RAM crash due to my new RAMs.

Question

RAM crash due to my new RAMs.

Hello all,

I have 21.5" late 2009 iMac. First, I have decided to add new RAMs and followed the instructions from Apple Logo>About This Mac>More Info>Memory>Memory Upgrade Instructions and with the reference from that recipe, I have bought 2 new HI-LEVEL 4 GB 1066 DDR3 RAM and tried to work it with older rams, 2x2 GB 1066 DDR3.

After that, I have seen that games and programs starts to freeze when I got less and less available RAM. Then I removed the old ones and tried to work with the new 2x4 GB 1066 RAMs. Sadly, crashes still continues and I find myself helpless. I tried to run Apple Hardware Test but I failed to launch it, then I downloaded and used the program "Rember". I have this error message from there:

Memtest version 4.22 (64-bit)

Copyright (C) 2004 Charles Cazabon

Copyright (C) 2004-2008 Tony Scaminaci (Macintosh port)

Licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2 only

Mac OS X 10.9.4 (13E28) running in multiuser mode

Memory Page Size: 4096

System has 2 Intel core(s) with SSE

Requested memory: 5054MB (5300092928 bytes)

Available memory: 5054MB (5300092928 bytes)

Allocated memory: 5054MB (5300092928 bytes) at local address 0x0000000101000000

Attempting memory lock... locked successfully

Partitioning memory into 2 comparison buffers...

Buffer A: 2527MB (2650046464 bytes) starts at local address 0x0000000101000000

Buffer B: 2527MB (2650046464 bytes) starts at local address 0x000000019ef48000

Running 255 test sequences... (CTRL-C to quit)

Test sequence 1 of 255:

Running tests on full 5054MB region...

Stuck Address : setting 1 of 16

FAILURE! Data mismatch at local address 0x0000000223a71040

Actual Data: 0x4800000223a71040

Linear PRN : setting 1 of 16

And here is the screenshot from the program, you can see in which slot I am using now:

So, I have done what Apple asked me to do, but my iMac does not accept those RAMs. Can you help me what to do now? Should I get a refund for my new RAMs and buy new ones? But which kind of RAM does my iMac accept? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Posted on Jul 14, 2014 12:00 PM

Reply

Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,624 points

Jul 14, 2014 12:04 PM in response to stillcoldwind

Return the RAM and purchase correct RAM from either Crucial or if you are in the US, OWC (www.macsales.com). iMacs can be VERY fussy about the type of RAM installed, they demand 100% correct specifications and high quality RAM. Both Crucial and OWC provide both.

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Answer 2

Jul 14, 2014 12:33 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks for the fast reply,

I have checked the OWC site, according to them, correct RAM specifications is same as mine new RAMs. I still cannot understand why it doesn't work. Weird, really.

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,624 points

Jul 14, 2014 12:41 PM in response to stillcoldwind

As I mentioned iMacs demand quality RAM, bottom line... most of the time this saying is correct..."You get what you pay for.".

Return the defective RAM and this time buy quality RAM.

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Answer 4

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jul 14, 2014 12:57 PM in response to stillcoldwind

Can you post the part number/brand of the new RAM? The following screen shot is from About This Mac -> System Report -> Memory.

Can you post something similar from the old and new RAM?

The freezes/crashes typically are because the CL value does not match what the CPU expects.

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Answer 5

Jul 14, 2014 1:51 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I might be a little paranoid but since I will make a non-refundable purchase and international shipping, are you sure about OWC's RAM will be perfectly working? If you say it will work better than no-name RAMs, I am going to do it.

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Answer 6

Jul 14, 2014 1:53 PM in response to Loner T

Here it is, in another language but you'll figure it out:

Weird thing is, no serial or part number is seen in here. I am kinda confused right now.

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Answer 7

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jul 14, 2014 2:12 PM in response to stillcoldwind

Your original 2GB memory DIMMs are Micron CL7 Part number 16JSF256644HZ-1G1F1. This is some of the finest memory available.

Since there are no part numbers or serial numbers on the 4GB DIMMs, would you be willing to pull these out and take a picture and post it.

Your setup is current 2gb, 4gb in Bank 0, and 2gb, 4gb in Bank1.

Do your applications work better if you have 2gb, 2gb in Bank0 and 4gb,4gb in Bank1 ?

Typically, you do not want to mix manufacturers and DIMM sizes. The CL values are unknown.

If you can find Samsung or Hynix memory, it will serve you better. Most manufacturers have a lifetime warranty.

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Answer 8

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,624 points

Jul 14, 2014 2:29 PM in response to stillcoldwind

stillcoldwind wrote:

I might be a little paranoid but since I will make a non-refundable purchase and international shipping, are you sure about OWC's RAM will be perfectly working? If you say it will work better than no-name RAMs, I am going to do it.

i said to purchase OWC if you are in the USA, because you are not please purchase from Crucial and save some money!

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Answer 9

Jul 14, 2014 3:00 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I can vouch for Crucial, that's where I purchased my upgrades from.

If their website hasn't changed, I believe they also have a serial number input/system scanner so that you can get the exact specified modules for your machine.

🙂

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