After add memory make the imac very slow, anyone can help?

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Level 1

8 points

After add memory make the imac very slow, anyone can help?

Dear All,

I have a iMac 27" (Late 2010 model) with 4gb 3.2GHz i3 running on latest 10.6.7. It is running prefect and i love it, however, it is suffer from short of memory as sometime i run parallel desktop therefore decide to 4g more.

I have look for many info and as many people suggest, added 4g Samsung SO-Dimm DDR3 1333, the nightmare start from there.

Bank 0 Dimm 0 2g (Original)

Bank 1 Dimm 0 2g (Original)

Bank 0 Dimm 1 4g (New)

Bank 1 Dimm 1 None

It is fine to install the ram, and everything look fine at first, Mac can locate the ram and even it fail/slow to response at first boot, after reboot it look fine.

However, i find it is sometime running really really slow and even not response for a few second to even a minute, the HDD seem keep running for every few second, sound like it is reading/writing something.... and this kind of sudden hang keep happen every minute or two....

I start to search for the problem, and make a disk utility check, verify the HDD and it say everything is fine for the HDD. Then i have run a boot up hardware check and it report everything is fine including both HDD and ram.

After that, i use Onyx to try to remove all sort of cache, it look better for a while but the situation happen again after awhile.....

I am really headache after the situation happen for few day and after i have try every method i can find, is there anyone have idea what's wrong with my Mac? Please help!!!!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on May 16, 2011 8:17 AM

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Answer 1

babowa

Level 9

78,562 points

May 16, 2011 8:26 AM in response to anguslkc

What brand did you install? iMacs are very finicky and need quality RAM; usually Crucial or OWC (macsales.com) are recommended here.

So, first test: does the Mac behave normally without the new RAM? If yes, then it is the RAM. Return it and buy from above source.

Also, take a look at this article:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3918

This may or may not apply to you; I would suggest that you get 2 x 4 GB or, if you only want four, get 2 x 2 GB (instead of 1 x 4 GB) so both bottom slots are occupied.

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Answer 2

anguslkc Author

Level 1

8 points

May 16, 2011 8:41 AM in response to babowa

Thanks for your help babowa.

I have check with many forum and examine my iMac ram, it is using Samsung SO-Dimm 1333 so i decide add the same brand as well.

I have also read the article you provided before i install any stuff, but that sound nothing really related on installation.

One thing puzzle me, is about the memory bank installed, should it be the same size of memory module need to install in the same Bank or different Bank? As my Imac originally has 4g which install on different bank as i have point out:-

Bank 0 Dimm 0 2g (Original) This is upper left if my IPS panel face down

Bank 1 Dimm 0 2g (Original) This is upper right

Bank 0 Dimm 1 4g (New) This is lower left

Bank 1 Dimm 1 None

By the way, i will try to take it out to see how it go, thanks for your suggestion.

Message was edited by: anguslkc

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,562 points

May 16, 2011 8:47 AM in response to anguslkc

Well, even though it is Samsung (which is good), it could be a defective module. However, in the article I linked to, there is mention that some computers will not start if there is only one module in the bottom two slots. I know if mentions i5 and i7, but I've read here that is has happened to i3's as well.

So, a second test would be: take out both original RAM. Put new Samsung RAM in one top slot. Put original RAM in both bottom slots.

But, even if that works, from what I have learned here, I still recommend having RAM in both bottom slots.

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,452 points

May 16, 2011 8:54 AM in response to babowa

It could also not be well seated, one common problem is some users don't push hard installing DIMMs out of fear of damaging the machine and/or DIMM. Try reseating them and use both thumbs to push with some force until the DIMM click in.

Roger

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Answer 5

anguslkc Author

Level 1

8 points

May 16, 2011 9:28 AM in response to anguslkc

Thanks all for your reply.

I have try take out the ram, re-insert the new 4g in the neighbour slot (and i pretty sure i am really installed it fine with click i can feel).

After boot up, situation seem still the same. After login to the desktop pop up, take 4-5 minute (which usually less than 30 second).

I will try to do the test babowa you suggest to see how it go and post the result here.

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Answer 6

anguslkc Author

Level 1

8 points

May 16, 2011 7:32 PM in response to anguslkc

I have do the test babowa suggested, the situation is the same.

I have also take out the new memory, the situation is the same, so it sound not related.

I have do a test to use guest account login to try isolate the problem if it is relate to my account startup related issue only, however, the guest a/c also seem very slow and no response for a minute or two.

