Maxing memory - confusion

Hey all,

I'm reading up in here and outside of MF on maxing out my memory and I'm getting confused. I have the G4 iMac flat panel with 768 MB ram (512 user + 256 factory). It can support up to 2GB.

Would the imac still run okay if I install a 2GB stick and keep the 256 still inside (since I can't access it)? Or would I need two 1GB sticks; I install one and have an Apple specialist install the other? Has anyone installed the inaccessible one on their own? My imac has long been out of warranty, so I'm not worried about that. But then again, I don't want to risk doing something stupid. I want to max out the memory because later on I plan to upgrade to Leopard.

As always I appreciate your help.
G

I think it's just two 1GB sticks. I may be wrong though. Someone who might know more about it would be able to help you better than I could.

I thought they could only support 1GB?

In which case, you'd need to swap the none-user-accessible stick to 512.

EDIT: Crucial says 1GB, other places say 2GB.

I found this - http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/imac_g4/imacg4_takeapart.html

Doesn't look too bad, you're at the RAM by step 3...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S72X9Gjy5WM

skaheadpunk said:

I thought they could only support 1GB?

In which case, you'd need to swap the none-user-accessible stick to 512.

EDIT: Crucial says 1GB, other places say 2GB.

I found this - http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/imac_g4/imacg4_takeapart.html

Doesn't look too bad, you're at the RAM by step 3...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S72X9Gjy5WM

Click to expand...

From what I understand, if you have the 1 or 1.25 ghz models, it can support up to 2GB. The 800 and below mhz models can support 1GB.

Thanks for the links. Looks simple enough. I just need to find the Torx bits and the thermal paste. Or I can try to find local Apple resellers to see how much they charge for RAM installation.

Thanks for the tips, Ska & cuhnool!
G

Wanted to make sure you knew the "internal" ram is a different size than the user accessible one. (and it will support 2x1GB)

"There is one factory installed memory module in a 184-pin DIMM slot and one 200-pin user-accessible SO-DIMM slot."

Soulwar said:

Wanted to make sure you knew the "internal" ram is a different size than the user accessible one. (and it will support 2x1GB)

"There is one factory installed memory module in a 184-pin DIMM slot and one 200-pin user-accessible SO-DIMM slot."

Click to expand...

Yeah, I saw that. One long, one short. Thanks!

gary61071 said:

have the G4 iMac flat panel with 768 MB ram (512 user + 256 factory). It can support up to 2GB.

Would the imac still run okay if I install a 2GB stick and keep the 256 still inside (since I can't access it)? Or would I need two 1GB sticks.

Click to expand...

I think the latter choice. If you haven't already visited them, two excellent resources for checking RAM requirements are OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/ (select your model of iMac) and Mactracker, a free utility that gives the specs of every model of Mac ever made.