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SDW2000 · Jan 28, 2001, 10:45 AM

Hi everyone. I am an Appleinsider community member and could use a bit of help. Although I know my Pismo pretty well, I am going to perform my first do-it-yourself RAM upgrade...from 128 to 384.

In reading around a bit, it seems that I have two slots...one for low profile and the other for standard profile. I assume that the one that is in use is the standard profile? I am going to buy a single, 256MB module. But, if I buy a standard profile chip and that slot is in use...I am, well, F%%%%. So, does anyone know which one is in use from the factory (standard 128)? I will most likely NOT upgrade more than once asI will proably buy a G4 tower in the summer.

Also:

1) Are there any brands to avoid?
2) Anything I should know before doing it?
3) The low vs. high profile issue.

Thanks!

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rambo47 · Jan 28, 2001, 10:53 AM

In general Apple installs a 64 MB or 32 MB RAM chip in the lower slot. The lower slot takes the low profile module while the upper slot takes either. If you have a 128 MB now it's probably 64 MB in each slot, but you should take a peek before buying your new RAM module.

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[This message has been edited by rambo47 (edited 01-28-2001).]

SDW2000 · Jan 28, 2001, 10:57 AM

Is the lower slot the low profile slot?

No, it came with 128 standard. The middle Pismo config last year when it cam out was 500mhz/128 RAM.

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SDW2000 · Jan 28, 2001, 10:59 AM

Geez, how bout I read what you wrote next time......here is my real question:

So you think that if I have 128 standard that it is in the upper slot, thereby the standard profile slot? I am trying to figure out which type of module I need.

thanks again

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SDW2000 · Jan 28, 2001, 11:02 AM

Oh I see you edited it. Damn, so if I have 64 and 64....that means I will really upgrade to 320MB....not 384. Anyone else out there know....I wan tto be sure....I will also peek......which scares me a little to be honest

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rambo47 · Jan 28, 2001, 11:02 AM

Yes. The upper slot is for the high profile module. The lower slot is tucked away so space is a concern and only low profile will fit. You probably didn't read my post wrong - I edited it while you were writing! Seems I didn't read your post carefully.

------------------
"Wing Attack Plan R."
iDisk: rseijas
Homepage: homepage.mac.com/rseijas

rambo47 · Jan 28, 2001, 11:04 AM

Sometimes the Apple System Profiler will tell you what size RAM module is in each slot. Worth a shot.

------------------
"Wing Attack Plan R."
iDisk: rseijas
Homepage: homepage.mac.com/rseijas

SDW2000 · Jan 28, 2001, 11:08 AM

Location

SODIMMO/J2

Size

128MB

Type: SDRAM, PC-100322s

1. What does the 3-2-2-s mean....I know speed, but specifically?
2. What does the s mean at thend of the 3-2-2
3. what does "O/J2" mean under type?

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[This message has been edited by SDW2000 (edited 01-28-2001).]

SDW2000 · Jan 28, 2001, 09:03 PM

any other thoughts anyone?

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Jan 28, 2001, 09:38 PM

I just got two 256mb Low Profile SO-DIMMS (222 speed) from OWC (www.macsales.com) for $127 each. I got low profile because of resellability (can be used in either upper or lower slot) and compatibity with the new G4 Titanium PowerBooks (they require low profile). You'll pay a little bit more for low profile but you'll have more options in the future imo.

Just my 2 cents

Jan 28, 2001, 11:21 PM

i generaly would agree with the last poster, except i'd be concerned that within the next rev. or two, the powerbook might have the uma-2 motherboard which would require pc133 so-dimms...