I have reboot the machine and use the disk utility to repair disk in single user mode, it report everything is fine no repair can/has done.

The case is, after boot up, the HDD sound keep read/write/seek something every few second, then the machine will become hang for a few seconds to minutes, and it keep happen on and on few minute or two, render it almost unusable.

Anyone has any idea? i am really no idea what's wrong with it. Will it be related to some application issue? Anyway i can check ?

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Answer 7

babowa

Level 9

78,562 points

May 16, 2011 8:16 PM in response to anguslkc

Well, since you have tested everything possible with the RAM, I am not sure what to suggest next except to call Apple or make an appointment at your nearest Genius bar. Unless someone else has another idea - you are covered by warranty, so I would take advantage of it.

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Answer 8

anguslkc Author

Level 1

8 points

May 16, 2011 8:46 PM in response to anguslkc

Thanks for your advice. However, in Hong Kong there is no Apple Store (i am waiting) or Genius bar, make a support call seem complicated. I will try for it anyway.

BTW, just for anyone info, I have also restore the PRAM & NVRAM, it didn't help.

Overall, as there is nothing find in hardware RAM & HDD check, it seem not hardware related.

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Answer 9

May 16, 2011 10:36 PM in response to anguslkc

Hello

Try to start up from your original system dvd - hold "D" key on keybord - to launch diagnostic

see if any error report ?

HTH

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Answer 10

anguslkc Author

Level 1

8 points

May 17, 2011 12:45 AM in response to durignieux pierre

I have done that, everything is fine.

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Answer 11

anguslkc Author

Level 1

8 points

May 22, 2011 9:29 AM in response to anguslkc

ihave find some error in console, any suggestion?

23/05/2011 12:09:05 AM com.apple.launchd[1] *** launchd[1] has started up. ***

23/05/2011 12:09:28 AM com.apple.SystemStarter[23] Starting HP Trap Monitor

23/05/2011 12:09:28 AM com.apple.SystemStarter[23] bootbeep:

23/05/2011 12:09:28 AM com.apple.SystemStarter[23] Unavailable PRAM input/output service

23/05/2011 12:09:30 AM com.apple.WindowServer[68] Mon May 23 00:09:30 Lee-Anguss-iMac.local WindowServer[68] <Error>: kCGErrorFailure: Set a breakpoint @ CGErrorBreakpoint() to catch errors as they are logged.

23/05/2011 12:10:24 AM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[104] (com.apple.ReportCrash) Falling back to default Mach exception handler. Could not find: com.apple.ReportCrash.Self

23/05/2011 12:11:24 AM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[104] (com.apple.Kerberos.renew.plist[122]) Exited with exit code: 1

23/05/2011 12:11:27 AM com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[104] (com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-anguslkc@me.com-SharedServices[129]) Exited with exit code: 1

23/05/2011 12:11:42 AM [0x0-0xf00f].com.hp.HPEventHandler[144] objc[144]: Class BulkPMLOperationHelper is implemented in both /Library/Printers/hp/hpio/HPEventHandler.app/Contents/MacOS/HPEventHandler and /Library/Printers/hp/Utilities/HPPU Plugins/ScanTasksManager.task/Contents/Plugins/ScanTasksDeviceInterface.plugin/ Contents/MacOS/ScanTasksDeviceInterface. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.

I have try removed HP printer driver but it look like the same, so i install it back.

I have try restore the PRAM using Control - Option - P - R, it also the same situation.

The situation is my iMac is look everything fine, but boot and running extremely slow, every minute it will become no response for 30 second.... the HDD seem is keep running something but activity monitor see nothing.... i am getting mad with this...

Anyone has any idea?

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Answer 12

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,452 points

May 22, 2011 9:32 AM in response to anguslkc

Disconnect all peripheral devices and the do a SMC reset and test peripherals still disconnected.

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Answer 13

babowa

Level 9

78,562 points

May 22, 2011 9:35 AM in response to anguslkc

Aside from the possibility that the Mac may have with only one RAM module installed, how much free space do you have on your hard drive?

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Answer 14

anguslkc Author

Level 1

8 points

May 22, 2011 6:25 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks your advice, i will try SMC reset.

It is a 1t HDD, i still have over 250g there, however, when the problem start appear, i only have around 80g...

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Answer 15

babowa

Level 9

78,562 points

May 22, 2011 6:29 PM in response to anguslkc

You need to have a minimum of 10 - 15%of your total capacity free and empty at all times for the OS to operate properly. In your case, that would mean a minimum of 100 GB free at all times. So, do you now have 80 or 250 GB free?

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