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upgrading RAM will not boot

My iMac (`1997) has 1 GB 667 Hz DDR2 SDRAM. I desire to install 4 GB to run Lion. I purchased 2 X 2GB chips. After installation the computer would not boot. I re-installed the 1 GB and it worked fine. I tried the 2 GB chips in different slots and combinations, but the machine would not boot. Black screen. I re-installed the 1 GB chip and it works fine.


I thought the memory chips were universal as long as they were 667 HZ and the same physical size.


What's up??

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Mar 5, 2012 5:24 AM

Reply
27 replies

Mar 5, 2012 7:23 AM in response to zander19348

Two things to start with;

zander19348 wrote:


My iMac (`1997) has 1 GB 667 Hz DDR2 SDRAM.

1997!!!??

The original iMac (G3/ 233 Bondi) came out on may 6th1998. So you can't have a 1997 iMac.

And if you have an original iMac, forget about installing 4GB of RAM in it and forget about running Lion.

It's impossible. It will not run any recent version of the OS, and Lion will not run on a PowerPC machine.

zander19348 wrote:


I thought the memory chips were universal as long as they were 667 HZ and the same physical size.

Memory chips are not universal.

There is many different specifications that have to be respected for a RAM module to fit and work on a specific machine.

You should only buy RAM that as been certified to work on your machine.

Tell us what model your iMac really is, and we can tell you what RAM to buy for it.

Click on Apple menu and on "about this Mac" and on "more info" to get all the specifications of your machine.

Mar 5, 2012 7:31 AM in response to stedman1

I don't have the serial number, but is a 2.4 GHz Intel Dual Core 2 Duo MA877LL 20 ".


The memory chips I pruchased were a PNY rated for 3 speeds 800MHz, 667 MHZ and somenthing else (533 MHz?). I was wondering if the multiple speed rating was the issue and not a dedicated 667 MHZ. Neither chip worked by its self, so I doubt defective chips.

Mar 5, 2012 7:57 AM in response to zander19348

Zander19348,


You can get Ram compatible with your iMac here:

http://eshop.macsales.com/Descriptions/specs/Framework.cfm?page=imaclate07.html


And full specs for your iMac here

http://eshop.macsales.com/Descriptions/specs/Framework.cfm?page=imaclate07.html


Additional info and istallation procedure here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1423#2


A good RAM buying guide here:

http://guides.macrumors.com/Buying_RAM

Mar 5, 2012 7:55 AM in response to zander19348

MA877LL means you have an "iMac (Mid 2007)" model.


You need memory modules identified as "200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM" ones.


Apple says this model supports up to 4 GB of memory (two 2 GB modules) but OWC says it will actually support up to 6 GB (one 2 GB & one 4 GB module).


Neither chip worked by its self, so I doubt defective chips.

I'm not sure what you mean by this but it seems pretty clear that you did not purchase the correct type of modules. Hopefully, you can return them & either get your money back or apply their price to the right ones.

Mar 5, 2012 8:02 AM in response to zander19348

zander19348 wrote:


I don't have the serial number, but is a 2.4 GHz Intel Dual Core 2 Duo MA877LL 20 ".


The memory chips I pruchased were a PNY rated for 3 speeds 800MHz, 667 MHZ and somenthing else (533 MHz?). I was wondering if the multiple speed rating was the issue and not a dedicated 667 MHZ. Neither chip worked by its self, so I doubt defective chips.

Using chips faster than your BUS should not matter, as they will just slow down to it. However, the RAM may not meet other specs like CAS latency or other timing specs and such. Since neither worked on their own, I would suspect that they just fail to meet one or more of the specs for your logic board - Apple machines can sometimes be quite finicky about RAM when it does not meet the minimum specs. If you buy RAM certified to meet the specs (OWC, Crucial, Kingston, Samsung, all are good bets, Samsung is often used as OEM Ram in Apple machines in fact), it should be fine.


Does PNY actually specificy that the RAM meets or exceeds the specs for your Mac?

Mar 28, 2012 2:30 PM in response to zander19348

I HAVE SAME PROBLEM EXCEPT IF I LEAVE THE ORIGINAL 1 GB IN SLOT AND THEN ADD 2 GB IN SECOND SLOT IT RUNS FINE EXCEPT IT RECOGNIZES I HAVE 3 GB ?? TRY REPLACEING 1 GB CHIP WITH AN IDENTICAL 2 GB CHIP . WILL NOT BOOT UP ?? ANYONE FIGURED THIS OUT YET MY MAC HAS 800 MHZ SPEED RATING AND NEW CHIPS ARE ALSO 800 MHZ??

Mar 29, 2012 5:15 AM in response to Community User

p.s. i noiticed on the web that if your imac is a 2006 even tho it says you can put a 2gb in each slot the i mac will only support three gb ?? this suposetly only applies to a 2006 model . i see that my wifes computer is supposed to be a 2007 but maybe ??i'm going to the apple store friday ..i'll post want i find out

Mar 30, 2012 3:03 PM in response to Community User

just got back from the apple store about this problem . answer was .. tough @!#$ the 2006 and 2007 with the basic setup will not run 4 gb even if it says it will . @#$#!$@% so we have to be happy with 3gb or pay $$$ to remedy problem ..

