MBP mid-2010 i5 fails RAM test at POST before and after replacing the ram

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Mkuser Author

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MBP mid-2010 i5 fails RAM test at POST before and after replacing the ram

So in january my MBP started to fail to boot. (in july of the year before the logic board was replaced)

The LID flashed once it seems to click and then nothing, only after a few tries(between 5-10) it would boot.

A few months later it got worse sometimes didn't boot after hours of tries.

then i switched the RAM modules with each other, And it got better until a month ago.

Yesterday it booted only after an hour and a half of tries (connected to the charger and clicking one time to start trying to boot)

Today i bougth 2 corsair 4GB 1066 Mhz ddr3... replaced the old ram and it was the same it didn't boot after a few minutes of tries.

i tried each of the new RAM on each slot and the old ones, everytime the same.

then with the 2 new modules i tried to boot with OPTION COMMAND P R and after a few times it booted it worked fine recognized the 8GB.

did about 2 or 3 shutdowns to check if it booted, it was fine. then after a few minutes i was going to work on it tried to boot and the same happened blink and nothing. tried with OPTION COMMAND P R (after 3 or 5 tries) it booted.

I didn't try to reset the SMC yet for the lack of the proper screwdriver. but could it fix this?

From everything that i read it seems to be the ram test at POST.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Nov 30, 2013 4:26 PM

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Answer 1

LowLuster

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Nov 30, 2013 4:29 PM in response to Mkuser

Are you sure you seated it correctly and pushed it all the way down until it locks in?

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Answer 2

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Nov 30, 2013 4:32 PM in response to Mkuser

Hi M,

Is any of this RAM the original Apple supplied RAM? That's what you want to try.

If it is, and it's bad, then did you buy RAM intended for Mac use or generic PC RAM? Macs are picky about RAM and may not work with the seemingly same PC RAM.

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Answer 3

Mkuser Author

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Nov 30, 2013 4:33 PM in response to LowLuster

yes several times. I'm currently using it but i had to try a few times to boot and i was pressing OPTION COMMAND P R when it booted

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Answer 4

tjk

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Nov 30, 2013 4:36 PM in response to Mkuser

I don't know if an SMC reset would help, but I'd try it. Note that you do not need any tools to perform one: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

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Answer 5

Mkuser Author

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Nov 30, 2013 4:36 PM in response to tjk

i happend with the original Apple ram and with the new ram. the new ram is the right one.

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Answer 6

tjk

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Nov 30, 2013 4:38 PM in response to Mkuser

Mkuser wrote:

the new ram is the right one.

It's guaranteed compatible with your MBP, yes?

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Answer 7

LowLuster

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Nov 30, 2013 4:38 PM in response to Mkuser

Then the logic board is bad.

It the only other link in the chain.

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Answer 8

Mkuser Author

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Nov 30, 2013 4:46 PM in response to LowLuster

the thing is whe i change the position of the RAM (the original ones 6 months ago) it started to work fine. i really hope the SMC reset will clear this up. but right now i don't have the magsafe.

And the logic board was replaced at apple certified repair store ( the right name may not be this one).

if it is the logic board does it get it's own warraty after replacing it? i'm out of warranty.

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Answer 9

LowLuster

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Nov 30, 2013 4:49 PM in response to Mkuser

If it was done by an Apple store it has a 90 day warranty. Done by an Apple approve or Apple Authorized repair center I don't know. You'll have to check with them.

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Answer 10

Mkuser Author

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Nov 30, 2013 4:53 PM in response to LowLuster

i will check with the company. in my country apple have to give at least 2 year warranty for it's products maybe it's more for repairs to but after an year and a couple of months, i don't belive that i will have that luck

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Answer 11

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Nov 30, 2013 4:54 PM in response to Mkuser

What EXACT model MBP do you have?

Try to run an Apple Hardware Test and see if that will pickup any clues:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

Ciao.

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Answer 12

Mkuser Author

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Nov 30, 2013 5:10 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

MacBookPro6,2

I tried booting holding D and it spends a little more time before FileVault password menu but no AHT.

with 10.8.5 it should have AHT the hidden partiion right?

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Answer 13

LowLuster

Level 6

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Nov 30, 2013 5:26 PM in response to Mkuser

Neither the AHT or booting into the guest account work, and maybe not the recovery hd, with Filevault enabled.

No on your Mac the AHT is on one of the system reinstall discs that came with the system.

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Answer 14

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Dec 1, 2013 3:27 AM in response to Mkuser

Try booting the MBP with the OPTION and D keys held down. If no success, then as Lowluster indicates, you will have to get the no. 2 installation disk that has the AHT instructions on it.

Ciao.

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Answer 15

Mkuser Author

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Dec 1, 2013 8:10 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

OPTION D booted recovery from the internet but it didn't support my mbp.

I booted AHT from the second disk the normal test showed no problems.

When i boot after turning the computer off for a few minutes it boots fine, after some time it appears to boot only after COMMAND OPTION P R

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