Want to highlight a helpful answer? Upvote!

Did someone help you, or did an answer or User Tip resolve your issue? Upvote by selecting the upvote arrow. Your feedback helps others! Learn more about when to upvote >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

2008 macbook won't take more than 3gb ram

So I bought some ddr2 ram for my MacBook and when I installed it the computer black screened with no chime. So I tested each stick with the same result I even reset the SMC memory to see if that fixed it and nothing. However when I installed just one of the 2GB sticks with one of the 1GB sticks it already had, the computer boot fine and when I checked the system profiler it noticed the ram perfectly fine.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Mar 6, 2015 12:31 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 6, 2015 12:50 AM

Some models of MacBook required a firmware update; and of those

(unknown percentage of models or their specifics) some could only

see a greater upgrade in RAM or to use a later OS X, once done.


Perhaps the RAM you are trying to use is not correct spec to the Mac.

Or maybe one of the chips has an issue whereby it doesn't connect,

so a clean pencil eraser could be carefully used to wipe fingerprints or

dust off the connectors. And never handle RAM by those contacts.


Several early MacBooks had a ceiling of 3GB, though two 2-GB

chips could be installed if that is what you happen to get; but that

did not necessarily equate to a noticeable improvement in function.


However the Early 2008 MacBook 13-inch model is said to support

up to 6GB RAM: one 2-GB chip & one 4-GB chip; of correct spec.


Both the Early 2008 and Late 2008 (white/black) models can use:


Maximum Memory 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)

Memory Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM


according to http://mactracker.ca specification database


Also, if the MacBook is of the Aluminum unibody version, that uses

a different specification of RAM, and also has higher ceiling total...


{If the RAM is from some 'poor quality' source, there is a fair chance

it is not good or stable in the Mac. There is a noticeable difference.}


So that may be the problem... hard to say without more information.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 6, 2015 12:50 AM in response to thattehguy

Some models of MacBook required a firmware update; and of those

(unknown percentage of models or their specifics) some could only

see a greater upgrade in RAM or to use a later OS X, once done.


Perhaps the RAM you are trying to use is not correct spec to the Mac.

Or maybe one of the chips has an issue whereby it doesn't connect,

so a clean pencil eraser could be carefully used to wipe fingerprints or

dust off the connectors. And never handle RAM by those contacts.


Several early MacBooks had a ceiling of 3GB, though two 2-GB

chips could be installed if that is what you happen to get; but that

did not necessarily equate to a noticeable improvement in function.


However the Early 2008 MacBook 13-inch model is said to support

up to 6GB RAM: one 2-GB chip & one 4-GB chip; of correct spec.


Both the Early 2008 and Late 2008 (white/black) models can use:


Maximum Memory 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)

Memory Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM


according to http://mactracker.ca specification database


Also, if the MacBook is of the Aluminum unibody version, that uses

a different specification of RAM, and also has higher ceiling total...


{If the RAM is from some 'poor quality' source, there is a fair chance

it is not good or stable in the Mac. There is a noticeable difference.}


So that may be the problem... hard to say without more information.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Mar 6, 2015 3:31 AM in response to thattehguy

Unless you bought your ram upgrade from a reliable vendor such as Crucial or OWC you more than likely have incompatible ram. The bargain basement brands play fast and loose with their specs where close is good enough. Macs require EXACT spec ram and won't work with most bargain basement brands. Your Macbook starts with 3Gb because the 1Gb chip is telling the machine what speed to use, the new 2gb chips are the wrong speed and the mac doesn't know what to do with them. Return the ram for a refund and buy from one of the vendors I mentioned above.

2008 macbook won't take more than 3gb ram

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.