2GB RAM sticks showing as 1GB RAM sticks

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Level 1

20 points

2GB RAM sticks showing as 1GB RAM sticks

I installed (2) 2GB Crucial sticks in a new mac pro w/ factory 2 x 512 RAM. Upon startup, all RAM showed properly in system profiler. This morning, two weeks later the 2GB ram sticks are showing as 1GB sticks, so my total RAM is 3GB instead of 5GB. I haven't done anything yet to try and figure this out.

Any suggested routes?

All sys software if current w/ updates. Below is my current system profile reading. All 1GB sticks are actually 2GB sticks.

Memory:

DIMM Riser A/DIMM 1:

Size: 1 GB
Type: DDR2 FB-DIMM
Speed: 667 MHz
Status: OK

DIMM Riser A/DIMM 2:

Size: 1 GB
Type: DDR2 FB-DIMM
Speed: 667 MHz
Status: OK

DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1:

Size: 512 MB
Type: DDR2 FB-DIMM
Speed: 667 MHz
Status: OK

DIMM Riser B/DIMM 2:

Size: 512 MB
Type: DDR2 FB-DIMM
Speed: 667 MHz
Status: OK

DIMM Riser A/DIMM 3:

Size: Empty
Type: Empty
Speed: Empty
Status: Empty

DIMM Riser A/DIMM 4:

Size: Empty
Type: Empty
Speed: Empty
Status: Empty

DIMM Riser B/DIMM 3:

Size: Empty
Type: Empty
Speed: Empty
Status: Empty

DIMM Riser B/DIMM 4:

Size: Empty
Type: Empty
Speed: Empty
Status: Empty

3Ghz dual Quad-Core Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2 Ghz Macbook, Nikon D70, '62 Reissue Strat, 78 Les Paul Jr.

Posted on Jun 2, 2007 8:13 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 2, 2007 8:56 AM in response to Tommy Moore

It's funny I noticed the same issue this morning, I only have 3GB when it should be 5GB. My 2GB sticks are OWC.

Try this:

Boot your Pro with the cover off and see if any of the LEDs on the risers come on. Not sure what these LEDs mean but one was on on my top riser.

I took out my top riser and reversed the 2 x 2GB sticks. After boot all LEDs remained off and it fixed the issue, I got my 5GB back.

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Answer 2

Tommy Moore Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 2, 2007 9:33 AM in response to Philip Scandariato

Opened up the box and there is a red light on my top riser. Will try reseating the RAM in that riser and get back to you.

Thanks for your reply.

t

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Answer 3

Tommy Moore Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 2, 2007 9:57 AM in response to Tommy Moore

Red light still on riser. Reseating the (2) 2GB sticks didn't fix the problem. System profiler is still showing as 1GBs. Guess I will call Apple support.

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Answer 4

Tommy Moore Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 2, 2007 12:24 PM in response to Tommy Moore

Update:

Apple support suggested putting 2GB sticks in bottom riser and 512s in top riser. Red light on 2GB riser visible, so Apple is saying the RAM is bad. Crucial is send replacements.

What's interesting is the 2GBs worked when I first installed them.

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Answer 5

Tommy Moore Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 6, 2007 7:31 AM in response to Tommy Moore

Update: Crucial replacements arrived and they are Netlist. They have the Crucial sticker on top, but the cooling blade has the netlist logo and netlist sticker.

3Ghz dual Quad-Core Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2 Ghz Macbook, Nikon D70, '62 Reissue Strat, 78 Les Paul Jr.

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Answer 6

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Jun 6, 2007 8:06 AM in response to Tommy Moore

I think people have said that the top Riser tends to run hotter, so moving it as one way to drop temperature (or/and kick up rpm using smcFanControl).

So Micron/Crucial is using Netlist head spreaders. But not Netlist DIMMs.

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Answer 7

Tommy Moore Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 11, 2007 1:46 PM in response to The hatter

Well, my second pair of Crucial 2GB sticks have started intermittently going out after one day of use. I took my machine into Apple store and they reported that all was fine. After getting my machine back Sat, I ran it all day Sunday. At the end of the day, I logged out and logged back in. The login hung for a sec and then the desktop loaded. Looking at the sys profile, both 2GB sticks read as 1s and the red error light is on the Riser A. Booting a cold machine this morning, RAM worked fine for about 3 hours, then RAM errored out.

Apple's response today is that they are not responsible for 3rd party RAM which I understand, but this is ridiculous. This machine is brand new and I have gone through 2 new pairs of Crucial RAM. It's my guess this is a heat issue since the machine will boot fine w/ cold RAM.

