Ram upgrade problems (solved)

[agruenebaum]

Hi,
I have been trying to upgrade my brandnew MacMini Intel Core Duo from 512 MB to 2 GB of RAM. First the RAM delivered by my Internet supplier was DDR as used for desktop PCs. One look on the opened up Mini revealed: this must be SDO RAM (as for laptops). After having the replacement in my hands, I replaced two pieces of 1GB SDO-RAM against the 2 pieces of 256 MB.

Everything seemed to be fine and performance increased significantly, until about 1 hour the system began to shut down or freeze sporadically and finally periodically after a few minutes. It definetely seems to be a thermal problem.

However,

1. fan still works - this seems not to be an issue.

2. the flat cable connecting the drives to the motherboard got loose by the second attempt to open the cover. However, I was able to attach and tight it up again before re-assembling the Mac Mini. This is hopefully not an issue.

3. SDO-Dimms used are `double sided´. I have read that ´stacked RAM´might be a problem. However, the later term seems not to be common in Germany. May that be an issue?

Next step: I will try out to use only one of the ´double sided´1 GB SDO-RAM just to see if this may solve the problem. If not I will go back to the original setup with 512 MB.

Please apologize for spelling mistakes and bad English.

[247 Photography]

Did you tried to save money with "bargain" memory modules? If so, maybe they are not up to specs for this system.

[agruenebaum]

It was not my intention so save money on a bargain. However, none in Germany seems to know the right specs.

For example: what is the meaning of "non-stacked" RAM. Does it mean "not double sided"? The original 256 MB SDO had chips only one one side. The 1GB SDO do have chips on both sides.

[247 Photography]

"Stacked RAM" does not mean double-sided modules; it means that one chip is mounted above another, like pancakes. I don't know why double sided modules would matter, unless there is a problem with physical clearance.

Following are the specs from Crucial web site:

Notes
Important information about your system
Although the memory can be installed one module at a time,
the best performance comes from using matched pairs of modules.

Upgrade for the Apple Mac mini (Intel Core Duo - 1.66GHz)

Crucial Part Number: CT516926 More Compatible Upgrades


More Information
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Module Details:
Crucial Part Number: CT516926
Module Size: 1GB
Package: 200-pin SODIMM
Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300
Configuration: 128Meg x 64
DIMM Type: UNBUFFERED
Error Checking: NON-ECC
Speed: 667
SDRAM Timings: CL=5
Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 64
What does this mean?

US $157.99


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DDR 200-pin SODIMM

Approximately 2.625 in. by 1.25 in. (66.7 mm by 31.75 mm)

DDR2 200-pin SODIMM

[agruenebaum]

Thanks for all the help. I don´t know why those RAMS sticks did not work when installed together, while every single one did work when installed alone. The mentioned shut down of the MacMini seems to be related to thermal problems that only occur when having installed 2 sticks of 1GB RAM.

I have returned the sticks today leaving the Mac with 512 MB.

[edsel6502]

[robhfla]

This is EXACTLY why to me it's not worth the few bucks you save by doing these things yourself. Just the savings in aggrevation is is worth the money I think. Not to mention if you screw something up, now you are pissed, you lost the money on your memory, and possible ruined the whole computer. I will always just suck it up, bring the thing in to the Apple store, and walk around in the mall for an hour while they do all the frustration stuff behind the scenes.

[picaman]

[Bandit Bill]

[picaman]

[imfullofit]

I have to include that some people like myself like to tinker and this messing around that you guys hate is fun for me. I do agree about using high quaility parts that are known to work in your machine. I also do a lot of google searching before I do these things for the first time. Just because the plug fits in the socket does not always mean you should try to plug it in.

[robhfla]

It's one thing when you like to fool around with the inside of your computer, and you know what you are doing. It's a whole different story when you barely know where the on button is. Some people are just not meant to open a computer. I'm willing to bet that's about 90% of computer users.

Yes it is expensive to have computer work done. However, how much is your time worth? Do you want to spend hrs trying to figure out how to do what needs to be done? How much is 2 weeks of down time worth to you after you break something inside? How much is all that frustration worth? How much is it going to cost to fix what you broke while you were 'upgrading'? How much is the information inside your computer worth when you lose it, cause you now have to buy a whole new computer?

All that for $200??? Which in the end is cheaper....only you can decide.

[Bandit Bill]

[agruenebaum]

I have finally been sucessfull in upgrading the MacMini with 1 GB of Kingston RAM. I did not care spending a few bucks less or more. It's just a matter of fact, that there are no Apple stores in my country. Even the officially blessed Mac service points did not have a clue what RAM to use. Apple store was not able to deliver in time and thus I decided to do it on my own.

It was somewhat a challenge and pleasure to do it. However, if you don't have the money to risk a disaster - you better don't upgrade the Mac Mini yourself. There are problems which may occur - youst look on the ribbon cable it's fragile attachement to the soundcard. This design does not seem to be made for being opened every next day.

By the way, the first of my few computer moddings I did was somewhat in the 80th with Commodore and later ATARI (an Atari STF souped up with a device I bought from a store at Berkley. The Atari booted MacOS and it really worked pretty well with the software available in those days. Today it's more like a reminescence on those days when I get hold on that putty knife again...