10-03-2009, 04:29 PM

I tried to replace the 2x1gb ram modules with 2x2gb modules from Kingston on my MacBook Pro, but it won´t boot. I only see the grey screen and the apple. I replaced the new modules with the old ones, but now that doesn´t work either. The mac simply won´t start with the original ram. I am sure the modules are inserted properly. Any ideas what might be wrong? I read somewhere about static electricity that can damage the motherboard when installing new ram, but would I even see the gray screen at startup if the motherboard were damaged?

MacBook Pro, Intel Core 2 Duo. New memory: Kingston KTA-MB667/2G

10-03-2009, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by egil

I read somewhere about static electricity that can damage the motherboard when installing new ram

That's why you're supposed to discharge any static electricity before doing any internal work on computers!

Two ideas for you to try:

- Maybe try the original ram 1 stick at a time instead of pairs.
- Try booting the computer from the Disk(s) that came with the computer, and see if it will boot.

Good luck,

- Nick

10-03-2009, 04:36 PM

is it still under warranty if so put in the original ram and bring it in

10-03-2009, 05:10 PM

Try booting with the Install DVD that came with the machine. Hold down C after the startup sound. Let us know what happens.

10-04-2009, 05:38 AM

Thankyou all, unfortunately it is not under warranty anymore, and I hope I will find that DVD... I´ll get back to you soon.

10-04-2009, 06:53 AM

No. It will not boot from the DVD. I have also tried 1 original ram stick at a time. I have been thinking that all this might be coincidental: The mac has been unstable lately. It sometimes just freezes, sometimes the keyboard and trackpad is dead at startup (or falls out after a few seconds) (I tried the sticky note solution and that works - but not every day) a few programs wont run, they make a single jump in the dock and that´s it. And the Carbonite free trial I deleted still is hidden somewhere in the root, slowing down everything. And t is really slow sometimes. I have tried to turn off all widgets, rid with all kinds of auto updates etc, and I run disk repair frequently. I wonder if the mac just use this ram issue as an excuse to blame it all on me...

10-06-2009, 01:34 PM

I bought Snow Leopard, and the mac obviously liked that. It finally did boot, and it accepted the new RAM too

10-06-2009, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by egil

I bought Snow Leopard, and the mac obviously liked that. It finally did boot, and it accepted the new RAM too

Well...it's a mystery why it works with 10.6, and not 10.5...but hey, it's working.

Lets keep our fingers crossed that it remains stable!

- Nick