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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Notebooks > Any experience with Kingmax Ram and Powerbooks?

Any experience with Kingmax Ram and Powerbooks?
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Tomster
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Aug 18, 2004, 03:05 AM
 
I took the plunge and ordered a 1 gig stick of Kingmax ram for my Powerbook. I recalled reading some good reviews on it in this forum, but the price just wasn't right yet. Well, the price just hit $201, so I decided to order at last. (from www.newegg.com)

After I ordered, I searched the forums and found that although some users had no problems whatsoever, others had constant kernel panics. Not a lot of fun doing the whole RMA dance.

Wanted to see what the general consensus was in regards to kernel panics. Also, does the added ram heat up the system? Lots of info on low heat versus non low heat ram and I really don't feel like baking my Powerbook.
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ViewSonic
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Aug 18, 2004, 04:56 PM
 
Kingmax RAM works great in my 15" 1.5. I got 2 x 512MB from my local Canada Computers (even though they are tough on returns), and i swapped them with the stock 2 x 256MB, and there were no problems whatsoever. I have never had a kernel panic, but then again I've only had the PowerBook for about 2 months.

If you're still not convinced, here's a page from teh Kingmax Australia site stating their compatibility with (17") PowerBooks:

http://www.kingmax.com.au/Index.asp?...=24&Loc=11Home
     
Tomster  (op)
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Aug 18, 2004, 05:31 PM
 
Thanks for the reply. Those are the 512mb sodimms. Any experience with the 1 gb version? Don't think there will be a timing issue with the ram but concerned there might be a thermal one.

Also there is this thread. 0/2 is not a good sign and I wondered it was just a fluke or if there was indeed something wrong. In any case, I will find out either by the end of this week or early next week.
Happily using a Mac since '89
MacPortable: 16Mhz 1meg/40meg System 6.0.8 - 16lbs Yeah baby!
Powerbook 17" 1.33Ghz 2GB/100GB 8x Superdrive
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wuzup101
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Aug 18, 2004, 06:04 PM
 
I was actually just about to post the same question. I will be ordering a stick from newegg tonight (I noticed the price drop last night as I check daily). I don't forsee it comming down much before this. Last time it came down in price (to about 210) it went back up the next day (to 225). Anyway, kingmax has always had good reviews in the PC world, so I'm not too concerned. There's also a posative powerbook review on the newegg site. I really wish I could justify spending $402 for 2 gigs of the stuff. Maybe by xmas it will come down more and I can buy another stick for my PB! Now if only I wouldn't have missed the deal for a 250gb firewire/usb Western Digital 7200rpm/8mb external drive last month for $197 w/ rebate. I'd like to add one of those to my collection also! Anyway, I'm going for it like you did... killer price!
Mac: 15" 1.5ghz PB w/ 128mb vid, 5400rpm 80gb, combo drive, 2gb ram
Peripherals: 20gb 4g iPod, Canon i950, Canon S230 "elph", Canon LIDE30, Logitech MX510, Logitech z5500, M-Audio Sonica Theater, Samsung 191T
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rmongold
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Aug 18, 2004, 11:18 PM
 
Originally posted by wuzup101:
I was actually just about to post the same question. I will be ordering a stick from newegg tonight (I noticed the price drop last night as I check daily). I don't forsee it comming down much before this. Last time it came down in price (to about 210) it went back up the next day (to 225). Anyway, kingmax has always had good reviews in the PC world, so I'm not too concerned. There's also a posative powerbook review on the newegg site. I really wish I could justify spending $402 for 2 gigs of the stuff. Maybe by xmas it will come down more and I can buy another stick for my PB! Now if only I wouldn't have missed the deal for a 250gb firewire/usb Western Digital 7200rpm/8mb external drive last month for $197 w/ rebate. I'd like to add one of those to my collection also! Anyway, I'm going for it like you did... killer price!
Isn't the stuff showing on NewEgg for $201.50 only PC2100? Their site's being somewhat sluggish now so I can't really delve any deeper, but if so, do you really want to put that in your 15" Powerbook (which uses PC2700)?
     
wuzup101
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Aug 19, 2004, 12:25 AM
 
Actually yes 2100 is the same price as 2700... 3200 is around $260ish a stick all by kingmax anyway...
Mac: 15" 1.5ghz PB w/ 128mb vid, 5400rpm 80gb, combo drive, 2gb ram
Peripherals: 20gb 4g iPod, Canon i950, Canon S230 "elph", Canon LIDE30, Logitech MX510, Logitech z5500, M-Audio Sonica Theater, Samsung 191T
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Tomster  (op)
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Aug 19, 2004, 02:26 AM
 
For some weird reason, the PC2700 ram is 50 cheaper than the PC2100. In any case, my order shipped but will not arrive until this coming Monday.

