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Webscreamer · Feb 13, 2003, 03:07 PM

I have a PowerMac G4 400 AGP. I have 3 ram slots filled out of the 4. Well, a friend today gave me his 256 chip from his PM G4 400 AGP. It worked perfectly for him. I brought it home and it doesn't work!!?!?!?!

It says the slot is empty. I also pulled all other chips out and just put that in and tried to start up, I just had a beep when I pushed power and just sat there!

Help!! Any ideas?

kentuckyfried · Feb 13, 2003, 03:31 PM

^ My G3 is currently having 256 DIMM problems. Tech support I'm one in a handful of people who run into it, even though the memory's supposed to work. Higher chance if you go for cheapest memory possible.

Webscreamer · Feb 13, 2003, 04:10 PM

But why would it work on his and not mine?! It is like exactly the same computer!

Any things I can try?

reader50 · Feb 13, 2003, 04:10 PM

DIMM First Aid

If it can't fix the DIMM, it can at least tell you what's wrong with it.

Webscreamer · Feb 13, 2003, 04:49 PM

Ok, I ran the application, and it gave me an error. it said that it can't repair it though.

Still; don't get why it would work on his, and not mine. I couldn't have broken it on the way home?!?! I was very careful

D'Espice · Feb 14, 2003, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by Webscreamer:
Ok, I ran the application, and it gave me an error. it said that it can't repair it though.

Still; don't get why it would work on his, and not mine. I couldn't have broken it on the way home?!?! I was very careful

Apparantly he has a newer logicboard or another firmware so his computer does recognize the DIMM whereas yours doesn't.

Webscreamer · Feb 14, 2003, 04:43 PM

Actually his computer is older! I got mine about 6 months later

D'Espice · Feb 14, 2003, 04:46 PM

It doesn't make any difference, yours might be an older revision or firmware, check the latter

Webscreamer · Feb 14, 2003, 05:22 PM

well, mine has a new revision motherboard. Shouldn't the firmware be the same? Both are running X, so they must be.

Back up 15 and punt · Feb 14, 2003, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by Webscreamer:
Ok, I ran the application, and it gave me an error. it said that it can't repair it though.

Still; don't get why it would work on his, and not mine. I couldn't have broken it on the way home?!?! I was very careful

The first question I would like to ask you is, did you use a grounding strap while installing this memory. You should always use a grounding strap. If you didn't then the static charge could have damaged the memory chip. I would also recommend that you take the memory back to your friends computer and see if it still works in his.

Webscreamer · Feb 14, 2003, 05:36 PM

No, I didn't use any grounding thing, or a static proof bag ;0

I am going to take it back and see...

reader50 · Feb 14, 2003, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by Webscreamer:
Ok, I ran the application, and it gave me an error. it said that it can't repair it though.
...

What was the error message?

tr · Feb 14, 2003, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by Webscreamer:
No, I didn't use any grounding thing, or a static proof bag ;0

I am going to take it back and see...

while it wouldn've been good to use a grounding strap, it's not really a neccesity. ESD damage on IC's is usually cumulative, i.e. one shock = maybe some damage/maybe not , many shocks = fried

i'd check the firmware revision thing...awhile back , when there was G4 firmware update, and i rermember some people updating, and then having some problem with certain dimms.

tr

tooki · Feb 14, 2003, 07:45 PM

Originally posted by Back up 15 and punt:
The first question I would like to ask you is, did you use a grounding strap while installing this memory. You should always use a grounding strap. If you didn't then the static charge could have damaged the memory chip. I would also recommend that you take the memory back to your friends computer and see if it still works in his.

To static grounding straps, I say "yeah, whatever." I've never seen a tech shop actually use them. It's sufficient to leave the computer plugged in (so that it remains grounded) and to touch the chassis occasionally while working on it.

You should, however, use antistatic bags (or, failing that, a non-plastic package such as a paper envelope) for transport. Never use a regular ziploc bag, they are very statickey.

It's more likely that the module you have is out-of-spec and that your G4 has the newer firmware that's less tolerant of such RAM.

tooki

Cipher13 · Feb 14, 2003, 11:55 PM

Originally posted by tooki:
To static grounding straps, I say "yeah, whatever." I've never seen a tech shop actually use them. It's sufficient to leave the computer plugged in (so that it remains grounded) and to touch the chassis occasionally while working on it.

You should, however, use antistatic bags (or, failing that, a non-plastic package such as a paper envelope) for transport. Never use a regular ziploc bag, they are very statickey.

It's more likely that the module you have is out-of-spec and that your G4 has the newer firmware that's less tolerant of such RAM.

tooki

Ditto. Static straps are overrated.

I hate to ask, but was the RAM seated correctly?

Did you try it in other slots? You might have a dead RAM slot...

You mentioned a "beep" - those are beep codes - how many beeps were there?

Webscreamer · Feb 15, 2003, 12:06 AM

Yes, it was seated correctly and tried many different slots.

When i started up I had one beep(same as firmware update beep, but shorter). Then my power button changed colors every few seconds

tooki · Feb 15, 2003, 03:21 PM

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=95050 says "The Power Mac G4 computer beeps once at startup. One beep means that no RAM is installed or detected."

tooki

Webscreamer · Feb 15, 2003, 03:40 PM

Exactly.. Sys Profile says that slot is empty too. I can keep the ram in and have my other stuff in there too and it works... just shows it empty slot