Macbook lags after upgrading from 1.25gb RAM to 2gb

[zure]

I upgraded my Macbook from 1.25gb RAM to 2gb RAM. The two RAMs are the same size (1gb), same speed same brand same everything.
However, when I run Parallels, shut it down, and re start it, my whole Mac OS X became super laggy. It is fine when i shut down and run Parallels for the first time but when i re start it, the whole OS becomes very laggy.
When i switch back to using 1.25gb, everything is fine.
I am suspecting that it has something to do with how OS X handles memory.

Any help on this??

 

[zure]

I am wondering if it could be caused by the hit also?? I just restarted and it is still laggy

 

[netdog]

No clue. I have 2GB in my MB, and have no such problems when I run Parallels, close it, and then run it again. Strange.

 

[redeye be]

You could try resetting your P-RAM, it holds some info about the amount of RAM, it might have missed the upgrade.

Hold command-option-P-R while booting until you heard the third boot sound thingy.

Good luck

 

[QCassidy352]

maybe you just got a bad stick of RAM.

 

[aristobrat]

No clue. I have 2GB in my MB, and have no such problems when I run Parallels, close it, and then run it again. Strange.

Same here. Parallels runs great on my MB w/ 2GB. I open it/close it/reopen it all the time

 

[dmw007]

maybe you just got a bad stick of RAM.

This is my thought as well QCassidy352.

 

[jacek2008]

got same problems

Hi,
i guess I got same problem as you. My Macbook has 2 gb of ram, but after a couple of minutes of using, system is laggy, OS is slow etc. First I thought its heat related problem, but I have learned if you got BAD RAM it could be it fault. On my mac GUI is slowing down, but if the ram is BAD (and graphic card takes system memory) its obvious that it will have bad influence on video displaying. Got to insert any other ram and check what will happend.

 

[zure]

Ok I tested each 1GB RAM separately and they work fine on their own. I tested both the RAM slots also. Can't be certain its not a bad RAM but I doubt so. Both works on their own. Both works with another 256mb RAM. But when they come together the system lags. Could it still be a RAM prob??

Tried the PRAM thing. Doesn't really help too.........

Thanks for any help =)

 

[fruktsallad]

Hey guys!

I'm having this exact same problem, and I've discussed it with a few others at some length at a swedish forum (99mac.se). What I've found so far is that the problem seems directly correlated to CPU temperature. Just as in your case, my MB has no problems using only one of the slots with either of my 1GB sticks. However, the problems (mainly extremely laggy GUI/Graphics) appears when using 2x1GB.

I've been using Big Bang Chess as a benchmark, dragging around the...the...jeez, what's the word in english? Well, just grab the rook (using the more graphically complex version) and see how well it follows your cursor while moving around. Using CoreDuo Temp simultaneously next to the chess game, you'll see your CPU temp climb slowly. Just keep dragging that rook around, and when you (at least when I) reach about 67 degrees celsius, the sound makes a stutter and suddenly I have this huuuge lag while dragging the rook around. Also, using exposé, dashboard or just moving a window around is extremely choppy.

And it keeps being choppy until the CPU has cooled down to just about 58 degrees celsius. When it reaches 58, everything magically becomes fast again. Sick, huh?

And this is with 2x1GB. Using the original 2x256MB I get the sound stutter and a very noticeable drop in performance, but it's nowhere near as bad as with 2GB memory. My RAM is TwinMOS, 667MHz, CL5. I used them with no problem whatsoever in a Dell E1505 for three months before I ditched it and got my MB.

I'm going to try to get my MB sent back in a few days, but do you guys have any clue to what could be wrong?

 

[zure]

I tried the RAM on my friends macbook but it works fine. Wondering if its the video memory problem

 

[zure]

Ok i got both my RAM replaced. At first it worked fine. Restarted Parallels many times and it is still fine. Then i left my macbook there for a while and when i went back, IT STARTED TO LAG AGAIN!!! Argh!!

Apple says that they will charge me $105 if they find that the problem is caused by the RAM (3rd party)! Should i send it in?? Will take 3-4 days =(

 

[MRU]

I had a similar situation to you.

I bought 2 pieced of 1gb memory for my white macbook

The memory worked perfectly in the white macbook, just a shame the superdrive didn't.

