Post by: amk285nyu on June 19, 2008, 08:59:18 PM
Just bought this bundle of sweetness from MacMall:
17" Hi-Res 2.5 GHz MacBook Pro
I also bought two 2GB RAM cards to upgrade the factory default 2x1GB SODIMMs to 2x2GB. Well, the computer came in today. It started up perfectly out of the box. So then I decided to install the 2GB cards I purchased from MacMall with the computer (this is what it says on the box):
EDGE
PE208233
2GB PC25300 S.O. DIMM
The computer won't boot. Instead, the light underneath the touchpad just keeps lighting up as it makes this loud medium-tone beeping sound in clusters of three beeps (kind of like a car backing up, but with a lower tone). I didn't have to hear the sound before to know it meant, "Something is broken." It just wouldn't boot up. So I put the factory cards back in: it boots up perfectly again. I repeated this- just to make sure I didn't screw up the installation of the Edge cards the first time. But I got the same result for the second round.
These cards were actually recommended to me by an intern at MacMall. My agent had just left when called to finaliz the order, so I got this kid who said, "Oh, the Edge cards are way better than what he's got you getting." They were actually cheaper, but I said, "Look man, cheaper, more expensive, I don't care, I want the best." He said Edge cards are the best, so I told him to give me those.
But they don't work. MacMall doesn't sell PC stuff, so I can't imagine even an intern could recommend me RAM cards that aren't compatible?
In any case, I'm going to call my agent there tomorrow to resolve this (I'm going to upgrade to 4GB one way or the other- even if I have to pay $50 for a 2-minute install). I have two questions for the TS community:
1) What do you think is the most likely reason these Edge cards didn't work?
2) If I end up choosing a refund- what RAM cards would you recommend?
Post by: Paddy on June 19, 2008, 10:23:49 PM
http://www.edgetechcorp.com/store/productd...product_id=6979
Check the part number - see if it's the same. It's possible that you either got a slightly different kit with slightly different specs or maybe you got some bad RAM. BTW - MacMall is part of PCMall - they do indeed sell lots of PCs! On their web site, I cannot find any Edge RAM PC5300 RAM.
If you pick the refund, have a look here:
http://dealnews.com/memory/prices/systems/...1495/2GBx2.html
I've purchased RAM from DMS many times (before I moved back to Canada, that is!) and also from http://www.OtherworldComputing.com . Bought from 18004memory.com too - no issues with any of them. I'm not particularly convinced that brand makes a big difference either - there are only about 7 RAM manufacturers in the world - and they manufacture for many different brands.
Post by: Mayo on June 19, 2008, 11:01:12 PM
but I got two bad RAM sticks in separate orders from 1-800-4MEMORY. I did a little trolling on the Internet at the time and found more reports of bad RAM from them than the other well-known RAM distributors; on the other hand, 1-800-4MEMORY was often the least expensive in those days, so I guess that it really is true that you get what you pay for... 
They did exchange the RAM quickly and without a hassle, but it was still a PITA. Since then I have stuck with Otherworld Computing: reasonable prices and good service too.
At any rate, your evidence points to Bad RAM. Send it back.
Post by: Paddy on June 20, 2008, 01:23:34 PM
Post by: tacit on June 21, 2008, 07:29:01 PM
There are one of two possibilities. Either the RAM is defective (return it for a replacement), or it is not installed correctly. The Mac Pro is very fussy about exactly which sticks you install and in exactly which order. You must have the DIMMs in te proper slots and you must install them in pairs grouped according to the instructions or they won't work.
Post by: Paddy on June 21, 2008, 10:01:38 PM
The Mac Pro is a different beast and its RAM requirements are indeed pickier.
For a very good explanation of RAM requirements for the entire Mac line:
http://guides.macrumors.com/Understanding_Intel_Mac_RAM
Post by: krissel on June 22, 2008, 01:45:54 AM
QUOTE
Crucial - good place to buy RAM from all over over the world. They also have an excellent memory selector that allows you to choose memory based on your computer's model, rather than having to remember terms like PC133, PC3200, PC5300, 184-pin, 200-pin, DIMM, and SO-DIMM. Guarantees compatiblity and quality. Make sure to refresh the page a couple of times before you buy and clear your cookies as crucial uses different prices based on the operating system and browser being used (just to be sure, check the prices with different browsers like Safari, Camino, Firefox). Crucial's prices are variable - while they have a stellar quality reputation, you may consider looking elsewhere for a better deal.
