New memory, 3 beeps.

[SweetCakes]

I just installed memory in my PB. Everything was fine until it froze on me. Now it won't start up, it just gives me 3 beeps. What does that mean?

I have a 12" G4. The memory I installed was this one:

1GB 200 Pin DDR PC2700 333Mhz 128x64 CL 2.5 SODIMM All Mac & PC's (Samsung Original) DM50 155

 

[ITASOR]

First of all, take the new RAM out and try to start your PB. If it starts, the RAM must be bad and you could try and exchange it for some new RAM.

 

[SweetCakes]

I reinstalled the original ram. It works.

What makes that RAM bad? I was being so, so careful.

 

[mad jew]

It's not your fault the memory's bad. Just get a replacement and try that. Mac's are very susceptible to even the smallest faults in RAM.

 

[Counterfit]

What speed is the PowerBook? If you know, we try make sure you got the right kind of RAM.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Just give your vendor a call, they will replace it, no problem.

Although there is a small chance that it is installation technique, rather than a defective SODIMM. It's worth trying to reinstall once.

Insert the RAM's connector pins into the socket while the RAM is tilted up at a 30 degree angle. You must apply moderate pressure with your thumbs on the top edge of the RAM WHILE it is at the 30 degree angle, to properly seat the contacts into the socket -- THEN pivot it down to the horizontal position.

You should see none or very little of the gold contacts visible. If you see more than 1 mm of contacts, you don't have it fully seated into the socket, remove it and try again.

Improper installation is the #1 cause of memory errors in Apple laptops, because their sockets are quite tight.

Note: The PC2700 module is appropriate for all 12" G4 powerbooks. The 867 nominally took a PC2100 module, but the PC2700 is compatible.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

 

[SweetCakes]

My PB is 1.5 Ghz.

If I installed it wrong the first time, would the PC still start up normally? Cause that's what it did. Everything was fine for about ten minutes, and then it just froze. [I just want to make sure before trying to reinstall it again.]

 

[CanadaRAM]

My PB is 1.5 Ghz.

If I installed it wrong the first time, would the PC still start up normally? Cause that's what it did. Everything was fine for about ten minutes, and then it just froze. [I just want to make sure before trying to reinstall it again.]

Your description is more indicative of bad RAM, if you are positive that you had it completely seated in the socket the first time,, then just send it back. If you;re not sure, then try it again but don't open any of your real data, test it with Apple Hardware Test or TechTool Pro or Rember or Memtest, or some program that will exercise the RAM (without risking corruptiong a 'real' document.)

 

[SweetCakes]

Thanks guys. Very much appreciated.