Does RAM go 'old' and 'bad'?

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n_v14404 Author

Level 1

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Does RAM go 'old' and 'bad'?

Dear Apple Support Community,

First off before I say anything, here are my system specs.

Macbook Pro

15-inch, Mid 2010

Processor: 2.66GHz Intel Core i7

Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 288 MB

Software: OSX 10.8.5 (12F4S)

I wanted to find out whether or not RAM goes 'old'

I've had this computer for over 4 years, and since recently my computer has encountered several random freezes and constant rainbow spinning beach balls.

Since this computer has been running well over the last 4 years, I was wondering if the RAM is the problem.

If I were to replace my two 2GB RAM sticks and replace them with two different 2GB RAM sticks, will my computer perform like new?

I know the RAM will stay at 4GB, but if the RAM is the problem, why would I need to get 8GB of RAM, when I can stick to 4GB?

I don't really understand... Please help me :/

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on May 10, 2014 3:19 AM

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Answer 1

May 10, 2014 3:28 AM in response to n_v14404

RAM doesn't 'go bad' - in fact, most good manufacturers of RAM have lifetime warranties on their modules. You would know if it's bad or good from the start. So replacing your RAM isn't going to stop the freezes and beach-balling.

Can you check to see if you have any kernel panic logs (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2546)? If you do, post the entire log in a reply here (the file will end with the suffix '.panic' if you have them).

If no kernel panic logs, we can look for other software problems that may be causing problems. Or you might have the faulty GPU found in many 15" mid-2010 models (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US).

Call back,

Clinton

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Answer 2

n_v14404 Author

Level 1

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May 10, 2014 4:15 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Dear Clinton,

I tracked down the approximate time these problems started occuring and I found the cause: Adobe After Effects.

I don't know how, but this app has been completely freezing up my computer even when it's not open (I am guessing the Adobe updaters as well...)

Anyways, using AppZapper I erased it and restarted, and my computer performed well. I can't say it's the best, but it's not lagging and freezing as much as before.

I want to thank you for your time, and if I see any more problems in the future I will make sure to contact you 😉

Sincerely,

n_v14404

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Answer 3

May 10, 2014 4:27 AM in response to n_v14404

n_v14404,

Which version of After Effects were you running? I use the Creative Cloud version with few problems.

I really wished that you'd used the AE uninstaller that should have been located in the AE folder - I don't know if AppZapper will get rid of ALL the 'parts' of AE or not. If you have any problems, reinstall AE and then use the uninstaller to get rid of everything. All Adobe programs that I know of come with uninstallers and have for a number of years.

Hope that clears things up for you, though.

Clinton

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Answer 4

n_v14404 Author

Level 1

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May 10, 2014 6:31 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Dear Clinton,

I am using Adobe After Effects CC with the latest version.

I thought I might as well try uninstalling everything again, so I reinstalled and uninstalled using the uninstaller that comes with the program.

Thanks for your help,

n_v14404

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Answer 5

n_v14404 Author

Level 1

0 points

May 16, 2014 7:08 PM in response to n_v14404

Dear Clinton,

Guess what?

Yes, the freezing and SBOD has come back once more.

Although it's only been a few 'days,' I started getting frequent freezes, and I can't even click on anything due to its extreme lag. I thought that the Adobe AE was going to fix the problem...

Anyways, I have almost deleted every single application not needed from my desktop, and I think I have around 490GB free and an external USB drive with over 500GB free on my computer.

I seriously do not know what the problem is, whether its the softwares or the hard drive or whatever...

Please help me out on what to do!!!

Note: The last thing I want to have to do is buy some RAM, and I've researched with my friend's computer, and found out that my mac can only handle 8GB of RAM max. If there is no other solution other than buying RAM or restoring to factory settings, I might as well listen. But I would like some other solutions.

Sincerely,

n_v14404

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