Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

RAM on a G4 and G5

Jun 18, 2007 8:59AM PDT

I'm trying to install 512 MB sticks of RAM into a G4. It seems to recognize the memory sticks inconsistently. I had three sticks, it only recognize two. I switched the slots then it read one stick but not another. Does anyone have any troubleshooting tips?

Same thing is happening with a G5 except with larger capacity memory sticks.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
RAM
Jun 18, 2007 10:00PM PDT

Troubleshooting RAM is always problematic.
First question to ask is; was the RAM purchased from a reputable company or was it purchased because it was cheap.
I see you have the same problem with a G5. Was that the same RAM or different RAM - same supplier?

There was a period there when Apple tightened up on the specs for RAM in their machines. They did not change the specs, just the tolerances that the machine would except.
Some resellers never did get over the shock and still sell stuff that does not meet the specs.

Put the old ram back in. How many sticks do you have of the old stuff?
Boot the machine, see if it recognizes the RAM.
Continue to add RAM and check.
It is all trial and error, adding/restarting/subtracting/restarting.

Does the RAM have a warranty? If so, you may just be about to use it.

P

- Collapse -
are you adding it correctly?
Jun 22, 2007 3:19PM PDT

I don't remember about G4s, but G5s require ram to be added in matched pairs, and in particular slot combinations.

- Collapse -
thanks
Jul 10, 2007 8:31PM PDT

i had the same exact problem.

- Collapse -
Depending on the G4
Jul 27, 2007 12:50PM PDT

Some G4s like generic RAM, others puke on it. I have three 512MB sticks that are all Hynix chips I bought at a swap shop that work just fine. I've seen some Macs puke on the same RAM. It's just part of dealing with a computer.