RAM upgrade on Macbook 5,1

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Level 1

6 points

RAM upgrade on Macbook 5,1

Hi everyone,

I'm a complete novice at this, so please bare with me. I currently have a Macbook late 2008 unibody (Macbook 5,1) running OS 10.5.8.

With the new iOS 6.0 release for the iPhone, my iTunes isn't compatible with it anymore. I just ordered Snow leopard through the apple store for cheap (WAYYYYY CHEAPER THAN AMAZON).

My question is that ultimately, I'd like to simply upgrade from Leopard (10.5.8) to Mountain Lion. Since my current Macbook has 2GB of RAM, I was thinking of upping the ammount. Though officially, Apple claims that the max amount of RAM supported by this computer is 4GB, I've read that people have been able to install 8GB of RAM.

I this seemed interesting, until I read somewhere that the 8GB will only work if you meet two criteria first.

1-you download this boot thing (I don't remember what it is)

2-you're on the latest OS

Is there any truth to that still? and will I be able to install 8GB successfully and have it work?

My Processor is: 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Memory: 2 GB 1067 MHz DDR3

Any advice? Thanks guys!!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Oct 3, 2012 1:20 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

AnaMusic

Level 9

57,562 points

Oct 3, 2012 1:26 AM in response to Jasondcc

Plenty of Information here for you... Including How to install videos and instructions...

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/

For best performance, fill both memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot.

It is Important to get the Correct and Matching RAM

With regards to Upgrading your Operating System...

Be sure to make a Backup of your Current System Before Upgrading...

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Answer 2

Oct 3, 2012 7:37 AM in response to Jasondcc

Check this page on OWC. Check the note at the bottom http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3

And this article http://blog.macsales.com/9102-secret-firmware-lets-late-08-macbooks-use-8gb

Here are video instructions on replacing the RAM on the Aluminum Unibody.
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_13_unibody_mem/

If you don’t have the tools to open up the MacBook OWC has a set for $5
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TOOLKITMHD/

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Answer 3

Oct 3, 2012 7:58 AM in response to Jasondcc

To see which Boot ROM you have go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info. When System Profiler comes up check the Boot ROM Version on the 10th line and post it back here.

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Answer 4

Jasondcc Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 3, 2012 8:00 AM in response to frederic1943

I checked, it says:

Boot ROM Version:

MB51.007D.B03

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Answer 5

Jasondcc Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 3, 2012 8:03 AM in response to frederic1943

frederic1943 wrote:

To see which Boot ROM you have go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info. When System Profiler comes up check the Boot ROM Version on the 10th line and post it back here.

Here's the Boot ROM

Boot ROM Version:

MB51.007D.B03

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Answer 6

Oct 3, 2012 8:15 AM in response to Jasondcc

Your Boot ROM is the correct version Make sure your Operating System is updated to Mac OS X v10.6.6 before adding the RAM. You must be running Snow Leopard to address 8GB on this system.

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Answer 7

Jasondcc Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 3, 2012 8:22 AM in response to frederic1943

Thank you so much!!!! I'll just wait to receive Snow Leopard from Apple first. Install that with the current 2 GB of RAM. Update to 10.6.6 or later before I put in the 8 GB of RAM (which I'll order now).

Any reputable places to buy RAM from? I've seen a lot of people mentioning OWC (an American based company). Is there a Canadian company that anyone can recomend? (just trying to avoid a delay in receiving shipment).

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!

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Answer 8

Oct 6, 2012 4:00 PM in response to Jasondcc

hey how did that work? i had 1g that came in the laptop and 4 from my buddy that got a new PRO. both of the sticks from the new macbook pro didnt work but i found i could run 1 and 4 and my 1g would down clock the 4g stick. but i got new 8g set in the mail and put it in. win7 still works but osx will not load... i wish i would have seen this post first!

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Answer 9

Jasondcc Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 8, 2012 8:49 AM in response to i shoulda read the terms

Hi! It worked perfectly fine for me! I received both my RAM and OS on the same day. So I started off with installing Snow Leopard on my Macbook. Once installed, I ran the update immediately to go from 10.6.3 (the version from the install dvd) to 10.6.8.

Once I was running the last updated version of snow leopard, I installed my 2X4GB of RAM. It was incredibly easy to do and it totally sped up my Macbook! I am now running Mountain Lion and everything is as smooth as ever! I am glad that I opted for the 8GB of RAM vs the 4 GB that apple suggests. I've noticed that now with the new updates I've done, I'm using about 3.45 GB of RAM (via activity monitor). The 8GB was a fab choice!

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Answer 10

Nov 11, 2012 9:59 AM in response to Jasondcc

Based on this thread I also attempted to upgrade to 8gig. My Macbook 5,1, has the correct bootROM and I'm using Mountain Lion 10.8.2. I purchased two PNY DDR3, PC3-10666, 4Gig memory modules that installed fine. The computer boots and sees 8 gig of memory but then it crashes and reports a problem. Any thoughts??

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Answer 11

Sonja75

Level 1

0 points

Feb 7, 2013 11:56 AM in response to frederic1943

Hi there, I've got the same starting position as Jasondcc (already running on Snow Leopard w/ the correct Boot ROM Version MB51.007D.B03) and just tried to upgrade to 8 GB (2x4GB Corsair Value DDR3 1066 CL7 SO DIMM) - However, when I turn on the Mac i'm just getting a 3 BEEP error. Any suggestions what could be the problem?

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Answer 12

Feb 7, 2013 12:09 PM in response to Sonja75

PNY and Corsair both make PC RAM that most of the time won't work in Macs. Your best bet is OWC, they guarantee that it work in a Mac.

Check this page on OWC. http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3

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