RAM issue in iMac (beeping at startup)

[garirry]

When I was troubleshooting my iMac back in April, I noticed that one time, the computer wouldn't boot and would beep once every 5 seconds. I looked it up on Apple's website, and then just removed the RAM and reseated it. No issues after that.

But then, recently, I turned on my computer from it's turned off state for about a few months. And it beeps again. Obviously, I repeat the same procedure, except that this time, I need to not only do it twice, I needed to carefully clean each pin inside my computer AND on each of my mem stick. Except that after I did that, if I moved or plugged in something inside my computer, it would randomly re-create the same error. If it isn't acting like a wounded animal, I don't know what is. Not only do I not have no patience of reseating the memory sticks every five seconds and on top of that, I'm a generally paranoid person and hearing beeping like that scares me to death.

Any tips? Also, is it normal that it gives me the error considering I have FOUR memory sticks installed? Would it naturally consider that there isn't any RAM if one of them is just slightly off? Thanks in advance for all tips. PS: Late 2009 iMac 21.5", 12GB memory, memory slots from top-left to bottom-right: 4GB, 4GB, 2GB, 2GB.

 

[Taz Mangus]

When I was troubleshooting my iMac back in April, I noticed that one time, the computer wouldn't boot and would beep once every 5 seconds. I looked it up on Apple's website, and then just removed the RAM and reseated it. No issues after that.

But then, recently, I turned on my computer from it's turned off state for about a few months. And it beeps again. Obviously, I repeat the same procedure, except that this time, I need to not only do it twice, I needed to carefully clean each pin inside my computer AND on each of my mem stick. Except that after I did that, if I moved or plugged in something inside my computer, it would randomly re-create the same error. If it isn't acting like a wounded animal, I don't know what is. Not only do I not have no patience of reseating the memory sticks every five seconds and on top of that, I'm a generally paranoid person and hearing beeping like that scares me to death.

Any tips? Also, is it normal that it gives me the error considering I have FOUR memory sticks installed? Would it naturally consider that there isn't any RAM if one of them is just slightly off? Thanks in advance for all tips. PS: Late 2009 iMac 21.5", 12GB memory, memory slots from top-left to bottom-right: 4GB, 4GB, 2GB, 2GB.

Do you have the original RAM sticks that came with the computer? If you do I would try and use them so e and see if the issue happens. It could be the logic board that is the issue. You could have the Apple Store run diagnostics on the computer which could tell you more. These are the things I would try.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Try with sets of 2 instead of 4, to nail down which one(s) that are problematic. Remember, it may also be the slots themselves, so try all of them.

 

[garirry]

Do you have the original RAM sticks that came with the computer? If you do I would try and use them so e and see if the issue happens. It could be the logic board that is the issue. You could have the Apple Store run diagnostics on the computer which could tell you more. These are the things I would try.

I have no idea if the RAM sticks are original or not, I bought this computer used in 2013 and haven't upgraded the memory since. The only thing I did upgrade is the hard drive.

Try with sets of 2 instead of 4, to nail down which one(s) that are problematic. Remember, it may also be the slots themselves, so try all of them.

Okay, I'll try. Any preferable way to clean the slots/sticks?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

A cotton stick with isopropanol would be my best guess. And then make sure it gets 24h+ before you give the machine power again.