So when I replaced the white macbook with faulty superdrive, I went for a black macbook.

When I put in the memory 2gb, the machine began lagging all over. Its was horrendous. So I removed 1gb of the memory and tried and it was fine, so put in the second again and it was lagging once more. So I assumed my memory was dodgy, so the piece I presmed was lagging got sent back for a replacement.

In the mean time I put back in a piece of the 256 that came with and used my machine as 1.25gb

When the replacement 1gb arrived, I opened up my macbook again and put it in, only to find it lagging just as badly

So now I'm not sure if its the memory or the computer. It's really peeing me off.

 

[zure]

Same here. Is it the macbook or is it the RAM. And if i send it in to Apple i have to risk $105 to find out. Worst if they can't find anything and still slap me with the $105 penalty!

 

[zure]

Wondering if its a heat problem. Just installed coreduo temp. Somehow when i run an application, the temp goes above 70 degrees or around there and it starts lagging.

Or it could be because of the video ram. I ran big bang board games and it is laggy too. Well the temp went above 70 too but i wonder if its the video or the heat. Might be something else too.

 

[MRU]

Not sure mine will lag within a second or so of boot up. Just open a drive window and attempt to move it and it will lag all over the place..

Go back to 1.25gb and its a smooth as butter.

Never had heat problems with my macbook, I've never heard the fans blow yet apart from when burning a dvd.

Like you say do you gamble take it back to apple and they charge you $105, or take out the memory, but then that's not really showing them the issue? But what if the issue is about 2gb regardless of memory type??? Aghhhh so many possiblities. Looks like it's gonna cost to fix regardless.

 

[zure]

Yup and it doesn't get laggy immediately. Its like it only gets laggy after a while if you run some application (maybe intensive ones)

They might just plug in the RAM, sees that it works when booted up and say there's no problem.

Tsk tsk. $105 is like 1/2 the price of the 100gb harddisk upgrade i am going to get. Argh

 

[Abstract]

maybe you just got a bad stick of RAM.

I'd think that if you get bad RAM, you'd expect a lot more crashes.

 

[esaleris]

What brand of RAM are you using? Is there consistant brands that just don't work as well.

Not all RAM is made with the same quality...

 

[Planner Dude]

Just curious....where did you all get your RAM....can there be a correlation????

Edit:
Sorry.....the poster above posted near the same time as me!!!!

 

[MRU]

I got mine from FlashMan on Ebay, a good shre of people on the forum got theres from there too, so i dont think its that.

Besides doesnt explain why the memory in a white macbook worked great nad causes problems in a black macbook

So I'm thinking it could be hardware

 

[zure]

This is my theory after hours of testing.

- I don't think the problem has anything to do with the RAM (I replaced mine and it still doesn't work).

- The problem has to do with using two sticks of equal size RAM (2x256 2x512 or 2x1gb) I tried 2x1gb and 2x256 myself. Didn't get a chance to try 2x512 bcos i don't have them. The 2x256 are Apple RAMs.

- The slowness only comes in after the temp (I am using CoreDuoTemp) goes above 70 degrees. And only goes away after the temp goes back to below 70 degrees and stays there for a while. I tested using Big Bang Board Games and Parallels, which are intensive enough to cause the processor's heat to go up.

- There is no slowness (maybe just a wee tiny bit) when i am using 1gb or 1.25gb of RAM when the temp goes above 70 degrees.

- I think the problem has to do with the theory that two equal size RAM is suppose to boost performance. Maybe somewhere the configuration or the optimization was not setup or made properly

- I don't think it is a generic problem across all Macbooks. My friend's working fine. So are many of the Macbook users out there

MacRumorUser, why don't you try downloading CoreDuoTemp and see if its the same case for you.
I am probably going to send my Macbook in tomorrow to have it checked. Will send it in with the 2x256 Apple RAM so they don't make a big fuss about using third party RAM.

 

[zure]

Anyway my RAMs are Patriot and I got them from Sim Lim Square in Singapore.

 

[maxi]

So, you get lagging when using 2x256 too?

if so, by all means send it back and have it checked, cause that's not normal/

 

[Passante]

Have you tried opening Activity Monitor and checking CPU usage. You should be able to track if you are maxing out both cores.

Doesn't the CPU "slow down" when the notebook gets to hot? Perhapts you are seeing this.