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View Full Version : Be Careful With RAM Purchases With G5

David
10-22-2003, 11:42 AM
After going through a week of defective RAM issues, but working with a good supplier, I'm advising to be very careful when you purchase RAM for the G5 1.8 or duals.

They can result in kernel panics, and the need to repeatedly run a two h our Apple hardware test.

Luckily I had my supplier work well to resolve the issue.
Timmyjoe
10-23-2003, 12:01 AM
David,

Am I mistaken, I thought I read a post a few weeks ago that said the RAM you bought was working good? Is this something that developed over time with the new G5? And I know how careful you are and how much you research everything before you buy. I wonder how many others who are having problems with their new G5's are really having RAM issues and it is showing up as other problems.

I'm holding off on my G5 purchase till after the first of the year at least. Got FCP 4 working pretty good on my dinosaur of a G4-400 and I can use FCP, Soundtrack, Cinema Tools, and Compressor, and my old DVDSP 1.5.2 still works fine, so I'm gonna just sit tight for a while and see how all this shakes out.

-Tim
David
10-23-2003, 05:26 AM
Tim:

Answered you over on the other board.

Always, always, I've learned, run the Hardware Test after installing RAM.

It quickly identified the problem after the kernel panics started. This DDR400 RAM is pretty squirrely.

Buy from a company you know will guarantee it for lifetime.
Nigel
10-24-2003, 07:19 AM
There were ram issues with G4's as well so I bought my ram from promax: they test the ram they sell. I've never had a ram issue ever. Promax saves the day again.

I don't buy ram from any one else.
David
10-24-2003, 07:32 AM
Nigel:

ProMax does a great job.

The company I bought from also tests their RAM, and worked with me over four days to resolve it.

In any case, it's working now.
DVX100Shooter
10-25-2003, 03:33 AM
I had the tech's at Compusa install a GIG of RAM in my 1.8 G5 and everything is running nice smooth.
David
10-25-2003, 05:24 AM
Just as a suggestion, run the extended Apple Hardware Test, and make certain everything passes.
GregMatty
10-25-2003, 11:48 AM
Be forewarned about the extended hardware test. My dual took an hour to complete that test. Also, you will hear just how noisy a G5 can be. Mine sounded like a leaf blower.

Greg Matty
David
10-25-2003, 02:25 PM
Greg:

Hope everything came through without errors.

My systems seems fine, now, but my Hardware Test ran nearly 90 minutes for 2.5 Gb of RAM.
**DONOTDELETE**
10-26-2003, 11:27 AM
David,

That hardware test does take forever. I don't know why it would take so long for the memory test to complete but certainly it does. I may add another gig of RAM this week but I am doing pretty well with 1.5 right now.

Off to spend some quality time with Soundtrack. Go Cougs!

Greg Matty
David
10-26-2003, 11:39 AM
Greg:

My wife and I are still recoverying from watching that game.

I don't know how they're going to beat USC.

BTW, we need two tickets for the Apple Cup!
**DONOTDELETE**
10-27-2003, 03:18 PM
Tim:

I'm using a G4/400 with FCP4 & it's locking up the entire computer. How about detailing your setup in hopes it'll help me get things working. FWIW - everything worked fine with FCP2 on this machine.

THX & SHALOM
pduck
10-30-2003, 06:51 PM
Where does one find the Apple Hardware Test? I'm running 10.2.5
David
10-31-2003, 09:57 AM
It's either on a separate disc that was included in with your computer, or part of the install disc with 10.2.7 and Panther.
**DONOTDELETE**
10-31-2003, 09:38 PM
this is probably a dumb question, but.. where is this apple hardware test.. yes i am a newbie.. just switched so.. thanks.. (i can't find it thru finder)
David
11-01-2003, 09:27 AM
Hardware Test disc is sometimes a separate disc that was bundled with your system discs when you purchased the computer. With 10.2.7, it came bundled with my G5 on one disc, and on Panther it is on the install disc.
unclemort
11-10-2003, 11:47 PM
Timmyjoe, Exactly what kind of G4 -400 do you have? Do you think my ATI G4-400 would run FP4 as well ? Appreciate any info on setup! Haven't heard of anybody successfully doing this! Anyone else have luck running FCP4 smoothly on a G4 -400 ?
Raydog72
11-16-2003, 08:42 PM
I will be buying some additional RAM soon and would like to know, which RAM is the best for my system? Some advice would be of help. Don't really want to do the CompUSA thing, but rather install myself. Thank you.
David
11-17-2003, 10:05 AM
First of all, what is your system?

Is it a dual processor 2Ghz G5?

Or a single processor 1.6 or 1.8 G5?

That determines what type of RAM to buy.

Kingston, Crucial, Viking -- all name brands.

ramseeker.com for other companies.

Let us know.
Raydog72
11-20-2003, 06:50 PM
David,
I will be using a dual processor 2 GHz G5. My apologies regarding leaving out that CPU information. I want to buy about 1 GB worth of memory. I currently have 512 MB. Is it possible to buy more and still keep the memory I have? If I buy (1 GB) and keep the 512 MB I have, should total 1.5 GB of memory. Is this a possibility? Or are there restrictions I am not aware of? What named brands should I purchase from? Thank you.
David
11-21-2003, 09:54 AM
The "name" brands are the ones I mentioned above.

You can added more RAM to your dual 2Ghz so long as they are in matched pairs, ie. 2x512, or 2x1Gb.

You can keep what is installed, but read your manual about how to install additional RAM.

No static electricity, and be careful when installing.

Currently the 1Gb sticks are very expensive, but the 512s are much better priced.