The current system is rock solid now and my uptime is determined my Apple Software Updates so it will be really simple to see if the new dimm is causing any issues. I'll probably run it for a day with just the 1 gb dimm to see what happens before adding back a stick of 512mb.
Happily using a Mac since '89
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Powerbook 17" 1.33Ghz 2GB/100GB 8x Superdrive
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Link
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Aug 19, 2004, 02:51 AM
 
You DO know you can stick PC2700 in a PC2100 machine right?
Aloha
     
Ryan1524
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Aug 19, 2004, 02:54 AM
 
half of my 1GB is a kingmax chip i got from CC, and it worked just fine.
Ryan
     
MrForgetable
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Aug 19, 2004, 03:31 AM
 
how fast can you expect it to ship with the free shipping from newegg?
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rmongold
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Aug 19, 2004, 08:07 AM
 
Originally posted by wuzup101:
Actually yes 2100 is the same price as 2700... 3200 is around $260ish a stick all by kingmax anyway...
Ah, very interesting. I couldn't get the site to come up for some reason.
     
Tomster  (op)
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Aug 20, 2004, 01:58 AM
 
Originally posted by MrForgetable:
how fast can you expect it to ship with the free shipping from newegg?
Depends on where you live. It is sent FedEx Express Saver. The horrible thing is my ram has arrived in my city but is not scheduled for delivery until Monday. Basically, it will be sitting in a warehouse over the weekend.
Happily using a Mac since '89
MacPortable: 16Mhz 1meg/40meg System 6.0.8 - 16lbs Yeah baby!
Powerbook 17" 1.33Ghz 2GB/100GB 8x Superdrive
Powerbook 12" 867Mhz 1.125GB/80GB 2xDVD-R RPC1
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wuzup101
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Aug 20, 2004, 02:37 AM
 
Newegg is generally one of the best places to deal with online. I've only heard one story where someone was really pissed at them (and it was partially his fault). Other than that they usually get great reviews... which they should. I've ordered over 5k of items from them in the past including parts for a complete PC build (totaling $2600) in one shot. My stuff has never taken more than like 3-4 days to get here even if shipped cross country. They also are pretty good about keeping the website updated stock wise - and products ship the next day.
Mac: 15" 1.5ghz PB w/ 128mb vid, 5400rpm 80gb, combo drive, 2gb ram
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Tomster  (op)
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Aug 20, 2004, 08:15 PM
 
CRAP! Well, to my displeasure, I have now concluded 1GB Kingmax ram does not play nice with a rev B 17" Powerbook. The specs are spot on with Apple's req's and it should work, but it does not. Constant kernel panics - not even a courtesy "hold down the power to restart," but just a hard lock up where everything freezes dead. Reminds me of the days of os 7-9. Got into the Finder for a few seconds one time to see that indeed System Profiler recognized it as PC 2700, but right after that, it locked up, just as stated in this thread.

As for newegg, great company. Great price and product to my door in two days. Too bad the product did not work. Let's see how their RMA policies are.

wuzup101: hope things turn out better for you!
Happily using a Mac since '89
MacPortable: 16Mhz 1meg/40meg System 6.0.8 - 16lbs Yeah baby!
Powerbook 17" 1.33Ghz 2GB/100GB 8x Superdrive
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MacbookPro 17" 2.33Ghz
     
Tomster  (op)
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Aug 20, 2004, 11:40 PM
 
Just a follow up. After the complete catastrophe with the 17" Powerbook, I figured I had nothing to lose and decided to put it into my 12" Powerbook. Worked flawlessly. Granted, PC2700 is way overspec for the rev A's PC2100 requirement, but I was glad to see it working. Now I have the weekend to decide if I really needed a a gig of ram in my 12" Powerbook.
Happily using a Mac since '89
MacPortable: 16Mhz 1meg/40meg System 6.0.8 - 16lbs Yeah baby!
Powerbook 17" 1.33Ghz 2GB/100GB 8x Superdrive
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MacbookPro 17" 2.33Ghz
     
wuzup101
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Aug 21, 2004, 02:59 AM
 
