Half my RAM stick Vanished...

[Earendil]

Anyone ever heard of HALF of a RAM chip not showing?

So I upgraded my computer (stats below) with a GIG of RAM.
slot 1: 256
slot 2: 1024

total memory atm: 768

NOT good

My computer is acting all funky, with at least one kernel panic so far, so I'm going to assume that the entire 1gig chip is on it's way to the great silicon heaven in the sky.
OWC is pretty good about RAM returns, right?
Any tips or hints for returns or dealing with them?
Any idea how I'm going to cope with only 256mb of RAM in my PB?

I don't have the original packaging for the RAM, will that be a problem for a return?

Also, slightly on subject, does anyone know of a free program or system utility to test RAM?

Thanks guys, I always enjoy the wealth of knowledge here!

~Tyler Z.
~Earendil

 

[Seasought]

Anyone ever heard of HALF of a RAM chip not showing?

So I upgraded my computer (stats below) with a GIG of RAM.
slot 1: 256
slot 2: 1024

total memory atm: 768

You've tried installing the 1024 in slot 1 and the 256 in slot 2 as well, correct? If not, give that a shot. I've heard of problems like this resolving themselves when the bigger stick of RAM is installed in slot 1.

I realize you were asking questions relating to other things but this came to mind and I wanted to see if you had tried this yet.

 

[Earendil]

You've tried installing the 1024 in slot 1 and the 256 in slot 2 as well, correct? If not, give that a shot. I've heard of problems like this resolving themselves when the bigger stick of RAM is installed in slot 1.

I realize you were asking questions relating to other things but this came to mind and I wanted to see if you had tried this yet.

Thanks for the suggestion, and I wish I could say I hadn't already tried it, but I have, to no avail

Physical wise, I don't know what else I can do to try and trouble shoot this myself. I'm a CS major in college, and am on a 2.5 week christmas break before I go back. If I can fix this myself, I'd love to. But I don't suppose RAM ever gets "corrupted" in such a way that software can help repair it like an HD? RAM doesn't hold much if any onboard code does it?

I still don't understand how HALF a chip can fail, and not the other half... huh...

~Tyler Z

 

[CanadaRAM]

The module is probably the wrong one for the 15" 1.25 Powerbook. This PB is VERY fussy over compatibility. The cheaper PC2700 SODIMMs usually don't work.

I would recommend you send it back and exchange it for the Samsung genuine module through OWC. You'll have to pay $10 or $20 difference.

Memory testing:
Apple Hardware Test CD
Tech Tool Pro
Rember
Memtest

Last two check http://www.versiontracker.com

 

[trainguy77]

There should a boot disk that came with the machine that when you boot has a RAM tester thing on it. Try that. Also try taking the 256 mb out and just the 1024mb stick in there. Also try just the 256 mb to see if it recognizes fine. Those are my only thoughts. This may sound stupid but does the 1.25 ghz support 1.25 gb of RAM, or just 1GB?

EDIT: your sig says you have a powerbook 1.25mgz.

 

[trainguy77]

I did some looking around the that model seems to support 2GB of RAM. how can that be? http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook_g4/stats/powerbook_g4_1.25_15.html

 

[Earendil]

The module is probably the wrong one for the 15" 1.25 Powerbook. This PB is VERY fussy over compatibility. The cheaper PC2700 SODIMMs usually don't work.

I would recommend you send it back and exchange it for the Samsung genuine module through OWC. You'll have to pay $10 or $20 difference.

My bad, I didn't mention that I've been using this RAm since late summer, and has only just now started acting up. I've been screaming through games, multiple apps, and PS, sometimes all at once (but not so screamy then )

It used to all register, and one day it stopped.

Memory testing:
Apple Hardware Test CD
Tech Tool Pro
Rember
Memtest

Last two check http://www.versiontracker.com

Thanks for those!! I forget about the apple hardware CD, gotta dig that one up

To answer some other questions, yes, the 1.25GHZ Powerbooks support 2GB of ram, by using two 1GB chips.

~Tyler Z