System Profiler gives incorrect info

Question

Level 1

38 points

System Profiler gives incorrect info

About this Mac shows 2Gb memory, Originally System Profiler showed 512Mb Ram in 4 slots, I have added 2X1GB additional memory but it isn't recognised, and then I realised the memory location of the original 4X512 Mb was not correctly shown in the Profiler, they had been fitted all in the same riser but not displayed that way. When adding the 2X1Gb sticks I redistributed the memory so that they were in pairs (1 in each riser) but System profiler shows no change from the original setting and Refresh has no apparent effect. Photoshop says I only have 2Gb memory. I haven't run into any problems yet but is there any other way of checking what memory is available or to get system profiler working correctly? As far as I can tell all other reports by System Profiler are correct or do I have a memory problem?

Posted on Jan 19, 2012 5:32 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Ricks-

Level 6

11,515 points

Jan 19, 2012 7:44 PM in response to Roy Bradshaw

Possible that the programming on the chips, which is what Profiler is reading, is bad, incorrectly done or corrupted. And yes, you could have bad memory device(s) in there. Best way to test is install just the 4 x 512 in correct locations - you don't say which model MacPro, so cannot help where that might be. Test those, then take them out and try the pair of 1GB modules only. Simplifying your testing can make it easier to tell what is happening.

Rick

Reply

Answer 2

X423424X

Level 6

14,271 points

Jan 19, 2012 8:00 PM in response to Roy Bradshaw

If you specify your mac pro's model (year) I can post a diagram of the correct dimm layout for your model.

Reply

Answer 3

Roy Bradshaw Author

Level 1

38 points

Jan 20, 2012 2:48 AM in response to X423424X

Thanks very much for setting me off in the right direction. I had just bought this used Mac Pro 1.1 which had 4X512 Mb sticks. System Profiler appeared to show the current positioning of them which Riser A slots 1&2 and 3&4. I thought this was incorrect and when I added the new 2X1 Gb sticks I made the positioning Riser A 1 - 1GB, 2- 512Mb, 3- 512 Mb, and the same for Riser B but system profiler showed no change to the 4x512Mb in slots 1, 2, 3, and 4 which was not the case.. In the process of testing and rearranging the memory I realised the positioning should have been Riser A 1&2 1GB, 3&4 512Mb, Riser B 1&2 512Mb. Hoping I had now got it right and System Profiler was now showing 4GB in the correct manner, as I replaced the side I noticed for the first time that the layout for memory was printed on the side. I must learn to be more observant.

Thanks again for without your input I probably wouldn't have searched more diligently.

Reply

Answer 4

Roy Bradshaw Author

Level 1

38 points

Jan 20, 2012 2:57 AM in response to Roy Bradshaw

Just had another thought. Should I use the 2X1Gb sticks first followed by the 4X512Mb sticks or vice versa, or does it not matter?

Thanks

Reply

Answer 5

X423424X

Level 6

14,271 points

Jan 20, 2012 3:06 AM in response to Roy Bradshaw

Here's the layout chart for the early mac pro. I don't believe the grouping order matters so long as it follow the chart.

Reply

Answer 6

Ricks-

Level 6

11,515 points

Jan 20, 2012 8:21 AM in response to Roy Bradshaw

Just had another thought. Should I use the 2X1Gb sticks first followed by the 4X512Mb sticks or vice versa, or does it not matter?

The way you have it is how I would do it with largest modules in top inside slots. Riser A, slot 1 and slot 2 for the 1 GB modules.

Glad you got it running right. Enjoy.

Rick

Reply