Mac Pro flashing powerlight solved: Bad Transcend RAM

[digiegg]

Figure this would be a good post for people who might have this problem.
The other day, I turned on my Mac Pro (early 2008) and the power LED kept flashing once per second. I found out this was a RAM issue.
I tried the Apple + alt + p + r
and it got it working about 3 times then it didn't work at all after.
I tried removing the trays one by one to see which had one had bad RAM and it was Transcend RAMS that were causing the issues. I have 3 brands of different memory (samsung, imemory or something... etc) and this was the only one that failed.
Just thought people have similar problems or are looking to buy new RAM should consider a second thought before Transcend.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I think Macs are pretty picky about RAM so I'm surprised the other hasn't failed. I try to stick with Crucial and Apple's Samsung myself.

 

[appleguy123]

What is does RAM do when it fails? How does it happen?

 

[akadmon]

All my RAM is by Transcend. No problems whatsoever for the past 3 years (other than one stick becoming unseated while I was jostling my MP during the installation of the Radeon 4870)

You shouldn't have to remove any RAM sticks for diagnostic purposes. There are LEDs on the risers (at least on the early MPs), which light up when a RAM stick is bad or not seated properly.

 

[Santabean2000]

Is Transcend a well-known, reliable brand for RAM? (apart from this specific case in OP's)

 

[digiegg]

Maybe I just had bad luck with these two sticks.
Mine were all seated properly. Everything was working fine till one day it just stopped.
When RAM fails on a Mac Pro, the power LED will flash and you won't hear any DING sounds at the beginning.