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Upgraded RAM; doesn't recognize it

I bought a 8GB RAM (4GBx2) from Amazon a week ago and tried to install it a few moments ago. I boot up the computer to check my new RAM and make sure it's working and it only says I have 3GB of RAM. I tried again by putting in one 4GB and the 1GB RAM that cam with the laptop; now I had 2GB of RAM. I tried putting in the old RAM (1GBx2) that came with the laptop; I have the same 2GB I started with. I am so confused. I don't understand why it won't recognize it. I'll post some screenshots of what happened all 3 times when I edit the post.


Edit:

Pictures wouldn't post so here are the links; will take me a few moments to get them all.


With 4GB and 4GB installed

http://tinypic.com/r/2viiczc/6

http://tinypic.com/r/wwgrrs/6

http://tinypic.com/r/dywwi/6


With 4GB and 1GB

http://tinypic.com/r/244simo/6


Message was edited by: Gnomeo

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Nov 19, 2012 1:45 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Nov 19, 2012 3:51 PM

This will be obvious but just saying:


Make SURE the RAM is seated correctly (inserted all the way and sitting straight.) After you double check reboot your computer and see if it will recognize your new RAM. If not, you may need to reset the NVRAM. NVRAM is storage on your motherboard (not your harddrive) that stores data such as: Speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk, kernel panic info, etc...


To reset the NVRAM follow these steps:

Resetting NVRAM / PRAM

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
  3. Turn on the computer.
  4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
  5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
  6. Release the keys.

After resetting NVRAM or PRAM, you may need to reconfigure your settings for speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, time zone information.

4 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Nov 19, 2012 3:51 PM in response to Gnomeo

This will be obvious but just saying:


Make SURE the RAM is seated correctly (inserted all the way and sitting straight.) After you double check reboot your computer and see if it will recognize your new RAM. If not, you may need to reset the NVRAM. NVRAM is storage on your motherboard (not your harddrive) that stores data such as: Speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk, kernel panic info, etc...


To reset the NVRAM follow these steps:

Resetting NVRAM / PRAM

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
  3. Turn on the computer.
  4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
  5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
  6. Release the keys.

After resetting NVRAM or PRAM, you may need to reconfigure your settings for speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, time zone information.

Nov 19, 2012 5:05 PM in response to Gnomeo

Did you buy the 8GB of RAM with the proper speed rating? I noticed in one of your photos the new memory was listed at 1333MHz. I also noticed installing the old memory it was rated at 1066MHz. My MPB early 2008 requires 667MHz memory.


Sugesst you go to OWC at macsales.com and verify the correct memory required for your machine.

Upgraded RAM; doesn't recognize it

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