Problems Upgarding RAM on Macbook

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Macbook Pro 13"
Mid 2010 -

I had the standard 2 x 2GB RAM sticks installed and I decided to upgrade to 2 X 4GB.
I bought Samsung 4GB 2Rx8 PC3-8500S-07-10-F2 sticks.
I easily removed the original memory and installed new ones. Booted up. Nothing (just log in screen but it just shuts off and reboots over and over).
I then tried it in Safe Mode. This seemed to work OK. I checked the Mac Info and it clearly shows the two memory modules installed OK.
But, not working in Normal mode.
Not sure if I need to do anything else (like software or firmware update ?)
My present setup is: Boot ROM Version - MBP 71.0039.B0B , SMC Version - 1.62F7
 

IWT


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Welcome, wee-haggis1. Nice to have you with us. And, may I assume that you are from our blessed country, Scotland?

My first thought is that the purchased RAM is not compatible with your MacBook Pro. Are you sure that the Samsung RAM is suitable for your Mac? And might I ask where you bought it from? Because, even in the UK, there are trusted outlets that guarantee compatibility and refund anything that doesn't work.

I won't insult you by asking if you put them in and reset them correctly. I'm sure you did.

Given that all was OK before the new RAM, it is virtually certain that that is where the problem lies.

Ian
 

Raz0rEdge

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If you return the original RAM back into the machine, does it operate normally without issues? If so, that adds more fuel to Ian's assumption that the new RAM you purchased is either incompatible or just bad.
 
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Thanks guys for your replies.
First of all ,yes originally from Scotland ,now in Canada.

I have to be honest,I never really thought of compatibility (because I purchased name brand,recognized RAM). How would I go about checking to see what RAM is compatible ?
I bought it on Ebay (maybe my first mistake) but the fact that I could get it to work in Safe Mode and show up on Mac System Info, I assumed the RAM itself is OK (perhaps I'm wrong).
Yes, I returned the original Hynix RAM back into Macbook and it works fine. I am using El Capitan by the way,and have all the updates installed.
 

IWT


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Yes, I returned the original Hynix RAM back into Macbook and it works fine.

Case proven M'lud, as you might say.

Ian
 

Slydude

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If your Mac works with the original memory and doesn't work with the new stuff something is wrong with the new memory. As Raz0rEdge notes the new stuff is either the wrong type or just bad.

Check Crucial.com or OWC MacSales to find the correct memory. If you don't like their prices make sure that the memory you do purchase matches the specs they show you. Also make sure that any vendor you deal with has a good return policy.
 

chscag

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If you're in Canada, the best place to buy memory is from CanadaRam. Stay away from purchasing memory on eBay. If you can return it for a refund, do so.
 
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If you're in Canada, the best place to buy memory is from CanadaRam. Stay away from purchasing memory on eBay. If you can return it for a refund, do so.


+1. And thanks Charlie, but I'm almost surprised that you knew of and recommended CanadaRam from way down south. Yes they are good and very Mac knowledgable and not far from where I live.

But one thing seems odd when the OP says:
could get it to work in Safe Mode and show up on Mac System Info
That seems strange to me that SafeBoot could make a difference of the new RAM working or not.

That would seem to indicate there's some oddball third-party software causing the problem.




- Patrick
======
 

Slydude

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I've seen memory issues that seem to mimmic software problems. When the G5 was all the rage I bought one of the 2 GHZ models. It would run fine under Safe Boot mode and some light tasks with the Gui. Under hardly any load at all it would crash. I was convinced it was a software issue but couldn't work it out. The machine even passed Apple's hardware test according to the DVD.

After weeks surfind the web at modem speed I found a utllity that tested the memory specifically (an earlier version of Memtest). In no time at all the memory was failing every time I ran the test. Swapping out the memory fixed the problem immediately.
 

chscag

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Memory problems can be deceiving and mimic bad software. Like you Sly, I ran into some weird memory problems when running Windows. Back then we didn't have reliable memory testing programs. You just had to swap out modules with known good ones in order to find the bad ones.
 

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