Any guesses?

3Ghz dual Quad-Core Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2 Ghz Macbook, Nikon D70, '62 Reissue Strat, 78 Les Paul Jr.

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Answer 8

Jun 11, 2007 4:46 PM in response to Tommy Moore

Can you give more detail on your system(HD's installed, Graphics cards, other PCie cards etc...)? Is this system in a well ventelated area? Have you tried just using the 512 sticks without the 2gigs? Then try the 2 gigs sticks without the 512, are the ram sticks both from the same manufacturer?

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Answer 9

Jun 11, 2007 5:13 PM in response to Tommy Moore

You might try a search of the forum on temperature. The 2GB's run hot and others have used smcFanControl to increase the rpm's for cooler running. You should also check the temperture with istat pro or a similar temperature monitor.

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Answer 10

Tommy Moore Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 11, 2007 5:37 PM in response to kivan1110

HDs:
tray 1: 250GB boot
tray 2 & 3: 750GBs RAID 0
tray 4: empty

video: ATI X1900

The machine is under my desk on hardwood floor. There is about 12" clearance above. Right now I am running it on the factory pair of 512s in riser A. W/o smcFanControl those sticks look to be running around 115°F. When I have the 2GB pair in riser A and the 512pair below, I had smcFanControl running at 800rpm and the temp hovered around 100°. The factory 512s are Hynix (something like that) and the 2GB stick I bought are Crucial.

I am working on print projects in CS3, so no video editing or heavy loading be put on RAM.

3Ghz dual Quad-Core Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2 Ghz Macbook, Nikon D70, '62 Reissue Strat, 78 Les Paul Jr.

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Answer 11

Denisimo

Level 1

114 points

Jun 12, 2007 5:49 AM in response to Tommy Moore

I have 4 X 512MB (slot 1 & 2 From Apple, 3 & 4 from Crucial) in Riser B and 2 X 2GB(From Crucial) on Riser A. my temps are around 86-88F my MAC Pro sits on my Desk in a small room of my lounge, normally quite a warm area. I have smcFanControl set at 749rpm for CPU and PCI/e, the rear fan and power are set at their default of 500rpm and 600rpm respectively. The only thing that might be diferent is the make of my apple memory that came in the Mac Pro. have you tried running without the Hynix ? apple memory?

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Answer 12

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Jun 12, 2007 6:06 AM in response to Denisimo

85F??? I think you meant 85C on that? otherwise that would be downright [ cold!

Under a desk, as long as the backside isn't blocked... so hot air doesn't build up and sit under there...

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Answer 13

Tommy Moore Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 12, 2007 7:09 AM in response to Denisimo

I will try running just the 2x2GB up top w/o the factory 512s below for today. I have been issued an RMA from Crucial and I am thinking I will go w/ 1GB sticks (Netlist) from OWC since they are right down the road and shipping take 1 day.

To me this is a heat issue and I need to move on and get my work done. I am taking the safe route (hopefully) going w/ 1GB sticks. smcFanControl is not a solution since it doesn't run when you are logged out.

3Ghz dual Quad-Core Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2 Ghz Macbook, Nikon D70, '62 Reissue Strat, 78 Les Paul Jr.

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Answer 14

Denisimo

Level 1

114 points

Jun 12, 2007 7:13 AM in response to The hatter

Hi The Hatter, No that's the temp showing on my menu bar at the top right hand corner of my screen, not the temp of my memory. To be exact at this moment it states 86F 748rpm. My Temp Monitor shows Ambient Air 25C - CPU/HSA 29C - CPU/HSB 31C Expansion slots 34C HD Bay 1 30C HD Bay2 29C Mem Bank A1 34C- 2 38C Banks B1 35C - 239C - 3 42C Mem Module A1 55C A2 57C B1 55C B2 54C

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Answer 15

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Jun 12, 2007 7:26 AM in response to Denisimo

I use smcFanControl and use Hardware Monitor to watch my DIMMs (1GB * 2 Ramjet) on the menu bar (77C max and usually 64C thanks to SFC). Those are 1GB DIMMs, and they do run hotter than Apple 512s (they are Ramjet and look just like Apple's) If you need 4GB, you will probably still see some elevated temps - and still need to use SFC utility.

I think FanControl is very useful and while not perfect, better than not (and I never logout, and if I do sleep the system, it only needs 10-15 minutes to cool down - I have one setting for 1000 rpm).

Not sure why FanControl shows cpu temps, but it does so I ignore it mostly.

Did you talk to Crucial about the temperature? or just go for RMA?

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