G5 and Kingston RAM problem

MACSPECTRUM · Jan 4th, 2004, 10:36 PM

uh oh.....

Hello Kingston,

I am experiencing a problem with the DVD Player in my computer since installing two sticks of Kingston 256 MB Ram RAM (KTA-G5400/412). The DVD Player will work when the computer is booted but as applications are used and the RAM fills up, the image in the DVD Player fills with green dots. A screenshot is attached in JPG format.

After searching the web I found that a number of people are having similar problems and have traced the issue to the RAM. I found that when I removed the Kingston RAM the problem no longer occurred.

Here are links to a couple of relevant discussions of the issue on the Apple Support Forum:

http://discussions.info.apple.com/We....0@.599dbcd1/1

http://discussions.info.apple.com/We...MW.1@.599a9772

I called Apple for assistance (logged under Case #xxxxxxx) and they advised me to run the Apple Hardware Test on the RAM. I tried to do so but the 'Apple Hardware Test' will not boot the machine with the Kingston RAM installed. It works fine with the RAM removed. Based on the above, I believe that there is some sort of issue with the RAM; either it is defective or it is not within spec for this model of computer (although it is supposed to be). Either way, I need you to resolve the issue.

FYI, here are my computer specs:
Power Mac G5/1.8
ATI 9600 card
160 gig HD
DVD/DC-RW Drive
512 stock RAM + the 512 Kingston RAM

I hope to hear back from you soon
XXXXX

Fink-Nottle · Jan 5th, 2004, 08:03 PM

I was going to post this myself but MacSpectrum (who supplied me with the Kingston RAM) did it for me. I haven't yet heard back from Kingston but I'll post here when I do.

MacDoc · Jan 6th, 2004, 12:31 PM

We've had some RAM issues with G5s - two sets spec'd the same but showing differently under system profiler.

Certainly the fast bus puts RAM on notice for consistency.
Likely one of the sticks is defective.

The 1.6 is not as fussy - one reason I like it. Just be glad your 1.8 actually works with the 9600 card - there've been heaps of problems. We finally got our last one sorted out today after weeks of waiting.

Fink-Nottle · Jan 7th, 2004, 08:11 PM

Kingston have issued me an RMA and will be sending me replacement RAM. Hopefully that will resolve things...

Miko Fulla · Jan 8th, 2004, 02:54 AM

I read a memo in our campus bookstore today: Certain 256mb and 512mb Kingston RAM will not work and/or cause problems with their G4 800 Mhz iBooks. I was advised to buy my RAM from Apple to avoid this problem, (but at their prices, I'm still reluctant).

tizerfish · Jan 8th, 2004, 02:14 PM

i got my ram from a PC store, it's samsung, and it's perfect, i haven't had a problem in my G5,

heres the site
http://www.canadacomputers.com unfortunitly there only in and around Toronto but for 6 months my ram has been perfect, and i paid 140$ for 2x 256 [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Fink-Nottle · Jan 16th, 2004, 11:59 PM

Kingston replaced the RAM and both the issues are resolved. While the old RAM was made by Toshiba this new RAM is made by Samsung, who also make the RAM that came with the unit... probably not a coincidence. My guess is that the first RAM was out of spec. Odd though... I certainly would not have traced the problem to the RAM had I not found internet postings on the problem. I always though that bad RAM led to failures to boot, crashing etc... nothing as isolated as static in your DVD player. Interesting!

Thanks to MACSPECTRUM and all for help... and credit to Kingston for Fedexing the replacement RAM.