Mar 30, 2012 4:50 PM in response to Community User

What or who told you the affected iMac could use 4 GB of RAM? Apple's specs don't say this, nor do the user manuals or any of the third party info sources or reputable RAM vendors I'm aware of.


This has nothing to do with "the basic setup" or paying "$$$ to remedy problem," whatever those things are supposed to mean. It is a fundamental limitation of the hardware that can't be worked around, period.


It's just like buying & installing a DIY part for anything else: you can't assume that just because it fits it will work.

Mar 30, 2012 5:30 PM in response to R C-R

WELL the guy at the apple store in the stanford shopping center is who i talked to .. also if you have the computer bring up its paramaters it says 4 gb.. the 2006 says even if the computer says 4gb it will only support 3gb . but the listing for the 2007 doesn't have any such footnote. the paper work i got when i bougth it says 4gb memory available..as far as you state REPUTABLE RAM VENDORS . IS THE APPLE STORE REPUTABLE??

the spec on the web say each of the two slots will accept a 2gb chip i don't know who you are but you should not ***(U)ME ..everything i said was wrong have a nice day

Mar 30, 2012 11:45 PM in response to Community User

robertfromsunnyvale wrote:


the 2006 says even if the computer says 4gb it will only support 3gb . but the listing for the 2007 doesn't have any such footnote.

The user manual for the 2006 iMac very clearly says on page 33 that "You can add a 1 GB or 2 GB memory module for a maximum of 3 GB of memory." As you may have already discovered, you can also use two 2 GB modules but that model can only address a total of 3 GB.


The corresponding manual entry for the 2007 model says "You can add 1 GB or 2 GB memory modules for a maximum of 4 GB of memory." However, the 2007 model will unofficially but actually support up to 6 GB (one 2 GB & one 4 GB module).


If either of your iMac models won't start up with replacement modules installed, it means either they aren't installed correctly, are the wrong type, or are defective. Where did you buy the modules?

Mar 31, 2012 7:52 AM in response to R C-R

ok one last comment..i agree on the note for the 2006..except you say i can insert 2 2GB chips and it will run but only acknowlede 3 GB. not mine .. anything in slot #1 except a 1GB chip and computer will not start .. computer works great with a 1 GB in slot one and a 2 GB in slot 2?? either of the two chips i have work in slot #2 but neither work in slot #1?? . you say all this is explained on page 33?? most guys ( including me) aren't reading up to page 33 in the manual before you get home .. Would have been nice if apple explained this prior to getting home. . all they told me was it will run 4 GB. thanks for your interest . i bought these chip from apple and since either works in slot #2 i don't think they are the problem and apple store says these are the right chips.. thanks again

Apr 2, 2012 5:32 AM in response to Community User

robertfromsunnyvale wrote:


thanks for your interest . i bought these chip from apple and since either works in slot #2 i don't think they are the problem and apple store says these are the right chips.. thanks again

I'm a bit confused. In your first post you said these were 800 MHz chips. Both the 2006 & 2007 iMacs use PC2-5300 (667 MHz) DDR2 modules, & this type is what Apple sells through the online store for the 2007 models. (There is no listing for 2006 ones.) The PC2-6400 800 MHz modules are specified for 2008 iMacs.


This makes me wonder if there was some mixup about which iMac model the modules were intended for when you bought them. Apple guarantees the modules it sells to be compatible with the model they were intended for, but not for other models. If it was clearly established at the time of purchase that the modules were intended for your 2006 iMac, you should make sure the store manager knows this & they should help you resolve the issue by honoring that guarantee.


Otherwise, things get a bit tricky because Apple does not officially recommend the use of two 2 GB modules in a 2006 iMac. I'm not sure what your options are in that case, but it would help to know a bit more about the details of your situation:


1. Did you buy the two modules at the same time?

2. Did you buy them from the online store without first consulting with anyone from Apple about which modules you should order?

3. In the Stanford store, did you make it clear that you want to use both 2 GB modules in a 2006 (not 2007) iMac?

4. Are you certain these are 800 MHz modules?


If all else fails, ask if you can exchange the modules for ones Apple will guarantee will work in the 2006 iMac.

Jun 17, 2012 9:59 PM in response to Community User

I have the same problem here with a 2007 model. I have two identical 2gig samsung modules that I'm trying to use to upgrade my mac from 2 to 4gig. Either 2gig module work fine when paired with one of the existing 1gig module. Both 2gig modules together and the computer does not start. I've tried every possible combination 2gig + 1gig to verify that it's not a problem with my modules or with a particular slot.

I was hoping their was a magical setting somewhere to allow the combination;-)

upgrading RAM will not boot

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