Stuck on Apple screen if external hard drive is plugged in

[lakerbob]

Strange one, need help. I upgraded the ram to 4gb crucial on my 24" intel imac (early 2008). Now it freezes at apple screen, but only if my external WD My Book hard drive is plugged in via firewire. If I unplug it from the firewire port. it boots up fine. Tried pram, no help. Any ideas?

 

[adammelancon]

I had a problem with my same model iMac freezing with the 4GB Crucial memory upgrade.
I returned it and ordered from OWC.
It hasn't come in yet, but I'm eager to see if the same problem happens.

I have also had a few issues where it would not boot up past the white screen unless I turn off my 1TB external FW400 enclosure that I use as a time machine drive.

Here is what happened with mine.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/663315/

 

[lakerbob]

thanks for the info. Spent a long time on the phone with apple care. Also having a problem with time machine. Seems like its likely a problem at this point with the external hard drive