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Will installing additional memory help with startup problem?

mid-2010 iMac 27" desktop; unable to access specs due to startup trouble; i5 2 cores; "used memory" very close to full capacity; have appropriate memory cards to add (currently 4 GB [2-2GB] --> will add Crucial 8 GB kit [2-4GB] = 12 GB total [16 GB is the maximum per Apple]); current operating system is Snow Leopard OS X 10.6.8


Unable to startup computer, as it shuts itself down when progress bar initiates and reaches about 1/4 of an inch

(same result in "safe mode"). Prior startup attempts have been mostly successful, but required restart after using the computer for awhile due to freezes, slow response time, and/or spinning beach ball icon. Unable to use "Finder" became a problem most recently when startup successfully progressed to display desktop files.


I have delayed adding new memory chips because I do not have a current backup due to a problem with external back-up drive. Am I foolish to believe that adding memory might fix the problem? Please advise - any suggestions or comments will be much appreciated. Thank you!

iPod touch, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 23, 2017 8:56 AM

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Question marked as Best answer

I am sorry, I did not read your first message thoroughly and did not realize you could not start up your computer.


If you have suspect your computer's hard drive is filled to capacity this would cause it to not start. Adding RAM will not help. If your hunch is correct, you will need to move data stored on the internal HD to an external HD.


I suspect you do not have another Mac available to use. However, if you do you can use Target Disk Mode to move large libraries such as photos, music and movies to an external HD.


If my hunch is correct and you do not have another Mac to use then you will need to visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider to have them help you. I would recommend that when you go, bring an external HD so they can move those libraries to the EHD. If you do not know of any AASPs in your area please click the link below to begin locating one. Once they have moved the data and made some space available on your HD then ask them to show you how to access the data on the EHD.


Good luck!


https://locate.apple.com/country

Posted on Feb 23, 2017 3:11 PM

12 replies

Feb 23, 2017 9:00 AM in response to apple_peeler

Without knowing much about your system it is almost impossible to answer whether your computer would do better with more RAM. What I'd recommend is posting an EtreCheck report and we can look it over and that will give us more info. Please follow the directions below.


Please post an EtreCheckreport of your system. We can then look for obvious issues. Please click the link, download the app and run the report. Once you have the report, please copy and paste it as your reply to this post.


If you would like more info on what EtreCheck is, simply click the link and you will find a description of the app.

Feb 23, 2017 11:34 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Thank you for your quick response to my question. EtreCheck appears to be a very helpful app, and I wish I had known of its existence before I became unable to start up my computer. I'm not as computer savvy as I'd like to be, so I hope my follow-up question is appropriate: Wouldn't I need to be able to start up my computer to download and use the app?

Question marked as Best answer

Feb 23, 2017 3:11 PM in response to apple_peeler

I am sorry, I did not read your first message thoroughly and did not realize you could not start up your computer.


If you have suspect your computer's hard drive is filled to capacity this would cause it to not start. Adding RAM will not help. If your hunch is correct, you will need to move data stored on the internal HD to an external HD.


I suspect you do not have another Mac available to use. However, if you do you can use Target Disk Mode to move large libraries such as photos, music and movies to an external HD.


If my hunch is correct and you do not have another Mac to use then you will need to visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider to have them help you. I would recommend that when you go, bring an external HD so they can move those libraries to the EHD. If you do not know of any AASPs in your area please click the link below to begin locating one. Once they have moved the data and made some space available on your HD then ask them to show you how to access the data on the EHD.


Good luck!


https://locate.apple.com/country

Feb 23, 2017 3:11 PM in response to apple_peeler

Max memory of i5 and i7 Mid 2010 iMacs is 32 gigabytes,

so I would add two 8 gig chips, giving you 20 gigs total.


The iMac can be finicky about memory, especially the 2010's...


http://www.datamemorysystems.com/apple-imac-intel-core-i5-quad-core-2-8ghz-27-mc 511ll/a-mid-2010-memory-upgrades/


Yyou can add memory before you fix the beachballing, just make sure it's off.

Three beeps, bad memory install or chips...

Feb 23, 2017 3:21 PM in response to apple_peeler

Can you startup into the Recovery volume? Boot into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down). If you can launch the Disk Utility and: 1 - check the free space status of your boot drive; 2 - run first aid on the boot drive. Then reboot normally. Can you?


Report back here with the amount of free space on the boot drive.

User uploaded file

Feb 23, 2017 3:37 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thank you very much for your time and effort in trying to help me. I'm both surprised and disappointed to learn that adding memory to my computer won't help. I guess I should have invested in another external drive, rather than more memory chips. Your hunch is correct, I only have one Mac. I'll follow up with the recommendations you've given me, and make an EHD purchase and a visit to an AASP. Thanks again for your kind advice.

Will installing additional memory help with startup problem?

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