Bugs Bunny · Jan 29, 2001, 12:31 AM

The Pismo does not use low profile memory in either slot. My Pismo G3 500 came with 128 megs ram standard config. The 128 chip is located in the lower slot, under the processor. If your Pismo came with 128 meg, ie. standard configuration, the 128 is in the lower slot. The previous PowerBooks, (Lombards), used low profile ram in the lower slot. So to answer your question, you would buy what size, (128 or 256, in your case), and that ram would be standard, (Not low profile) PC 100 ram, not PC 133. Most ram is of the 2-2-2 speed, some of the earlier Pismo 'Books came from Apple with the "slower" speed, (3-2-2) ram. Plus the low profile ram, is more expensive. I just bought 2-128 megs ram for my Pismo, and they were $44 each.

SDW2000 · Jan 29, 2001, 09:50 AM

Thanks all! I checked it out and sure enough I have 3-2-2 128 MB in the lower slot. The next question is, what is the best I can do on 2-2-2 memory (256 standard profile) and where can I get it?

I am currently seeing new memory on ebay for about $150 plus shipping, but from what I hear, I can pay less for the same quality. Thoughts?

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Bugs Bunny · Jan 29, 2001, 01:47 PM

Go here to check prices, http://www.ramseeker.com/, I bought from Memory to Go, good service, good price, 2-2-2 speed ram.

Divx · Jan 29, 2001, 03:16 PM

I would only buy from OWC - www.macsales.com - best prices, and the shipping turns out to almost be free after all is said and done - ive gone to the ramseeker site and tried whatever was the lowest at the time but getting a chip which wasn't the right size, speed etc isn't worth saving $14 dollars.

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Ti / 512mb / 20gig

dviant · Jan 29, 2001, 05:15 PM

bugs,

ahhh I must've been reading an older document or something and thought the Pismo required a low profile on the lower slot. Oh well, no big deal, the price difference on the 256mb modules I got was only about $10 anyway. This way I can use them when I pick a discounted G4 Titanium next year

.

Good point about the PC133, but somehow I don't think thats going to happen too soon. Perhaps I'm just losing faith in Apple but I'm thinking more like a "rev b" with a mhz boost and 16mb GeForce2Go sometime in the next 6 months if we're lucky?

Hlecter · Jan 30, 2001, 02:58 AM

Originally posted by Bugs Bunny:
The Pismo does not use low profile memory in either slot....

Bugs Bunny is right : check out http://www.ramjet.com/pbg3n.asp on Pismo slots.

PurpleGiant · Jan 30, 2001, 07:01 AM

umm, don't the new powerbooks have a book on installing ram? my pb g3/333 came with a small book from apple which had pictures and text on exactly how to install ram, i followed them to install and extra 128mb, simple as!!

SDW2000 · Jan 30, 2001, 08:38 AM

Well I ordered 256MB standard profile from OWC. It is Pc-100, 2-2-2.
Price $18.99!!!!!!

I cannot believe how cheap RAM has gotten. In 1996, I upgraded a wintel box form 8 to 16 MB. Istalled, it cost over $80.00....and that was considered good!

Yes, my Pismo came with the manual---included is how to install the RAM. I did a trial run to see....it seems pretty easy although getting the heat shield off was a bit hairy (a little resistence).

thanks all.

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Hlecter · Jan 30, 2001, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by SDW2000:
Well I ordered 256MB standard profile from OWC. It is Pc-100, 2-2-2.
Price $18.99!!!!!!

Is that $18.XX as in eighteen ??? I bought mine two weeks ago for $128 ( 256 Mb SO-DIMM PC-100 2-2-2)

SDW2000 · Jan 30, 2001, 01:38 PM

No, no....my fault.....damn I'd be mad if I were you and that was the case...it is supposed to say $118.99...that is what happens when you are sick and up at 6:30am.

118.99 is damn good price, wouldn't you say?

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adamk · Jan 30, 2001, 03:48 PM

hi,

i wast just looking at macsales.com and they offer a 512mb ram module. i thought that the maximum ram a powerbook could take was 512mb. but it seems that you could get 1g of ram on a firewire powerbook. it says in the description that the module would fit in either the lower or upper slot.

adam