Post by: Paddy on June 22, 2008, 10:48:01 AM
I'm actually not entirely convinced that this issue is still an issue with Crucial, having tried with several browsers and various configurations that use the same RAM, but interesting nonetheless!
It was the case in 2006, though, according to this discussion:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=218162
At any rate, I've never found Crucial competitive on pricing. They want $103.99 for the 4GB kit.
1800 has the Micron 4 GB kit for $88 with free shipping and OWC has the next best deal on the 4GB RAM kit - $94. The DMS stuff at $92 only has a one year warranty (they have RAM with a lifetime warranty for $98). Don't buy RAM without a lifetime warranty.
NewEgg has Kingston RAM for $89.99 and Patriot RAM for $76.99 - the Kingston RAM has 27 "5 egg" reviews - the Patriot RAM had a couple of people with DOA/RAM not recognized problems, otherwise all 5 egg reviews. I've bought Patriot RAM for my G5 with no issues.
Post by: krissel on June 23, 2008, 03:30:48 AM
I could understand higher prices for Safari, Camino, FF or other Mac related browsers since "we" are supposedly more affluent if we have Macs. IE users would of course be less educated and not earn as much, yadda, yadda. 
Catalog sales are notorious for this by sending different priced issues to various zip codes.
But the online price differential was started by Amazon many years ago according to Consumer Reports:
http://www.consumerwebwatch.org/dynamic/e-...mic-pricing.cfm
Amazon in the UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/914691.stm
And if you purchase Turbo Tax online, take a look at your various prices. Next time I'm using Opera.
http://robert.accettura.com/blog/2007/02/18/browser-tax/
Post by: Paddy on June 23, 2008, 09:57:19 PM
Not sure about Robert Accettura's experiences: at first I thought maybe TurboTax cleaned up their act after he published that blog entry, since if you go to TurboTax.com now in all three of the browsers I tried, all of the prices were identical and offered the free option. Tried Safari, Firefox and Opera.
However, something was still going on last fall:
http://digg.com/apple/TurboTax_Online_Char...fari_Users_More - and the explanation may be in this forum response:
QUOTE
I used to work for Turbo's competition. I'm sure they're doing something similar to what we did.
They're trying to figure out what price points will get the highest conversion ratio. Nothing more. We called it A/B testing. You have a control and then a number of variations of the control. Each version gets a percentage of the traffic. Numbers are crunched and the "winner" is chosen.
Has nothing to do with browser/OS and everything to do with them trying to make the most money.
They're trying to figure out what price points will get the highest conversion ratio. Nothing more. We called it A/B testing. You have a control and then a number of variations of the control. Each version gets a percentage of the traffic. Numbers are crunched and the "winner" is chosen.
Has nothing to do with browser/OS and everything to do with them trying to make the most money.
Perhaps they've now chosen the "winner" (Gee...ya think FREE was the one that got the most votes??)
Post by: krissel on June 24, 2008, 12:22:43 AM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on June 24, 2008, 10:51:14 AM
QUOTE
I've also noticed a variation of this in some ads sent to my email from some online companies.
Yeah! And besides that, not many of those 'drugs' work as advertised, at least I've not seen any growth in areas they were supposed to 'enhance'! It's getting' to the point that you can't trust e-mail at all! 
As for as airline fairs, I'd stop worrying about missing a cheaper fair, ever.
Post by: kbeartx on June 24, 2008, 12:42:10 PM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Jun 24 2008, 10:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As for as airline fairs, I'd stop worrying about missing a cheaper fair, ever.
Are these airline fairs anything like renaissance fairs?
Post by: Xairbusdriver on June 24, 2008, 01:40:01 PM
QUOTE
Are these airline fairs anything like renaissance fairs?
Yes but with more 'attitude indicators' or is that altitude...
I'm still looking for a gude gramer chequer! 