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User profile for user: Robejarp
Robejarp Author
User level: Level 1
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Macbook pro late 2008 13 inch won't run 8 gb ram

Hello, I have a question that has been bothering me for a while now.


I bought a 4gb Ram Module at best buy, it is 1066GhZ DDR3 SODIM.H from PNY to upgrade my macbook pro to 8gb of RAM, everything was going well, I got home and opened up my macbook, inserted the module and turned on my mac.


Everything started working fine until I tried to open google chrome, my machine went into a kernel panic and restarted itself.


Being as I am, I decided to wipe my machine and re-install mountain lion (I run it because mavericks slows down my computer) but my machine wouldn't let me install it.


I opened my computer up again, re-installed the 1gb module from the fabric and the computer worked well.


Now, my question is this: Isn't my computer able to run 8 gb in RAM? I already upgraded my firmware and read a bunch about it on the internet and have done everything necessary but my computer won't accept the module!!


I really would like to know what is going on :/


My specs:


Macbook pro late 2008 unibody


Version 10.8.5


H2.4 GHZ Intel core 2 duo processor


5 gb 1067 MHz DDR3 memory

Model Identifier: MacBook5,1


Boot ROM Version: MB51.007D.B03

MacBook (13-inch Aluminum Late 2008), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Sep 9, 2014 9:31 PM

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3 replies
User profile for user: K Shaffer
K Shaffer
User level: Level 7
34,978 points

Sep 9, 2014 11:03 PM in response to Robejarp

According to http://mactracker.ca database (free download) the MacBook Pro

13-inch model identifier5.1 you've stated that you have, is Not as you've said.

However, there was a 15-inch with the 5.1 model identifier.

•How to identify MacBook Pro models


Be sure to correctly identify the MacBook Pro model, and then get high quality

RAM of proper specification of known good brand for Apple portables.


Find an Example of correct spec RAM, by model & identifier; display size, build year:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade


The budget name brands seldom work well in Apple products; they do OK in some

models of old computers or loose-spec PCs. OWC/macsales and crucial.com are

two better known reputable suppliers of upgrade parts for Macs. Be sure to match

the correct part to the exact spec for your computer.


•How to identify MacBook models


•The MacBook 13-inch (Aluminum Late 2008) -- is not a MacBook Pro:

Model Identifier MacBook5,1

Model Number A1278

EMC 2254


As such the RAM spec according to MacTracker is as follows:


Maximum Memory 8.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)

Memory Slots 2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM


OWC site points to this page for RAM. Double check detailed specs:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3


Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

edited 2x

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Macbook pro late 2008 13 inch won't run 8 gb ram

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