[olePigeon]

Howdy,

Applications on my PowerBook just suddenly started crashing left and right. I was trying to download Battlestar and BitTorrent would unexpectedly quit after about 2 minutes. Then Safari would randomly die after viewing websites for only a couple minutes.

So on a hunch I ran the AHT. The only time I've had a computer crash over and over is because of bad RAM. So, yup, one of my RAM modules reported an error. Doesn't affect me, it has a life-time warranty and it's a Kingston. They'll probably replace it.

However, after removing the the bad RAM module, I ran the test again. Memory passed fine with just the one module in it, but then I got to the Video Memory and it errored out:

2DIS/16/2

Any of you guys Apple Certified, can you look that code up for me? I'm heading down to my local Apple Store on Wednesday, anyway, but I wanted to get an opinion before I drove all the way down there.

OK, but here's the weird thing. My brother lost his battery at one point (took it out, didn't know what he did with it) and so I gave him mine and I bought a new one. We both have 15" PowerBooks. Unfortunately he didn't buy an Apple Warranty, didn't have the money, and a little while ago the bottom RAM slot on his PB died. It can't "talk" to the memory.

On mine, the memory module on the bottom slot is the one that was reported corrupted, and now, my video memory gets an error.

We both used this battery, and it turns out it was a Sony battery that was recalled. I've already sent in and gotten my battery replaced, but does anyone know if a battery like that could cause a surge of some sort? Kill off the RAM?

Seems far fetched, but I thought I'd ask. We both used that bad battery for an extensive amount of time. I already brought it up with an Apple Genius, and he said it wasn't possible. *shrug*

Thanks,

oP

[seanc]

Well 15" are prone to bottom memory slot failures. I think Apple have acknowledged this and will replace it for free which will address both issues at the same time.

I think the batter is a coincidence otherwise we'd be hearing a lot more stories about hardware failures due to them.

Edit: Here's the link to Apples site About the PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.67/1.5GHz) Memory Slot Repair Extension Program

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by seanc 

Well 15" are prone to bottom memory slot failures. I think Apple have acknowledged this and will replace it for free which will address both issues at the same time.

I think the batter is a coincidence otherwise we'd be hearing a lot more stories about hardware failures due to them.

Edit: Here's the link to Apples site About the PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.67/1.5GHz) Memory Slot Repair Extension Program

Holy cow! Awesome, thanks! That's exactly what happened to my brother's laptop, his memory slot died. I had no idea about that. Thanks a million, he'll be thrilled (and I am too, he'll save $400.)

[seanc]

You're welcome. I thought the RAM slot failure was widely known now, apparently not.

On a slightly related note, I've just bought a 12" PB, see sig, that should be here tomorrow for £250. It's kernel panicking left and right and i'm hoping that if I replace the 1gb module thats in there, it'll stop, otherwise i'm screwed.

[olePigeon]

We just checked his laptop, and his SN isn't in range (W8432). But that's exactly the problem. The first time it did the 3 beeps and slept. Now the slot just doesn't work, exactly described on the webpage.

I just hope we can get it fixed anyway.

[seanc]

I hope they fix it. Was it a refurb? That could be a reason for the serial number being different.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by seanc 

I hope they fix it. Was it a refurb? That could be a reason for the serial number being different.

I don't remember if it was refurbed or not. I'll have to ask him. Thanks.