Mac Mini (mid 2010) stoped booting with 8GB RAM

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Level 1

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Mac Mini (mid 2010) stoped booting with 8GB RAM

Hello,

I went thru (I think) all related topics, but my issue is little bit different.

Got Mac Mini (mid 2010) in our company for developming.

About two month ago we decided to upgrade RAM, so we ordered this memory kit: Patriot SO-DIMM Signature Line Apple 8GB (kit 2x 4GB) 1333

At first, I had problems to install stick at all, but after a little bit of magic, I made this mac mini fully operational with 2x4GB of RAM.

Today, Mac have to be restarted, after restart only beeping (long single beep).

And I am back in situaion where I was two months ago. It is working with 4+1, 1+4, 4+0, 0+4 or 1+1 sticks combinations, but not in 4+4.

Again, it worked normally for more than two months, detected in OS, everywhere.

Tried reset PRAM, reset EFI, OSX: Lion 10.7.4

Thanks for any idea, my "magic" is not working anymore 😟

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jul 4, 2012 7:51 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

92,278 points

Jul 4, 2012 9:09 AM in response to Tomas Vrabec

Mac's are finicky and those are the wrong spec modules for a 2010 Mac Mini.

You need PC3-8500 DDR3 204-pin 1066 MHz modules.

see > (Mid 2010): Memory specifications and upgrades

Adding that Mac's will also have issues with multi speed modules and your best bet is to stick to supplier's like OWC and Crucial that actually test there upgrade kits in Mac's.

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Answer 2

Tomas Vrabec Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 4, 2012 9:37 AM in response to den.thed

Ok, so again:

1) Both sticks worked together for more than two months, every day.

2) Each of them is working corectely, when instaled separately or in combination with original RAMs.

3) This upgrade kit is certified by apple for this kind of upgrade.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

92,278 points

Jul 4, 2012 10:06 AM in response to Tomas Vrabec

1) Both sticks worked together for more than two months, every day.

Call it what you want (magic, shear luck, a fluke) again, they do not meet the spec's for that model Mac Mini that has a 1066 MHz Memory Contoller.

2) Each of them is working corectely, when instaled separately or in combination with original RAMs.

That is normal, however they will only run at 1066 MHz, again because that Mac only has a 1066 MHz memory controller.

3) This upgrade kit is certified by apple for this kind of upgrade.

I'd agree, if you have a 2011 Mac Mini.

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Answer 4

den.thed

Level 10

92,278 points

Jul 4, 2012 10:37 AM in response to Tomas Vrabec

Adding that, this > Patriot Memory is the correct 8GB Kit for a 2010 Mac Mini.

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Answer 5

dc430

Level 1

0 points

Jul 4, 2012 1:59 PM in response to Tomas Vrabec

I bought 2x4GB Centon MacReady Memory: DDR3-1333 SODIMM, 204 pin. After installing them, power up, the computer beeps, power light blinks in sync with beep, nothing on screen.

Then i took out one of the 4GB and replaced the 1GB, it started fine.

It won't work with both 4GB but works with one 4GB and one 1GB. Have any idea on how to fix this?

I went to centon.com and check the memory compatibility for my Mid 2010 mac mini and what i got is correct memory.

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Answer 6

Tomas Vrabec Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 11, 2012 7:09 AM in response to Tomas Vrabec

Ok, so, as we ordered two of this memory kits upgrades, I have 4x4GB 1333 Patriot module.

I got 2pcs of Mac mini mid 2010 and two mid 2011

Two newer got 2x2GB 1333 hynix modules. So I put it out, combined with new Patriots and VOILA!!!!

All Mac mini (both 2010 and 2011) are now running 6GB (4+2) of RAM at 1333 speed.

If there is any infidel, I can post a screen from Mac mini 2010 running at 1333 😉

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