Just wondering if you tried it in both slots of your 17"? I've heard some people say that the first bank needs to be samsung or some other brand of chip (forget) and the second works fine with kingmax. Like I said, Kingmax has made a pretty good name for itself in the past. There might actually be a problem with powerbooks just being picky bastards

Anyway, I hope I don't suffer the same fate, as I'm not blessed enough to own 2 of these great machines . You mise well keep it in there... since pc2700 and pc2100 both run the same price currently...
Mac: 15" 1.5ghz PB w/ 128mb vid, 5400rpm 80gb, combo drive, 2gb ram
Peripherals: 20gb 4g iPod, Canon i950, Canon S230 "elph", Canon LIDE30, Logitech MX510, Logitech z5500, M-Audio Sonica Theater, Samsung 191T
PC: AMD "barton" XP @ 2.3ghz, 1gb pc3200, 9800pro 128mb, 120gb WD-SE 120gb
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wedgewood
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Aug 21, 2004, 04:15 AM
 
1GB Samsung/Hynix/Elpida only work in the first bank for 17 inch powerbook as far as I know. I have tested with my powerbook. Crucial? No it bring a kernel panic. I don't know other brand. For the second memory bank every memory works only if the first memory bank is installed with (Samsung/Hynix/Elpida)memory.
1.33 GHz 12" powerbook, 1.25GB
     
Tomster  (op)
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Aug 21, 2004, 01:39 PM
 
Originally posted by wuzup101:
Just wondering if you tried it in both slots of your 17"? I've heard some people say that the first bank needs to be samsung or some other brand of chip (forget) and the second works fine with kingmax. Like I said, Kingmax has made a pretty good name for itself in the past. There might actually be a problem with powerbooks just being picky bastards

Anyway, I hope I don't suffer the same fate, as I'm not blessed enough to own 2 of these great machines . You mise well keep it in there... since pc2700 and pc2100 both run the same price currently...
Thanks for the info. I tried the Kingmax in both slots, but by itself. Complete lock up whether in the standard or reversed position. I will be taking things apart and trying Samsung in the standard and Kingmax in the reversed. After the install, I will try to crank up memory usage so I will page out and be sure I am using the second dimm. If there are no lockups, things are good! Still bugs me that the ram could be slot specific, because it should work in both slots.

Results soon.
Happily using a Mac since '89
MacPortable: 16Mhz 1meg/40meg System 6.0.8 - 16lbs Yeah baby!
Powerbook 17" 1.33Ghz 2GB/100GB 8x Superdrive
Powerbook 12" 867Mhz 1.125GB/80GB 2xDVD-R RPC1
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Tomster  (op)
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Aug 21, 2004, 02:18 PM
 
Ok,a results are not good. Apple ram (samsung oem) in standard slot, Kingmax in reversed. Boots well and system profiler showed 1.5gb of ram. Started to open apps, and after the third app, everything locked up. Maybe this evening I will try Kinmax in standard and Samsung in reversed, but I highly doubt things will work.

The good thing about the experiment was it got me to remove the Kingmax ram out of the Powerbook and I will probably return it. 15% restock fee though. Guess $201 was too good to be true. Best of luck to everyone else. Hopefully their machines will not be as picky as mine.
Happily using a Mac since '89
MacPortable: 16Mhz 1meg/40meg System 6.0.8 - 16lbs Yeah baby!
Powerbook 17" 1.33Ghz 2GB/100GB 8x Superdrive
Powerbook 12" 867Mhz 1.125GB/80GB 2xDVD-R RPC1
MacbookPro 17" 2.33Ghz
     
Tomster  (op)
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Aug 23, 2004, 12:57 PM
 
Final Note: Called up newegg.com and explained the situation. Got my RMA number and they waived the 15% restocking fee. Fantastic company!
Happily using a Mac since '89
MacPortable: 16Mhz 1meg/40meg System 6.0.8 - 16lbs Yeah baby!
Powerbook 17" 1.33Ghz 2GB/100GB 8x Superdrive
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MacbookPro 17" 2.33Ghz
     
wuzup101
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Aug 24, 2004, 01:36 AM
 
