Finding the correct RAM

Question

Level 1

0 points

Finding the correct RAM

hello, I recently purchased 512mb of RAM only to find out it wasn't compatible with my system. I believe i've found the correct specifications but the online store I had previously ordered from doesn't carry it and I was unable to find any in the Mac Store seeing as how it's an older system. If anyone could help me find a place where I could purchase the correct type of ram or at least tell me what it uses? I would really appreciate it, i'm very worried about ordering the wrong kind so if anyone knows of any reliable stores that carry it please let me know. Just so theres no mistakes here is some information about my computer, i'm not 100% sure sbout which information is useful so here it is.
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ABOUT THIS MAC:
Processor: 500 MHz PowerPC G3
Memory: 320 MB SDRAM
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Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: iMac
Machine Model: PowerMac2,2
CPU Type: PowerPC 750 (83.2)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 500 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 320 MB
Bus Speed: 100 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.1.7f4
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_____________________________
Memory:
DIMM0/J13:

Size: 256 MB
Type: SDRAM
Speed: PC100-2225
Status: OK

DIMM1/J14:

Size: 64 MB
Type: SDRAM
Speed: PC100-2225
Status: OK

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ST320413A:

Capacity: 19.08 GB
Model: ST320413A
Revision: 3.11

Removable Media: No
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk0
Protocol: ATA
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal
OS9 Drivers: Yes
S.M.A.R.T. status: Not Supported
Volumes:

Macintosh HD:
Capacity: 19.08 GB
Available: 10.78 GB
Writable: Yes
File System: Journaled HFS+
BSD Name: disk0s5
Mount Point: /
______________________________
______________________________

Memory:
DIMM0/J13:

Size: 256 MB
Type: SDRAM
Speed: PC100-2225
Status: OK

DIMM1/J14:

Size: 64 MB
Type: SDRAM
Speed: PC100-2225
Status: OK

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____________________________
Basically what it is: (I believe it's slightly different)
http://www.apple-history.com/?page=gallery&model=imac2000&performa=off&sort=date &order=ASC

Thanks in advance, hopeufully it's not too much of a problem.

PowerPC G3, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Jan 17, 2006 9:26 PM

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Answer 1

Strider

Level 6

14,600 points

Jan 17, 2006 9:35 PM in response to boxybrown

thes best bet is to buy from a reputable dealer who has a website that will guide you to exact ram you need. In actual fact, all slot loading iMacs (350-700 mhz) like yours take the same kind of ram: standard PC100 or PC133 that is backwards compatible to PC100. check out ramseeker.com for prices or check out crucial.com whcih has a great reputation around here.

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Answer 2

boxybrown Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 17, 2006 11:31 PM in response to boxybrown

Crucial was the store i originally went to, I managed to find the ram that I purchased

http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.asp?imodule=CT64M72S4R8E&WSMD=CT64M72S4R8 E&WSPN=CT64M72S4R8E

This is pc100 ram, but my mac refused to start with it. Any suggestions?

I was thinking about maybe buying one of these, would these be compatible? And on a side note I saw a 1gig stick for a good price. Would my imac be able to handle 1256ram? I tried to find that out in the system profiler but it didn't mention the maximum compacity.

http://www.memorysuppliers.com/25pc8ns168pi.html

http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=8D1F1C53A5CA7304&cpe=AFC-2D4 S68503543

http://www.omnitechnologies.biz/cgi-bin/catalog/cp-app.cgi?affl=B&pg=prod&ref=AP LIMACG3SL1GBU100O&cat=2&catstr=

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Answer 3

Ptown

Level 2

165 points

Jan 18, 2006 1:18 PM in response to boxybrown

I used to own an indigo 500mhz iMac and no it will not take a 1gig stick of memory but it will take two 512mb pc133 sticks of memory, though I'm not sure if it has to be backward compatible to pc100.

I bought my two 512 sticks from circuit city some years ago but now they dont even sell any memory from this particular company that I cant remember the name of ?? its on the tip of my tongue but i just cant remember, but it did work in my indidgo 500mhz iMac.

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Answer 4

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Jan 18, 2006 1:20 PM in response to boxybrown

If you go through crucial's configuration tool, it recommends 2 different devices:

device 1 (CT223786) which costs $94.08

device 2 (CT260476) which costs $94.08

Both of these devices are $45 cheaper than the one that you selected.

The maximum RAM that your iMac can handle is 1 GB (2 - 512 MB DIMMs).

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Answer 5

Jan 18, 2006 5:49 PM in response to boxybrown

I'm having the same problem upgrading the RAM in my mother-in-law's iMac G3 400 Ruby, which is running off of it's original 64 MB of RAM. I bought what I thought was the right RAM for it (PC100, 168-pin DIMM, SDRAM, 3.3V), but after I install it and try to power the machine on, I do not hear the chime, but the power light comes on, and it sounds like the hard drive tries to spin up for a second before nothing else happens.

You guys have been a priceless font of info; can someone lend a guiding hand? Thanks for any help.

iMac G3 400 (Early 2001) Mac OS X (10.1.x) also trying to update the OS to 10.3, but the machine won't boot from the install CD...

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Answer 6

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Jan 18, 2006 7:10 PM in response to prisoner2k

prisoner2k, Welcome to the discussion area!

I can't recommend this enough... use a source that is Mac knowledgeable and use the RAM that they recommend.

The Mac and OS X have tighter RAM requirements than many PC100 devices. For a while it seemed that every Mac OS upgrade caused a rash of RAM being returned to vendors with lifetime guarantees.

Therefore... picking a device at random may or may not work.

In your situation it sounds like the RAM is not compatible or is seated incorrectly.

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Answer 7

boxybrown Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 19, 2006 5:44 AM in response to prisoner2k

I'm getting the exact same thing on the start-up. Unless i'm mistaken, our computers use similar RAM or even the same kind but for whatever reason they're listed as different products (according to them anyway), I went through the crucial memory advisor for you and this is what came up for the g3-400 line.
I'm going to return my original RAM and purchase one of the ones duane listed. If you decide to wait i'll try to come back and give you an update on how it went. I can't guarantee this is the correct product but it says it work's for your model.

http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=08942A1FA5CA7304&WSMD=iMac+% 28G3%2D400%29&WSPN=CT260475

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Answer 8

Jan 19, 2006 7:23 PM in response to boxybrown

Wow! Thanks for the replies, gang!

I contacted the vendor I bought the RAM from, and they're offering to let me exchange the stick I bought for the right one, which they identified for me. They're asking for a 20% restock fee, and I'll have to pay to UPS it back to them, but I only paid $29.00 for the first stick, and the replacement is $56, so I suppose it's not such a bad thing.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!

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