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Supercheap 1GB RAM p'book

Well, folks, it seems the RAM is making my wife's brand-new 12" Rev C Powerbook freeze up after about 20 minutes of usage. :(

I installed it the minute I bought the PB (refurbished) from Apple online. So I haven't tried it without the RAM. I guess it's still possible it's the PB that's faulty...

How can I make sure if it's the RAM? Should I remove it, and test it out? If, after removing it, the computer works fine, then can I assume it's the RAM at fault? Is there any other test I should perform? The refurbished PB didn't come with a Hardware Test CD, so I can't use that. I have a feeling if I take it to the Apple Store in SoHo, they'll just say it's the RAM, without really testing first... What should I do?

EDIT: Spelling
 
jrv3034 said:
What should I do?
Click to expand...

sorry to hear that.

well, if it doesn't freeze with the RAM out, then freezes when you put it back in... then it's the RAM. :)


peace.

*the RAM from OWC is still working great :D.
 
jrv3034 said:
The refurbished PB didn't come with a Hardware Test CD, so I can't use that.
Click to expand...

The Hardware Test isn't on a separate CD. It's on the Panther installation CD - I thought that was usually included on refurbs.

Try removing the RAM and see what happens. Also check to be sure that the RAM is seated properly. I bought some and thankfully mine works perfectly.
 
Applespider said:
The Hardware Test isn't on a separate CD. It's on the Panther installation CD - I thought that was usually included on refurbs.
Click to expand...

Good point... I thought it was a separate CD. D'Oh! Anyway, I took out the RAM, and it's running fine (albeit slow with only 256 megs). I''ll do the test without the RAM, then with it, and see what happens.
 
jrv3034 said:
Well, folks, it seems the RAM is making my wife's brand-new 12" Rev C Powerbook freeze up after about 20 minutes of usage.
Click to expand...

When I got my new 12" PowerBook in July, it had two kernel panics within the first week (this was with the standard 256MB). Since then, though, I haven't had a problem. So perhaps there is some weird 'breaking in' period for new 12" PBs? Or maybe we're just the two anomalies....
 
I loaded my first gen. 1.25GHz 15" to the max 2GB with this ram a couple weeks ago and has been running like a champ ever since, I can now have everything open and just switch at will between them.

2GB is a huge difference over the stock 512MB that came with it. Overall it was a good ~$400 CDN well spent.
 
jrv3034 said:
Well, folks, it seems the RAM is making my wife's brand-new 12" Rev C Powerbook freeze up after about 20 minutes of usage. :(

I installed it the minute I bought the PB (refurbished) from Apple online. So I haven't tried it without the RAM. I guess it's still possible it's the PB that's faulty...

How can I make sure if it's the RAM? Should I remove it, and test it out? If, after removing it, the computer works fine, then can I assume it's the RAM at fault? Is there any other test I should perform? The refurbished PB didn't come with a Hardware Test CD, so I can't use that. I have a feeling if I take it to the Apple Store in SoHo, they'll just say it's the RAM, without really testing first... What should I do?

EDIT: Spelling
Click to expand...

well firstly dont panic about if it is the ram.. if its faulty they will have to replace it...if it is the ram then its the first bad lot i have heard about... have you tried all the other suggestions on here?
 
AL-FAMOUS said:
well firstly dont panic about if it is the ram.. if its faulty they will have to replace it...if it is the ram then its the first bad lot i have heard about... have you tried all the other suggestions on here?
Click to expand...

Yep, it's the RAM. I've been doing several tests over several days with the RAM and without. It only freezes when the RAM is installed. Dang! What's weird is that the Hardware Test showed it as being fine. I just realized that it's been over 30 days since I bought it (I ordered it before the PowerBook). It does have a 1 year warranty, though, so I should be able to get either a replacement or a refund, right?

I'll call them later today and see what they say.

EDIT: I just got a Return Authorization number. Very nice guy, too (Patrick, I think). Their RAM might not be the best, but their customer service is!
 
Ram seems ok

Just a little nod to everyone on the thread, I've had this ram for what two months maybe, and its been stable as a brick. Knock on wood, but I'm happy with it! Definitely if you have trouble it seems easy as the previous post said to get a replacement.
 
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