Late 2009 won't start after RAM upgrade

Question

Level 1

11 points

Late 2009 won't start after RAM upgrade

Just installed 8GB of OWC RAM and an OWC 240GB SSD. On startup, the screen remained black, the Mac mini beeped (numerous times), the LED blinked.

I reversed the positions of the RAM chips - same result.

I replaced the new RAM with the original (2x2GB) RAM. The machine booted perfectly.

The RAM was bought from OWC as a Mac Mini 3,1 late 2009 upgrade package that numerous posts have commented as working perfectly. My machine does not need a firmware upgrade. Where to from here, please?

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion, late-2009 2.53 GHz Core 2 Duo

Posted on Feb 6, 2016 3:15 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Feb 6, 2016 3:49 AM in response to Freeflight

Examine the contacts of the OWC RAM. Compare with working/original RAM.

Try only one stick of the OWC in each slot and see if one stick will work and in what slots.

Maybe yo receive a bad stick (or two).

You can call OWC when they are available Monday

I purchased the 8 Gb (2x4 GB) from OWC for my late 2009 Mini and it worked without problems.

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Answer 2

Rudegar

Level 10

170,580 points

Feb 6, 2016 3:54 PM in response to Freeflight

memory chips are somewhat sensitive to static electricity so if handled wrong one can easy fry the module making it cause your computer not to boot

try one module at the time to see what works

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 9

76,942 points

Feb 6, 2016 3:54 PM in response to Freeflight

You ordered and OWC sent the correct modules...?

see > http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S8GP/

If so, then you should contact OWC Customer Service and request a replacement set.

see > http://eshop.macsales.com/Service/

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Answer 4

Freeflight Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 6, 2016 3:54 PM in response to lllaass

Thanks for the advice. I will try that.

When you installed your new RAM did you first do a PRAM and SMC reset?

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Feb 7, 2016 1:18 AM in response to Freeflight

I di not do a PRAM reset. When you replace RAM you should/need to remove all connections, including power, and that resets the SMC.

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