Broken tabs that hold RAM in place

[mk11b]

Soooo first time mac owner here and I watched a few youtube videos and decided I'd replace my own ram. Now I'm reasonably experienced with fiddling with computers, (mostly desktops though) and I thought it looked pretty straightforward.

So coming out was easy, putting in however...

I couldnt get the bottom one to click when I pressed down so I kept taking it out and putting it in and trying.
eventually I heard a click... it was the left tab breaking. So I put it all back together and much to my amazement it still works, and it recognizes the new upgraded memory.

I'm curious as to whether anybody has had a similar experience because I know that it part of the logic board and it would cost a bundle to fix. So I might just see how this goes.

And if anybody has any advice on how I could fix this should it start diarrhea-ing all over itself.

Thanks for the input.

 

[7254278]

This just happened to me while upgrading my ram. . . The top chip rests against the aluminum case now because its tilted upwards with nothing holding it down. The macbook pro turns on and reads the ram fine but I am wondering if I can fry my computer now because the ram chip literally resting against the inside of the macbook pro's aluminum case bottom. . . .

Any ideas?

 

[simox1]

The tab can, I think, be changed in an Apple Store !
But you'll have to pay for it because you broke it (no more warranty)

 

[7254278]

The tab can, I think, be changed in an Apple Store !
But you'll have to pay for it because you broke it (no more warranty)

Considering leaving it as is, if things seem to keep working. . . Not cautious I know but so far so good. . .

 

[RedReplicant]

I'd probably get some tape to keep it held down.

 

[Takashi]

I would get it fixed. The tabs hold the memory down. Unless your macbook pro will stay in 1 spot (i.e. you will never move it), there is always a chance that the RAM will get dislodged and shot circuit something.

Alternatively, you can always try to super glue the damaged tabs and see if it works, but you will have to leave your computer off for the glue to dry.

 

[Zofia]

so did the glue work? same thing happen to me cause, but im sacre about trying to glue it and then my finger will get stuck whne the computer starts warming up, typical girl fears

 

[Takashi]

so did the glue work? same thing happen to me cause, but im sacre about trying to glue it and then my finger will get stuck whne the computer starts warming up, typical girl fears

Use a pair of tweezers and crazy glue (the ones that set within 30 seconds and dry in a day) to glue the tabs back into place. Make sure you dry fit them first (i.e. fit w/o any glue) and read the instructions on the bottle on how to use the glue.

 

[Zofia]

Thanks a lot Takashi, i will try it out, for sure i will read the instructions on the glue bottle lolol, if it works out Redreplicant and Patmian u guys should try it out as well, will give u feedback on the outcome of the tab and the condition of my fingers

 

[iMacDragon]

As long as one side is being held down, it'll probably be 'ok'.

 

[Zofia]

got it to work

This just happened to me while upgrading my ram. . . The top chip rests against the aluminum case now because its tilted upwards with nothing holding it down. The macbook pro turns on and reads the ram fine but I am wondering if I can fry my computer now because the ram chip literally resting against the inside of the macbook pro's aluminum case bottom. . . .

Any ideas?

so ginally i got it to work but there is somethinng wrong still, seems that now the tab does other functions also lol

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so ginally i got it to work but there is somethinng wrong still, seems that now the tab does other functions also lol

ok my computer is nuts now, i dont think it got high on glue, sorry patmian212

 

[iMacC2D]

Removed.

 

[rebby]

I wish i'd been around these forums earlier. For future reference, customers with machines that are covered by Apple's Limited Warranty, AppleCare Protection Plan or other Apple Extended Warranty should contact Apple in the event of this occurring. I have heard of instances where Apple will honour the warranty on the logic board in this case as I presume that memory tab issues, with memory being a user replaceable part, do occur to some degree. If the machine is out of warranty, it would be a stretch to have it covered.

None of this is for certain and this one post certainly isn't to be taken as hard evidence, but it never hurts to give Apple a quick call. You never know if you may be lucky in such instances.

Otherwise, excellent for everyone in this thread that's managed to perform a successful repair to their memory slots.

I second this approach. It never hurts to ask before taking out the super glue. You never know... After it's glued however, the answer is almost certainly going to be NO every time.

 

[jonnizz]

Use a pair of tweezers and crazy glue (the ones that set within 30 seconds and dry in a day) to glue the tabs back into place. Make sure you dry fit them first (i.e. fit w/o any glue) and read the instructions on the bottle on how to use the glue.

I had the exact same problem while upgrading to 16gb with mine. glue wont work, there is too much tension , even if is a tiny piece. What i did was placing the ram bar the best i could and then duck-taped a little of folded paper to give the pressing needed and to not be in direct contact with the body casing. It worked.
The only bad thing that has happened to me is when i move my mac too much i get sometimes the 3 beeps of the loose ram. im looking for a way to replace the piece myself, but its profing to not be very easy to find, i think i will really get it replaced/serviced, because it IS a portable mac, not one to seat only in one place.