[va3uxb]

I have a 12" iBook G4 / 800MHz, running Panther with all the latest updates. About 2 weeks after I got it, I put in a 512MHz SODIMM (made by kingston).

In the 10 days since then, it's crashed about 6 or 7 times. When it crashes, it's like a total freeze. Mouse doesn't work, command-option-escape doesn't work, closing the display doesn't put it to sleep, nothing! The only way I can restore it is holding the power button for 10 seconds to shut it down, then turning it back on. When I check the logs, there is nothing in there about the crash.

After the first time this happened, I removed and reseated the memory, figuring maybe I didn't do it right. This didn't solve the problem though. I have also used the hardware diagnostic CD that came with the iBook and did both quick and thorough testing, but it came up with no errors.

The iBook didn't have any problems before I put the memory in, so I do think it's got something to do with that memory module. Other than the memory, and an airport extreme card, the iBook is stock.

I'm wondering if the 512 SODIMM is too tight under the keyboard, like maybe some pressure between it and the airport card and the keyboard is doing something? Or Is there anything else I should look at, or does it sound like I have a bad memory stick?

p.s. the memory module was the one recommended by Kingston for the iBook G4; although it is labeled for a powerbook, it is PC2100 / 266MHz.

[Applefreak01]

I would send it back and get another 512MB stick.

I got mine for my G3 900MHz iBook from http://www.4allememory.com and haven't had any problems with it.

I wouldn't think the pressure from the airport card or keyboard would cause it to crash. I had an extra 64MB in my iMac and it would boot fine and work find until the OS or any other application would use that 64MB. The only reseason I know this is because I took that 64MB out and the iMac would work just fine but use the hard drive to virtual memory but as soon as I put the 64MB back in and ran the iMac for a while it would crash.

When I got 10.3 and went to install in on the iMac, I couldn't it would crash. So I took the 64MB stick out and then 10.3 installed just fine. So that 64MB stick although it was reconized by the iMac and worked for awhile was still bad.

[ccsccs7]

My mom's Powerbook did the same thing. She got it used with some 3rd party memory installed. It would crash when loading a program at times (made Safari look bad), when accessing certain directories or loading the login window or Finder (needed to repair permissions quite often to fix that). I took out the memory and — although it was "thrashing it's brains out" — it was more stable. She got another RAM module in and it hasn't crashed since.

[fener]

Thats because the company shipped you the PC2100 ram with wrong configuration. The G4 in iBook require two lined memory sticks (Same thing happened to me with Crucial.)

I know you will be losing a week, and angry. Just call the company, make them ship the correct configured ram.

Regards,

Originally posted by va3uxb:
I have a 12" iBook G4 / 800MHz, running Panther with all the latest updates. About 2 weeks after I got it, I put in a 512MHz SODIMM (made by kingston).

In the 10 days since then, it's crashed about 6 or 7 times. When it crashes, it's like a total freeze. Mouse doesn't work, command-option-escape doesn't work, closing the display doesn't put it to sleep, nothing! The only way I can restore it is holding the power button for 10 seconds to shut it down, then turning it back on. When I check the logs, there is nothing in there about the crash.

After the first time this happened, I removed and reseated the memory, figuring maybe I didn't do it right. This didn't solve the problem though. I have also used the hardware diagnostic CD that came with the iBook and did both quick and thorough testing, but it came up with no errors.

The iBook didn't have any problems before I put the memory in, so I do think it's got something to do with that memory module. Other than the memory, and an airport extreme card, the iBook is stock.

I'm wondering if the 512 SODIMM is too tight under the keyboard, like maybe some pressure between it and the airport card and the keyboard is doing something? Or Is there anything else I should look at, or does it sound like I have a bad memory stick?

p.s. the memory module was the one recommended by Kingston for the iBook G4; although it is labeled for a powerbook, it is PC2100 / 266MHz.

[nVelli]

I have exactly the same problem with the Kingston 512mb memory stick and 12.1" G4 iBook.

I'm currently sending the stick back to dealer.

Why do they sell the same memory for iBook and PBook if it won't work with iBook?

What is two lined memory stick?

[va3uxb]

Thanks for all the suggestions and info. I sent an email to Kingston, and I sent an email to the dealer, describing the situation.

Kingston's tech support replied within about 12 hours, gave me a toll-free number (and an extension) to call and a reference number. When I called, the tech answered the phone in person. He asked a few more questions then passed me over to the RMA department. They're couriering up a replacement and I have a number to send them the faulty unit - on their courier account.

They didn't explicitly say there was a known problem or a known incompatibility, but did sound like they were suspecting that. They wanted to know the name on the actual chips, and some production numbers from the module's label.

So, although it's been a little annoying having to put up with the crashes and now the delay of getting the replacement, I give Kingston two-thumbs-up for their handling of the situation. The techsupport and RMA process has been painless.

-Stephanie

p.s. Still waiting to get even an acknowledgement from the dealer, to my email. MacWareouse aka MicroWareouse aka What-does-customer-support-mean?

[ghporter]

I've seen some issues recently (here on these forums) about some iBooks working OK with one type of RAM but not with another. It seemed to be related to the "density" of the chips on the DIMMs-sticks with "high density" chips (fewer chips to handle the specific memory size) gave some iBooks problems, while the lower density chips (more chips on the stick) worked without any problem. I didn't see anything that indicated the issue was specific to a certain logic board revision or anything else.

Anyway, Kingston was noted as having shipped "suitable substitute" parts for iBooks, and sometimes they worked, when other times they didn't. Everything I read said that Kingston made things right when problems were brought to their attention.