>MacTracker indicates the following maximum RAM for a Bondi iMac: > > "384 MB (Rev. A) 512 MB (Rev. B) 128 MB (Apple)" > >Note: I have been running 288 MB in my original (8/15/98) iMac for >several years now and am planning to replace the lower-slot RAM to max >it out for OS X installation.
Apple's max ram specs are written based on what they tested, not what it could do in theory. That means, at the time the product was released, they tested it with the largest chips available. That meant the Bondi was rated for 128 MB because 64 MB chips was the largest you could get (the same issue applies to the SE/30 and IIci that is rated for 32 MB but can really use 128 MB). However, sometimes those specs are correct. There are some machines that simply can't access larger amounts of RAM. I beleive the LC2 is an example. You can put as much as you want into it, but it will only ever see 10 MB of ram. So when doing a RAM upgrade beyond Apple specs, just do a little research before spending money. If there are reports it will do more than spec'd, chances are very very good those reports are correct. That said, I have two Rev A iMacs working just fine with 512 MB of RAM. There are reports that some will work with 512 and some won't. I found two issues, and when I stuck to both of them, I had no problems with putting a full 256 in each slot giving me a nice 512 MB to run OS X with. 1: Make sure you get the right kind of chip. Apple specs it as a x64 chip, but many newer 256 MB SO-DIMMs are x32. 2: Some of the iMac processor cards have metal retaining clips to hold the chip in place. Because of the need to jam more chips onto the 256 MB card, they are closer to the edge, and those metal retaining clips can touch the chip pins and short it out. In my testing this caused anywhere from the iMac to not boot, to booting just fine but seeing less then the full amount of the ram. This was easily fixed by putting a small bit of electrical tape over the edge of the ram to insulate the metal retaining clip from the chip pins. I can't say that following both of those will cause a 256 MB chip to work in the RevA, but that did let it work on both of mine, and when I get around to it, I'll be taking the gamble that it will work on a 3rd that I have waiting to be used. -chris <http://www.mythtech.net> -- The iMac List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 580 Printers - new at $69 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> iMac List info: <http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/imac-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
