Problems installing RAM in 2020 iMac

[hakr100]

So, I got my new iMac today. Came with 8GB of RAM. Pulled them out, installed four identical new RAM sticks for a total of 64GB. Installed then properly; I've done this for previous iMacs. Pushed button to turn on iMac. Nothing. Machine would not turn on. Dead as doornail. These are new RAM chips, sourced from OWC. Pulled the chips out, put the two OEM chips that came with the machine back in. Mzchine booted up. Grrrrr. Pulled the chips out again, put in the new chip sticks. NADA. So I must be doing something wrong or leaving out a step, right? So, what am I doing wrong or not doing?

 

[richmlow]

Perhaps defective RAM from OWC?

Take out the original RAM and install only 16GB of OWC, testing each 16GB RAM stick (OWC) one at a time.

Then, you can isolate which (if any) of the four 16GB RAM (OWC) are defective.

Good luck!


richmlow

So, I got my new iMac today. Came with 8GB of RAM. Pulled them out, installed four identical new RAM sticks for a total of 64GB. Installed then properly; I've done this for previous iMacs. Pushed button to turn on iMac. Nothing. Machine would not turn on. Dead as doornail. These are new RAM chips, sourced from OWC. Pulled the chips out, put the two OEM chips that came with the machine back in. Mzchine booted up. Grrrrr. Pulled the chips out again, put in the new chip sticks. NADA. So I must be doing something wrong or leaving out a step, right? So, what am I doing wrong or not doing?

 

[hakr100]

Thanks, Rich...so if I understand what you are saying, if one or more of the 16GB ram sticks is bad, the machine simply will not turn on and boot up?

 

[casperes1996]

Thanks, Rich...so if I understand what you are saying, if one or more of the 16GB ram sticks is bad, the machine simply will not turn on and boot up?

Depends in what way the memory is bad, but it's certainly possible to be in such a situation

 

[rkuo]

So, I got my new iMac today. Came with 8GB of RAM. Pulled them out, installed four identical new RAM sticks for a total of 64GB. Installed then properly; I've done this for previous iMacs. Pushed button to turn on iMac. Nothing. Machine would not turn on. Dead as doornail. These are new RAM chips, sourced from OWC. Pulled the chips out, put the two OEM chips that came with the machine back in. Mzchine booted up. Grrrrr. Pulled the chips out again, put in the new chip sticks. NADA. So I must be doing something wrong or leaving out a step, right? So, what am I doing wrong or not doing?

How long did you wait? New RAM takes about a minute to check for the first time. There is no indication it’s doing anything, only a black screen.

 

[wilberforce]

How long did you wait? New RAM takes about a minute to check for the first time. There is no indication it’s doing anything, only a black screen.

I can confirm this. Need to be very patient. The only indication that the machine is "on" is very faint noises from the fan. Wait at least 2 minutes after changing RAM and pushing the power button. If still nothing, cycle the power button again and try again. Make sure you are turning it on, not off, by listening carefully for fan noises. If still not successful, unplug the power cord, and try again. Reinsert RAM - it is very easy to not seat it properly.
Also try two sticks in slots 2 and 4 only (where slot 1 is at top). Do not put two sticks in slots 1 and 3: this will not boot in my experience.
I was almost convinced my iMac was dead until I figured it out. I suspect there are many false DOA returns.

 

[hakr100]

You guys were spot on. I just had to wait longer. I also set up the iMac to chime again when it was turned on because with the unit resting on its screen, I couldn't tell what was happening. So, now I have 64 GB of RAM operating at the proper speed. Thanks! Now, why isn't there an applet to increase the size of the font in the Safari toolbars?
This is what I used to get the chime back...