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Old Oct 28th, 2010, 08:20 AM   #1
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Anyway to test ram?

Been having issues with my i5 iMac since I tried adding some ram. First had to have the logic board replaced as 2 of the slots did not work. Now after a week and a half of it being in service I have it back. I pop the 2 x 4 gig ram chips in the back slots and start up the iMac. The iMac shows on 1 2 gig ram and 1 4 gig ram working and 2 slots empty. Now the ram is paired so 2 is beside 2 and 4 is beside 4. I pull the 2 4 gig rams and put them in the front spot, put the original Apple ram in the back slots. The iMac starts and shows 12 gigs of ram as it should be. Everything seems to be running fine, was using it for a bit yesterday, nothing intensive. I noticed 3 times yesterday, when it was just sitting, that the whole iMac just froze. No force quit, no mouse moving, no keyboard commands work, completely froze. This happens when its just sitting there for a period of time. The only thing I can think of is the ram as the iMac has run flawlessly since I got it. Is there any software to run diagnosis on the ram? The Apple hardware check shows it as being "ok". Do I have any options? I am past the return date at Canada Computers.

Computer is running latest updates.
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Old Oct 28th, 2010, 10:19 AM   #2
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try other RAM in the same machine and try that RAM in another machine, or bring to an AASP for them to run the full memory test part of the ASD on it

even if you are past the return date with canada computers you still should have a lifetime warranty with the manufacturer of the RAM
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Old Oct 28th, 2010, 01:15 PM   #3
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It is possible that the RAM itself is fine but your Mac just does not like it. Some Macs are fussier than others and I have no idea where the i5 iMacs fit in that equation.

I know Canada RAM warrants that the RAM they sell will work with your Mac. Hopefully your dealer does the same.
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Old Oct 28th, 2010, 02:41 PM   #4
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Right now I have the ram that came with the iMac as well as ram taken from my MBP, so added 2 x 2 gig ram sticks. So far it has not frozen at all. If the iMac didn't like the ram would it see it at all? I am assuming the ram is bad as it works for a bit then locks up.

I am going to try and swing by canada computers on saturday and try and exchange it. Not many options in the 8 gig department.
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Old Oct 28th, 2010, 03:48 PM   #5
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Download and run a program called Rember. Run it in a loop, preferably overnight. The Apple hardware test isnt always reliable.
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Old Oct 28th, 2010, 04:05 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RatsOnMacAttack View Post
Download and run a program called Rember. Run it in a loop, preferably overnight. The Apple hardware test isnt always reliable.
What exactly does Rember do?

Thanks
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Old Oct 28th, 2010, 04:14 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wonderings View Post
Right now I have the ram that came with the iMac as well as ram taken from my MBP, so added 2 x 2 gig ram sticks. So far it has not frozen at all. If the iMac didn't like the ram would it see it at all? I am assuming the ram is bad as it works for a bit then locks up.

I am going to try and swing by canada computers on saturday and try and exchange it. Not many options in the 8 gig department.
Remember a couple of older iMacs where someone added RAM that had been taken from a decommissioned server. Exhibited exactly the symptoms you are talking about. The RAM was fine but not totally compatible with those computers.
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Old Oct 28th, 2010, 05:05 PM   #8
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There is also memtest, the original UNIX memory test routine.

Memtest OSX
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Old Oct 28th, 2010, 05:10 PM   #9
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dp

Last edited by gordguide; Oct 28th, 2010 at 10:15 PM.
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Old Oct 28th, 2010, 06:09 PM   #10
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Rember is basically a GUI version of Memtest, so the one gordguide suggested would be the same.
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