[uicandrew]

hi guys. I bought a 20" intel imac. it is a cto (256mb vram) but i bought it from b&h, which sells custom configs (like small dog and la computer).

it came with 1 stick of 1gb ram (installed by apple)

i just discovered that the lower ram slot is defective. i tried putting the factory installed ram in the lower slot and the computer didn't boot. the sleep light blinked at me (not blink as in sleep, but this was rapid blinking).

i put the ram back in the top slot and it works fine again.

my question is this:

The ram issue doesn't bother me. But i know i will want to get the ram upgraded eventually (maybe 6 months or a year from now.

I don't want to send the iMac back right now because I need to use the Mac regularly for the next 2.5 months. Also, given the build times on the custom order 20" intel iMacs, who knows when i'll get it back. (even a replacement)

However, I would like to report it now while i still have the one free phone call to apple support within the 90 days.

can i call apple and let them know about the situation, but not send it in for a couple months?

Do they send you a shipping box for the iMac and who pays for shipping?

Edit: there is no Apple store or authorized service center that I can take it to. (how do i find an authorized service center? is there a place where i can input my zip code?)

[dn15]

Do you have an Apple Store or Apple-authorized service center nearby? If so, you can just take it there and avoid shipping entirely. Maybe they would be able to order the logic board in (or maybe the actual Apple Stores stock the parts?) and replace it in-house.

[ciparis]

I would give the finicky slot one more try, this time pressing in on the RAM *after* sliding the levers back in place. Even with Apple RAM, these slots are much more hit-and-miss than any other Mac to date. I have seen many failed boots with the exact blinking light problem you describe, and none of them have been a result of a hardware problem other than not quite being seated fully in the slot (even though they look like they are).

From an earlier post:

Here's the trick:
1) Make sure you have the iMac lying down (use a clean soft towel or similar). Gravity may cause problems otherwise, even if you have perfect access.
2) Remove the RAM door.
3) Gently insert the RAM (don't force it), make sure it's even (if it snags on the sides, pull it out slightly and straighten, then try again), and after it's all the way in, slowly guide the levers closed
4) THEN -- especially (but not only) with Aftermarket RAM -- gently press the RAM farther into the slot(s). You may see it slide in a bit farther. If you do: congratulations, you probably just prevented a failed boot.
5) Carefully close the RAM cover.

[uicandrew]

dn15, wow. i never thought about the service centers. There isn't an apple store within 3 hours of me, but there is one about 1 hour away from me.

how does something like this (service centers) work? Do i get a diagnosis over the phone and tell the service center what apple tells me?

i want to minimize the number of trips to the applestore.
Is a logic board something that they can replace in-store while i wait? (the service center is in a small town so it's not like there's a big crowd.

[uicandrew]

ciparis. I tried pushing the ram in further on the bottom slot.

That had different results. when i turned on the imac, there was no "mac chime" but the sleep light stayed lit (solidly).

does the top slot HAVE to be filled with ram?

[ciparis]

Either slot should work fine. I've seen both blinking and steady lights (both usually indicate poorly seated RAM in this situation), and sometimes it can take several tries before you get it seated well, especially if you aren't used it. I'd still give it another shot.

- slide it in fully
- close the levers while still holding it in
- then press gently but firmly to slide it further in