Cleaning RAM Chips

I found this

"The eraser itself will not damage the RAM, however the rubbings from said eraser WILL! So I suggest rubbing alcohol, and Q-tips to clean them. Then blow the chips off with a can of air after they dry (gets any lint off them)."

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/253501-30-cleaning-memory-eraser-chips

Brian Obrar wrote:

the ram is from macsales.com and is compatible for macbook pro mid 2009, so it is not the quality.

Compatible != Quality. Or, in long hand, "compatible" is not the same thing as "good quality". And even with high quality chips, you do get the occasional dud -- it's the nature of the beast.

Now, in your case, cleaning the contacts would be just about the last thing I'd worry about. Upon startup, the Mac performs a basic RAM test; the startup chime is a signal that this test has been passed. If your Mac chimes and boots and loads the system, it's highly unlikely there's any problem with the contacts.

The symptoms you're reporting could be caused by a bad chip; but they could have other causes, including the new hard disk -- which you didn't mention in your OP.

What you should do at this point is what you should have done in the first place as soon as you installed the new RAM and disk: make sure you have a good, up-to-date backup, then run the Apple Hardware Test tool, as described in HT1509, and perform -- repeatedly, for several hours -- the extended tests. If it gives your system a clean bill of health, you could look at TechTool, which is even more thorough, but I would forget about hardware issues and start looking for software problems.

Brian Obrar wrote:

i dont get it, what should i do?

My friend, looking back over this thread I see you've received at least three different suggestions, all appropriate.

(1) Csound1 told you to

Boot into safe mode and see if it still crashes.

and gave you a link to instructions.

(2) Shootist007 told you to put the original RAM back in and

see if the anomalies go away

(3) I told you to

run the Apple Hardware Test tool

and gave you a link to instructions.

And you still stand there and ask what you should do. Your other name wouldn't happen to be Hamlet of Denmark, now, would it?

Some have said that cleaning the RAM card contacts with a pencil eraser can help ensure that they are as clean as they should be. Of course, if you do this, be sure to clean off the erase shavings before reinstalling the memory.

If the problem is dirty contact a wipe with a towel won't fix it. You need some type of cleaning solution to clean off whatever is on them.

But the RAM slot contacts really gouge into the contacts on the RAM modules. So I doubt your problem is dirty RAM contacts.

More then likely you got some bad RAM. You still have the originals, right? If so put them back in and see if the anomalies go away. If they do then suspect the RAM as not up to specs.

I suggest you get your RAM from either Crucial.com or Kingston. I don't work for either but I do use both those brands without problems.

Shootist007 wrote:

So I doubt your problem is dirty RAM contacts.

More then likely you got some bad RAM.

I second that. You might need cleaning the contacts when dealing with old or used hardware, especially if kept in industrial environments; and you'd use a specialised electric contact cleaning fluid (although >75% isopropylic or 'rubbing' alcohol would do in a pinch). But it's highly unlikely to be required if you upgraded your MBP with new RAM chips from a reputable vendor. A defective chip is much more likely. Keep in mind that MBPs have fairly stringent requirements; a chip may pass a simple test but may start showing defects after repeated tests or under intense use.

Macsales is just a company that buys there supplies from other manufacturers. They don't make the RAM. They buy from a supplier. I don't think they test it either.

this would not be the first time and you are not the first person that got bad memory. It happens. Call them and get a RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) and send it back.

Brian Obrar wrote:

Looking for software probelms? like what? fresh install of both Mac os 10.6.8 and Windows 7. both up2date and new HD. i dont get it, what should i do?

Have put the original RAM back in the computer?

If you haven't do that first.

Once that is done do you still have problems?

If not then the RAM need to be sent back to where you bought it. It is NOT up to specs.

Until you change out the RAM with modules you know work you can't do any other diagnostics.

when i try to do an apple hardware test it never loads! tried to retstart with holding d, tried to press after the tone, tried to press and then click power and i tried ALL! it just logs in no matter what! i even tried to go to the EFI or whatever by cmd+alt-o-f and still? whats the issue? i

After inserting the DVD containing the AHT (on the original OS X disks that came with your system. Says 'AHT Version x.x' in small print on the DVD label), when you reboot, hold the alt/option key down. That will bring up a list of bootable volumes, including the AHT on the OS X DVD you inserted. When prompted, run the extended test.

How about not cleaning the Ram and spending the time looking for the problem.

Boot into safe mode and see if it still crashes.