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selowitch · Aug 28, 2006, 06:12 PM

I just got my iMac and I put in two SO-DIMMs from Mushkin. The system only recognizes one of them, the 1GB SO-DIMM in Bank 1:

Which of the two banks (with the iMac turned flat on its screen and rotated to face me) is #1?
How the heck are we supposed to remove and reseat the SO-DIMMs, since they are in there so tight? I hate to use a needlenoose pliers but I can't think of anything else that would work.

Mister Elf · Aug 28, 2006, 06:20 PM

Make sure they're both pushed in all the way. It may take more effort than you think.

To remove them, just pull on the plastic tabs that come out of the slots (THESE ARE NOT PARTS OF THE MEMORY - THEY BELONG TO THE iMAC)

selowitch · Aug 28, 2006, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Mister Elf

Make sure they're both pushed in all the way. It may take more effort than you think.

So it seems. Geez, I dunno. I pressed extra hard and they did "pop in." I can't imagine being able to push them in any further.

Originally Posted by Mister Elf

To remove them, just pull on the plastic tabs that come out of the slots (THESE ARE NOT PARTS OF THE MEMORY - THEY BELONG TO THE iMAC)

They don't come out far enough to be removed with my fingers. As I said, I'd hate to bring out the needlenose b/c I fear it could damage the circuit boards.

Which bank is Bank 1 and which is Bank 2?

jamil5454 · Aug 28, 2006, 09:20 PM

selowitch, I just got the same iMac you did, a week ago. I too went and picked up 2 SO-DIMMS to pop in, and the first time I put them in, I got the flashing light with a beep, indicating the system didn't recognize them. I VERY carefully pulled them with needle nose pliers (with duck tape on them to prevent scratching) just far enough to get ahold of them and pull them out. Then, I opened my iMac manual (which you should do too) and found out you have to put the RAM in the top slot first, push it all the way in and lock down the levers, then put the second stick into the bottom. It may feel like it's in all the way, but try pushing on the edges of the RAM one at a time to "wiggle" it in. It's a very tight fit.

After I followed the manual instructions for "replacing RAM", my 2GB worked flawlessly.

selowitch · Aug 28, 2006, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by jamil5454

After I followed the manual instructions for "replacing RAM", my 2GB worked flawlessly.

Good advice. I'll try that. Thanks.

kmkkid · Aug 29, 2006, 04:54 AM

I can't see why you couldn't pull out the tabs, they should hang out part way when the RAM is inserted, and push back in when the 'door' is reattached. Either you installed the RAM wrong and jammed the tabs, or the 'pull tabs' are faulty

You should NEVER use any metal tool when working around computer chips, especially needle-nose pliers, I can just hear the crunch *shutters*.

jamil5454 · Aug 30, 2006, 06:09 AM

Wait, so you can actually pull out on those levers and they will slide out? I tried pushing them open (slash apart) and it pops the RAM out, but not enough to get a good grasp on them.

selowitch · Aug 30, 2006, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by jamil5454

Wait, so you can actually pull out on those levers and they will slide out? I tried pushing them open (slash apart) and it pops the RAM out, but not enough to get a good grasp on them.

Yes, it seems that way to me, too. Perhaps I have the wrong SO-DIMMs? They seem a little too thick for the levers to pop them out properly.

jamil5454 · Aug 30, 2006, 10:45 AM

Nothing wrong with your SO-DIMMs, mine were that way too. Just make sure you get them in properly and hope you'll never have to take them out again.

selowitch · Aug 30, 2006, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by jamil5454

make sure you get them in properly and hope you'll never have to take them out again.

Originally Posted by Luke Skywalker

Lock the door ...

Originally Posted by Han Solo

... and hope they don't have blasters.

That isn't very reassuring.

This sucks. Here I am, a candidate for Apple Certified Technician, and I have to consider sending my iMac to an authorized dealer because I worry about screwing up the RAM installation? Is Apple's memory any thinner? Is there a good, nonconductive tool for pulling out memory modules?

kmkkid · Aug 30, 2006, 04:28 PM

1 GB modules are a very tight fit, and the tabs will feel like they are going to break the RAM when pulled, but be assured, they wont (unless of course you jammed the RAM in on an angle or some such silliness).