Author Topic: Wow, discovered this on Classic iMac (Read 5143 times)

Mrious_be · « **on:** June 25, 2003, 11:52:00 AM »

While printing and reading information on how to install my new 40Gb'r in my iMac DVSE, i found out that there's a hidden RAM Memory socket

I will use this "how to" manual, and there's the mention of it. (1/4th down the page)
I already called local store and they confirmed it, they said that my iMac is capable of holding max 1 bar 168 pins PC-100 with 256Mb.
Now i have one spare 128Mb bar left from when i bought the 512Mb bar... should i just push it in?

Did anyone knew here that there's an extra "expansion" bay for memory?
I was pretty amazed but verrry pleased.
Was actually thinking to get me a 256Mb bar but than again, i have this 128Mb left so that will do.

Here's a picture from where the bay is situated (on motherboard).

chuckwagen · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2003, 11:59:50 AM »

Does it work? That heatsink locking bar works well for pulling the processor card out, too.

Mrious_be · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2003, 12:16:10 PM »

QUOTE(chuckwagen @ Jun 25 2003, 6:59 PM)

Does it work? That heatsink locking bar works well for pulling the processor card out, too.

I'm not sure if i wanna do that Chuckwagen

Well, i don't know if it works, but since i called the local apple store and they confirmed it, they didn't said i can't use the extra ram module.
The thing is, i probably can't test it out till i closed up the iMac again, so i'll have to see how or if i do that.

gmann · « **Reply #3 on:** June 25, 2003, 12:45:48 PM »

The lower ram slot takes low profile ram, which is much narrower than what fits in the upper slot. My wife uses my old rev.B I mac. It currently has 384 Meg ram, 400Mhz upgrade card, Voodoo2 8Meg graphics card in the Mez. slot and a 30Gig Maxtor HD. The lower ram slot is where the factory installed chip resides.

chuckwagen · « **Reply #4 on:** June 25, 2003, 01:06:56 PM »

That's the upper slot that's open, right? Your 128 chip should slide right in and push down to lock. That's a nice setup.

Mrious_be · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2003, 01:12:24 PM »

QUOTE(gmann @ Jun 25 2003, 7:45 PM)

The lower ram slot takes low profile ram, which is much narrower than what fits in the upper slot.

Wooow, so you really upgraded every part on your wifes iMac

I'm not sure what this means though "low profile ram"?

Sooo... you and Chuckwagen are basicly saying i can just use it? right?

Sorry for being "slow" on this

But thanks for explaining guys

Mrious_be · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2003, 01:16:00 PM »

QUOTE(chuckwagen @ Jun 25 2003, 8:06 PM)

That's the upper slot that's open, right? Your 128 chip should slide right in and push down to lock. That's a nice setup.

Yes, it's pointed out with the B.
It seems it flips up (rotates), than you attache (slide in) Ram bar and flip it down again.

tacit · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2003, 01:51:09 PM »

QUOTE(Mrious_be @ Jun 25 2003, 4:52 PM)

While printing and reading information on how to install my new 40Gb'r in my iMac DVSE, i found out that there's a hidden RAM Memory socket :o
I will use this "how to" manual, and there's the mention of it. (1/4th down the page)
I already called local store and they confirmed it, they said that my iMac is capable of holding max 1 bar 168 pins PC-100 with 256Mb.
Now i have one spare 128Mb bar left from when i bought the 512Mb bar... should i just push it in? :D
Did anyone knew here that there's an extra "expansion" bay for memory?
I was pretty amazed but verrry pleased.
Was actually thinking to get me a 256Mb bar but than again, i have this 128Mb left so that will do. :)

Here's a picture from where the bay is situated (on motherboard).

:)

It's not intentionally concealed; it's just tucked beneath the processor card.

The upper slot takes a regular SO-DIMM; the lower (hidden) slot requires a "low-profile" SO-DIMM.

Mrious_be · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2003, 01:59:16 PM »

QUOTE(tacit @ Jun 25 2003, 8:51 PM)

It's not intentionally concealed; it's just tucked beneath the processor card.
The upper slot takes a regular SO-DIMM; the lower (hidden) slot requires a "low-profile" SO-DIMM.

But why whould they tuck it there, and NOT put any rambar in it

"low-profile" memory, that's like a slower memory type (bay)? or does it means it can only handle max. 256Mb bars while others can go to 512Mb?

swhitset · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2003, 03:18:07 PM »

The term "Low Profile" refers to the physical dimensions of the card. It has nothing to do with the memory capacity. Apple installs a chip in the lower slot underneath the processor daughter card. a regular so Dimm would not physically fit in this space. The other slot that you mention is the user accessible expansion slot.

Steve

Mrious_be · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2003, 11:45:09 PM »

QUOTE(swhitset @ Jun 25 2003, 10:18 PM)

The term "Low Profile" refers to the physical dimensions of the card.

Oooooh

Than i just hope my memory bar will fit in there, cause it's one that fits in the standard slots?

(((Sigh))) how confusing all

I'll have to wait and see if it fits.

swhitset · « **Reply #11 on:** June 26, 2003, 03:26:54 PM »

I am a little confused by your situation. Your computer should have shipped with Ram in the lower slot. This is the slot that requires a low profile So Dimm. The other user accessible slot should have shipped empty (unless you ordered extra Ram when you bought your Mac).

Steve

Bill · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2003, 04:40:45 PM »

Glad you brought that up before me Steve. <gr>
Had me wondering why was it empty in the first place?

swhitset · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2003, 06:07:35 PM »

Yeah Bill... seems strange.

Marcel,

There is nothing secret about the lower slot. It is the slot where Apple installs the factory ram. Because removal of the processor daughter card is necessary to access it, Apple requires that an authorized service center be used if you want to put a bigger chip in this area. Of course if you no longer have a warranty... you can do what you want. I installed a 256 MB So Dimm in the lower slot on my 333 imac with no problem at all. You also have a user accessible slot that usually ships empty. On my 333 You still have to take a lot of the imac apart to get to it. On your iMac, I believe that this slot is right inside a removeable hatch/door on the bottom of the iMac. this slot does not require a low pofile chip.

I hope that this helps. (most of this info was supplied by others above scattered between several threads. I thought I would consolidate it.

Steve

bil207 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 26, 2003, 06:46:12 PM »

Marcel,

OK, I think that I know what is causing the confusion. The top part of the instruction page at MacWorld is for the earlier iMacs (tray loading), they have one upper and one lower memory slot for a total of two. If you scroll about half way down the instruction page you will see the instructions for opening up the slot-loading iMacs. Both of the memory slots in your iMac should be here.

News:

Author Topic: Wow, discovered this on Classic iMac (Read 5143 times)