Well today my order arrived from newegg and I slipped the 1gig sodimm into the outer memory slot in my 15" (latest rev) powerbook. I booted my powerbook and everything works flawlessly. I'm watching Napoleon Dynamite on it as we speak and I'm running about 5 other programs including Photoshop CS. I've been aplying various filters without a problem... works great. I don't know, maybe because mine's a newer machine it's working? I also ran Xbench, but because I'm new to Mac I can't tell how much that actually taxes the ram... worked fine though! Anyway, for the price, I'm definitely happy with my purchase... lol anyone want a 256mb stick?
Mac: 15" 1.5ghz PB w/ 128mb vid, 5400rpm 80gb, combo drive, 2gb ram
Peripherals: 20gb 4g iPod, Canon i950, Canon S230 "elph", Canon LIDE30, Logitech MX510, Logitech z5500, M-Audio Sonica Theater, Samsung 191T
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Tomster  (op)
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Aug 24, 2004, 07:32 PM
 
wuzup101: Glad things went well with your upgrade. Maybe the issue is just with the 17" Powerbooks as the last post about failure with the Kingmax also concerned a 17" unit. Got my RMA and will return the ram tomorrow.

On a tangental note, a 1 gig sodimm pc 2700 just hit $150 at outpost.com. Just ordered a stick of that and will see how that turns out. I'll report the brand and function when it arrives.
Happily using a Mac since '89
MacPortable: 16Mhz 1meg/40meg System 6.0.8 - 16lbs Yeah baby!
Powerbook 17" 1.33Ghz 2GB/100GB 8x Superdrive
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wuzup101
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Aug 24, 2004, 11:12 PM
 
Awesome... let me know how it goes... I would be interested in picking up another stick for that price!
Mac: 15" 1.5ghz PB w/ 128mb vid, 5400rpm 80gb, combo drive, 2gb ram
Peripherals: 20gb 4g iPod, Canon i950, Canon S230 "elph", Canon LIDE30, Logitech MX510, Logitech z5500, M-Audio Sonica Theater, Samsung 191T
PC: AMD "barton" XP @ 2.3ghz, 1gb pc3200, 9800pro 128mb, 120gb WD-SE 120gb
Xbox: 1.6, modded with X3 xecuter, slayers evoX 2.6, WDSE 120gb HDD
     
snowrider04
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Aug 25, 2004, 12:07 PM
 
i just ordered a 1G stick for my 15" Alum yesterday. after what i had read on this board and on the newegg.com site, i figured it was worth a shot for the price. i'm happy to hear that wazzup's experience is positive, that makes me feel good about my purchase. i'll be running photoshop and illustrator simultaneously and hope the added memory will have me crusing!

keeping my fingers crossed.

on another note: i've heard rumors of installing memory on your own voids out the Apple Care agreement. i read the aggreement last night and really only got that apple won't cover the 3rd party equipment or damage caused by 3rd party equipment. does this mean that if the screen dies or something messed up happens with the computer (even if it's not caused by the memory) my apple care is void and i won't be able to get it fixed?

any insight would be appreciated.
15" 1.5ghz Al-Book 128mb vid, 5400rpm 80gb, SuperDrive, 1.5G RAM
     
Tomster  (op)
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Aug 25, 2004, 03:11 PM
 
Good news at last. It was with some trepidation that I ordered another stick of 1 gig ram from outpost. After all, they were owned by Fry's and anyone who's ever dealt with Fry's knows what I mean.

Still, 150 for a gig of laptop ram was a steal - even with tax and overnight shipping, it came to a touch over 172. The ram was listed as a "premium" brand. It was listed as legacy electronics. Never heard of them. Installed the solo dimm in the standard slot, booted, and put the machine through its paces. No crashes yet. So, for a rather cheap price, I got my upgrade. Might even consider getting another one too.

Finally, I think this whole primary, secondary slot info alluded to earlier in this thread was leftover from the days of the TiBooks where the slots were directly on top of each other. There used to be double stacked dimms and those would only work in the secondary slot as they were too thick for the primary. The new laptop config made this distinction meaningless.

Hope Fry's/outpost still had more in stock at this price.
Happily using a Mac since '89
MacPortable: 16Mhz 1meg/40meg System 6.0.8 - 16lbs Yeah baby!
Powerbook 17" 1.33Ghz 2GB/100GB 8x Superdrive
Powerbook 12" 867Mhz 1.125GB/80GB 2xDVD-R RPC1
MacbookPro 17" 2.33Ghz
     
   
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