Argh! I do wish you hadn't said the zap and reset words, Jerry. No, I
didn't think of it. After all, since the machine started up and
operated normally using the on-board RAM, with and without the module
installed, it just didn't seem to be an issue. But now I'm feeling
paranoid about it.
I did do the blow-out operation to make sure the socket was clear of
cat hair (having encountered that problem in the past) and would wager
heavily that the module was seated properly. So far as cracking the
socket is concerned, well, although I saw no evidence of it, I can't
say for sure that it didn't happen. I can, however, attest to the fact
that I did not throw the machine out of her 5th floor window when
tempted to do so.
Thanks for sharing your experience re OWC and bad memory. I'll call
them in the morning, although I'd really like to be able to somehow
test the module before sending it back to them. Sometimes I miss the
days of tube testing.
The machine is running system 8.6 and I'm hesitant to upgrade her to
10.x until I can set her up with a machine with more horse power.
Later in the year perhaps. I checked the other day and was delighted
at some of the pricing Apple offers on their refurbed units.
Bill
On Jan 5, 2006, at 6:02 PM, Jerry Freeman wrote:
> For the record, I have had both the wrong RAM and bad RAM from OWC, it
> happens. In both causes it was cheerfully replaced arriving next day
> before the suspect RAM was returned. Those tabs do get brittle and
> break, but the RAM can be properly seated without them. I guess it's
> possible, being the brute that you are, to have cracked the RAM socket
> causing other problems, but I doubts it. The fact that after removal
> of the new RAM you have problems after Restart makes me wonder. What
> OS is this iMac running, did you zap the PRAM, or reset the PMU? ...jf
>
> On Jan 5, 2006, at 5:33 PM, Bill Holt wrote:
>
>> Well Jerry, I can't be absolutely sure, but I think that's the most
>> likely case. Right memory? Well, yes, I'm pretty sure. It came
>> from OWC, and I've never had a problem with anything from them
>> before. In any case, I've done this sort of upgrade dozens of times
>> on more than a few different types of machines, and I'm pretty
>> religious about static control and taking care to match slot to tab.
>> However, this one didn't go as usual, and it was more difficult than
>> usual to get the module seated - initially. The module is one of
>> those that installs parallel to the motherboard, starting at about a
>> 45 degree angle and tilting down, much like the video ram on the G3
>> towers. At first, it just didn't want to go in. Eventually it did,
>> but the hold-down tab on the left side sacrificed itself in the
>> process. The other tab, in combination with the toothpick rig that I
>> put together, is certainly sufficient to hold the module in proper
>> position, but there's no joy.
>>
>> With the module in place, on startup, the machine goes through the
>> memory check (slowly) and then does a normal fire-up. Then, around
>> the time the desktop appears, a window pops up which says,
>> paraphrasing, that there is a problem with the memory module and it's
>> time to call in a tech. The machine perks along merrily with the
>> built in memory, ignoring the addition from that point.
>>
>> Yes, I went through several rounds of restarting, with and without
>> the module in place, with no happy result. Unfortunately, the
>> machine is in Birmingham, so my next trip there needs to be with a
>> certain fix.
>>
>> Bill
>>
>>
>> On Jan 5, 2006, at 3:19 PM, Jerry Freeman wrote:
>>
>>> What makes you think it's broken? Could it be that you just don't
>>> have the RAM properly seated? Does the new RAM show up on About this
>>> Mac? Did you take the new RAM out and reboot? Are you certain it's
>>> the correct RAM? :)...jf
>>>
>>> On Jan 5, 2006, at 3:03 PM, Bill Holt wrote:
>>>
>>>> If any of you have either a slot loading iMac or an eMac that's
>>>> collecting dust, and you'd like a Pentium machine of similar age
>>>> ... or two ... or three ... in exchange, please yell out.
>>>>
>>>> I attempted to add some memory to a friend's iMac several days ago,
>>>> and think I broke it. In any case, it won't recognize the new
>>>> memory and needs to do so to make good use of her new broadband
>>>> service. So I'm looking for a replacement, and the financial
>>>> situation indicates that barter is the preferred method of
>>>> exchange.
>>>>
>>>> Bill Holt
>>>>
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