[jaimzedup]

I have a G4 1.33 iBook that keeps crashing. This happens about 2-3 times a day if not more. The crashes happen randomly at any given moment. Usually, I'm browsing the internet with Firefox and it was either randomly freeze or tell me to shut down for no reason. And when I crtl+option+power restart, it will make the restart noise but the screen will never turn on and I have to hold power to turn it off and then start it up again. These crashes have become very annoying and prevents me from getting any work done.

I'm also having problems waking it up from sleep. When I lift the lid to wake it up, the screen never comes on and I end up having to hold power and restart it.

Has anyone here resolved any similar problems, what did you do to fix this? Any suggestions?

FYI: The programs that I most frequently use are Firefox, Adium, and iTunes.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[cmeisenzahl]

Did you just install some new software? Or OS updates?

Chris

[jaimzedup]

Originally Posted by cmeisenzahl

Did you just install some new software? Or OS updates?

Chris

Nope

Although, I installed some extra memory (back in December 04). It was a 512mb unit, so it should be at a total memory of 768mb, but it only says that there is 512mb total. I don't know if that is related or not.

[seanc]

If you're supposed to have 768 mb ram and only 512 mb is showing up then you definitely have a ram problem.

You said you installed some ram back in december '04? This would make your iBook a 14" if it's 1.33ghz. iBooks only came with 256mb standard back then so it sounds like the onboard ram is faulty.

Try removing the extra ram you installed and see if it makes a difference.

[broxy5]

Talk to jamessherwood. He's having the same problem.

[jaimzedup]

Originally Posted by seanc

If you're supposed to have 768 mb ram and only 512 mb is showing up then you definitely have a ram problem.

You said you installed some ram back in december '04? This would make your iBook a 14" if it's 1.33ghz. iBooks only came with 256mb standard back then so it sounds like the onboard ram is faulty.

Try removing the extra ram you installed and see if it makes a difference.

The memory had always been reading 512mb instead of 768mb from the first month that I installed it. But it is only recently that I've been having crashing problems (it was fine before the last two months or so). Could this rule out the possibility of RAM problems? Could reseating the RAM module help the cause?

[Ji Eun]

you should have known something was amiss when some of your RAM didn't turn up in About This Mac. since this sounds like your onboard stuff is at fault, reseating the supplemental should have no effect, but of course you should try it anyways.
i had bad ram for 6 months, constant crashes and oddities before i finally diagnosed the problem. if you're under warranty / applecare get it taken care of, even if you're not, it shouldn't cost too much to have a certified tech replace the onboard, and this would be a good opportunity to upgrade that to 512 or 1gb even. could be a blessing in disguise. with a big enough boost it may even feel like a new machine. dig the bright side! and good luck.