Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Teris · Mar 24, 2005, 08:52 PM

So the good news is that I got my Power Mac! The bad news is that I can't install the RAM I got from Crucial.

I have a G5 dual 2.5. I ordered 6 Gigs of RAM. The RAM won't fit properly into the slots - that is, the ejectors won't close onto the sides of the RAM. I called Crucial, but they're closed. Anyone know if they just sent me the wrong RAM or I'm doing something wrong?

The RAM they sent is as follows: "1GB DDR 400 CL3"
On the outside of each bag, it states: "1GB 184 Pin Unbuff DIMM 128MX64 DDR 3200" "CT12864Z40B.16TD2"

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Lateralus · Mar 24, 2005, 09:09 PM

...are you pushing down until the RAM snaps in?

Teris · Mar 24, 2005, 09:18 PM

I'm pushing pretty hard - the outside edges of the new RAM line up with the other RAM already in the computer, so it seems like the ejectors should snap shut, but they don't. Also, when I click on the Apple icon in the upper left of my screen and check the computer, it still only says I have two RAM chips intalled.

Crucial picked this RAM, not me. So I expected that it would just snap into place easily.

Big Mac · Mar 25, 2005, 02:27 AM

As Lateriaus says, you have to push down with a fair amount of force. If the module is not snapping in on both sides at once, just snap it in on one side and then push down on the other. I had a lot of trouble installing RAM when I first got my G5 - I expected both sides to lock into place at the same time. Instead, one side would lock but not the other, and I had not experienced that before with other Macs. The modules I got were stiff and required insertion on one side followed by insertion on the other. Although you're naturally prone to do so, don't worry about the motherboard. As long as you've gotten PC3200 modules and you're inserting them so that the notches matches the gaps on the slots, you're doing the right thing. If you're inserting the module facing the other way, it will not fall as far into the slot, and you'll realize that. Just follow my recommendation and you'll eventually get it. But if it's causing too much stress you can always take it a service rep. . .

Maflynn · Mar 25, 2005, 06:18 AM

I was surprised at how I had to get my memory into the G5. I thought I was going to break the motherboard. In one sense its a tricky operation. First you need to apply enough force to get the memory into the holder but not enough to crack the logic board.

I found laying the G5 flat on the ground (ensuring that I'm grounded and no static electricty), I then slowly worked the card in examining it as I pushed it in making sure its going in straight and seated correctly.

Mike

Chito · Mar 25, 2005, 06:28 AM

Laying the computer on it's side makes it easier. When I first got my G5 I laid it on it's side and put an extra gig of Crucial ram in. I just snaped another gig in last night and had the computer standing up, because I just didn't want to take the time to disconnect everything, and standing up it was "MUCH" harder. You do have to use a fair amount of nerve racking force to get them to snap in. But they did and all is well.

Briareus · Mar 25, 2005, 09:14 AM

I just put another pair of Crucial 512s in my G5 a couple days ago. Yes, they do require a fair bit of force to snap into place, but another obvious thing to remember is to make sure the chips are facing the right way

If your machine is not lying on it's side and you're working under a good amount of light, it's pretty easy to try to put them in backwards. The indentations in the RAM are just slightly off center, but not so much that it's a visual no-brainer which way they should go.

Teris · Mar 25, 2005, 11:47 AM

Well, you guys were right. Those things were REALLY tough to get in there. Locking the RAM in one side, then the other worked best. And I had to turn the computer on its side or I never would've been able to get them in. Thanks all!

(Sorry to have such a bone-headed problem!)

bighead · Mar 25, 2005, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by Teris:
Well, you guys were right. Those things were REALLY tough to get in there. Locking the RAM in one side, then the other worked best. And I had to turn the computer on its side or I never would've been able to get them in. Thanks all!

(Sorry to have such a bone-headed problem!)

When I got my hands on my first G5 for a RAM install, I didn't insert them all the way for fear of breaking the board. You're not the only one. It's safe to press harder, provided the unit is laying on its side.

Big Mac · 01:11 PM

Originally posted by Maflynn:
I was surprised at how I had to get my memory into the G5. I thought I was going to break the motherboard. In one sense its a tricky operation. First you need to apply enough force to get the memory into the holder but not enough to crack the logic board.

I found laying the G5 flat on the ground (ensuring that I'm grounded and no static electricty), I then slowly worked the card in examining it as I pushed it in making sure its going in straight and seated correctly.

Mike

Not to worry, a service technician told me that as long as it's the right type of RAM you really can't break the slot or otherwise damage the board with excessive force. As opposed to cheap PC manufacturers, Apple does things right, ensuring that the boards are properly mounted and will not flex under pressure. If you were trying to install the RAM with the G5 standing up, there's no way you would ever have the leverage to insert the RAM properly. If I recall the instructions in the manual, Apple advises that you place a hand under the case while inserting, but I tried that and it did not help. You expect the RAM to lock in on both sides, but once you know that you have to do one then the other you should not have a problem. And if it's any consolation, once you know how G5 RAM installation works, it will be much easier to do the next time around.

You know, I wish Apple would have stayed with the way older Macs installed their RAM. Macs that accepted SIMMs instead of DIMMs had a really easy installation process. You would put the RAM in at an angle and then easily pull it up so that it would snap vertically into place. G5 RAM installation does seem to be different from even G4s, but again, once you know how to do it, it's really quite easy.

Jo�o L�cio · Mar 26, 2005, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by Teris:
I'm pushing pretty hard - the outside edges of the new RAM line up with the other RAM already in the computer, so it seems like the ejectors should snap shut, but they don't. Also, when I click on the Apple icon in the upper left of my screen and check the computer, it still only says I have two RAM chips intalled.

Crucial picked this RAM, not me. So I expected that it would just snap into place easily.

Newer modules are shorter than the original G5 modules. I have two upgrades from Crucial on my G5 and the first was the same height as the original modules but the last one was shorter and it can seem that you're pushing them all the way down but you should be able to push it a little furder. In doubt, take one of the original modules out and compare ther height. Then see if the new modules are shorter, or not.

If the RAM is not pushed all the way down they don't work, so the system can't recognize them.