair.php
    Have a look through them and see how you feel about it.
    If you are worried about static by all means get an ant-static mat and wristband - personally I didn't bother - just remember to touch something metal before you start and again if you've been walking about building up static.
    It's a demanding job but rewarding if it comes off!
    Good luck.
  • by J A Paton,

    J A Paton J A Paton Oct 18, 2010 6:10 AM in response to Braby
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 18, 2010 6:10 AM in response to Braby
    Braby,
    many thanks for the links and the encouragement!
    Best regards,
    Tony.
  • by kmac1036,

    kmac1036 kmac1036 Oct 22, 2010 11:37 AM in response to Sandpipa
    Level 4 (2,360 points)
    Oct 22, 2010 11:37 AM in response to Sandpipa
    yea it's getting pretty hard to justify the cost of repair on these when so much software is now intel only & parts are getting too high. last time i looked,a logic for these was 400-600. you can buy a used intel for that.
  • by J A Paton,

    J A Paton J A Paton Oct 22, 2010 2:50 PM in response to kmac1036
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 22, 2010 2:50 PM in response to kmac1036
    You can pick up a used logic board for less with a three month warranty for around $150 or less, but if the fault lies in the product itself, it's a bit of a leap of faith! Who's to say the problem isn't going to recur in the replacement board. Rather than buy a new equivalent Macbook Pro I want to double the RAM of my 1 slot G4, I hope it works, and keeps working until I am in a position to replace it.
  • by LoveLA,

    LoveLA LoveLA Nov 21, 2010 11:46 AM in response to Sandpipa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 21, 2010 11:46 AM in response to Sandpipa
    I got my first Apple computer over 20 years ago. It was an Apple IIe. I loved it because it was reliable and easy to use. I have been a fan and loyal Apple customer since then. I went on to to get a Mac SE, SE 30, iMac, Powerbook G4, and a second iMac. Those were just the computers. I also have had an ipod shuffle, ipod nano, iPhone 2g, iPhone 3gs, and iPhone 4g, Airport Extreme, and Time Capsule. Not to mention all the software and mobile me account I have paid for.
    I have been a loyal Apple customer for many years. I have remained a customer because the product us superior and customer service is excellent. I typically have not had issues with reliability of the products I buy, but with my current Powerbook G4 it has a chronic,persistent problem. The logic board in my computer has needed replacing 4 times in the last 2 years. Everything with this computer has been great, except the logic board issue. What I really appreciate with Apple is they always stand by there products and take care of repairs in a timely and responsible manner. In looking at various different forums, including Apple forums, it seems other have had the same issue with this model. The lower ram slot is not recognized, which I am told by Apple is a logic board failure. My computer was out of warranty when the problem occurred the first time. Apple generously repaired the logic board and display for a flat fee of about $300. I do understand that just the logic board costs around $1,000 to purchase separately. Unfortunately the issue repeated 3 more times and my 2005 Powerbook G4 has gone thru it's fifth logic board. At what point does it seem clear that the logic board is a lemon?
    I went to the Apple store and spoke to the tech and was told the only thing they could do would be to offer the flat rate repair of $300. I will probably end up doing that if i cant get resolution any other way. I asked if he could do anything else and was told no, that all I could do would be to contact Apple Corporate and plead my case.
    I spoke to someone named Chris and then his supervisor Terry today. She said that because the computer is so old and the last repair was over a year ago Apple would not be willing to repair my computer at no charge. She referred me to customer relations. I want to be clear that the easiest thing to do would have been just to pay the $300 and be done with it. Maybe? My concern is that Apple is not taking responsibility for a chronic, persistent problem with it's hardware and why I should pay again for a problem that is clearly the result of faulty parts. Obviously the computer is out of warranty, but I am hoping Apple will do what it takes to keep a 20 year plus customer.