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Author Topic: Corsair Memory  (Read 3312 times)

Offline daryl66

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Corsair Memory
« on: September 01, 2011, 12:44:08 PM »

Scenario: About a month ago, deciding to bite the bullet and upgrade my Mini  to  Lion, I purchased a new 2gb stick of Ciorsair Valueselect,(VS2GSDS667D2) from a Fry's electronics mortar store, removed one of the 2, 512mb sticks and replaced it with the 2gb giving a total of 2.5gb. Tested it for a day then did the Lion thing.

I experienced continious intermittent problems and an occasional Kernal Panic.  In my infinite wisdom, I rationalized and placed the blame on, 1st a power hit, (experienced the 2nd or 3rd day after upgrading)  LION, 3 times, subsequently reinstalling, then finally the Mini went hard down day before yesterday. Would not run anything from the back-up's either. Fearing the worst, as a last resort I decided to re-install the original 512 memory stick figuring I had nothing to loose before slashing my wrists and considering of a new machine.  Groaner.gif

Bottom line: Everything seems to be just lovely now, albeit somewhat slow, then trying to run Safari, and Word 2008 simultaneously  being told there was not enuff memory to support both applications.

Considerations:  The reviews on this Corsair stick seems to be consistently good.  Anybody have any experience that is says no??

                         Seems like I recall that back in the "olden days" one had to "match" memory sticks i.e. 2gb and 2 gb. etc, but I  
                          thought that had changed in recent days.  Comments???

The Mini is:1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Now with 1GB667MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Also there seems to be conflicting info on the  Max amount of Ram.  I have read both 3GB and 4GB

What to do, What to do. unsure.gif

Daryl wallbash.gif
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2011, 01:21:22 PM »
Since you have only one large stick, you might try swapping the positions of the small and large one. While the "matching pair" still is usually recommended, I can make no claims to the contrary. But "matching" includes more than mere size or brand of the 'chips.' Each Mac can have different memory buss speeds, the first criteria is that any added RAM be at least, if not faster than that speed. But, if the original chips are not the same as the new one, problems could occur, that may be the problem you are having. dntknw.gif

I do recall that the larger RAM modules should be the first one seen by the OS, that's why I suggest swapping the two you have. But I don't claim that will solve your problem. Should you have asked about buying RAM, I would have suggested getting a pair...a pair that are guaranteed to be equivalent ("matched"). I wold still recommend your buying another 2GB stick, hopefully from the same batch as the first one. Your supplier will hopefully ba able to verify that with the numbers on that stick you have. I really think 4GB is a minimum amount, even for Snow Leopard.

As for maximum RAM, I have no idea, although the specs should be available at Apple's site. But even if it is 3GB, I'd still go with two 2GB sticks, if you can verify they will work together. You can have the two .5GB sticks made into cuff links or a tie tack. smile.gif
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Offline Paddy

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« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2011, 04:35:11 PM »
Occasionally one gets bad RAM no matter which manufacturer it is. I think you've got bad RAM. The symptoms you're seeing are entirely consistent with bad RAM. Do try the stick of Corsair RAM by itself, just to confirm. Then return it.

The Mac Mini "officially" supports 2 GB. EveryMac.com has this to say:

QUOTE
*By default, 1 GB of RAM was installed as two 512 MB modules, no slots free. Apple officially supports 2 GB of RAM, but third-parties have been "unofficially" able to upgrade it to 4 GB of RAM using dual 2 GB memory modules. Please note that some memory in excess of 3 GB cannot be used with 4 GB of RAM installed, so some may prefer to quote an actual maximum of 3 GB of RAM.


More info: http://forums.macnn.com/58/imac-emac-and-m...-mac-mini-core/

There is no requirement for matching RAM - and I doubt very much that you'd see that much of a difference in performance if you did have matching sticks (which worked). More important is having enough RAM with Lion. I had to upgrade this MBP - 2GB was agonizingly slow. It's now got 4GB, but, as with your Mini, only recognizes just over 3GB. Better, but still not as snappy as I'd like.
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Offline daryl66

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« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2011, 11:56:51 AM »
QUOTE(Paddy @ Sep 1 2011, 04:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Occasionally one gets bad RAM no matter which manufacturer it is. I think you've got bad RAM. The symptoms you're seeing are entirely consistent with bad RAM. Do try the stick of Corsair RAM by itself, just to confirm. Then return it.


Makes sense to me. The short version.

Installed the 2gb by itself and the Mini fired up, chime, fan, the cog wheel, Then a progress bar appeared at the bottom, which I had never seen before which made it about half an inch then the Mini shut down (power off). About 30 seconds.

I thought "good call Paddy", so I re-installed the 2 512 sticks and guess what. Same scenario as above. I have double and triple checked the ram seating, inspected for pinched, broken wires, reset the PMU, everything I can think of, no joy.  Whatever the problem is it is locked in.   I also attempted to start-up with TechTool Pro CD, and it  didn't, now the cd remains in the drive. Woe is me.

Mini is currently dis-assembled on the workbench awaiting some TLC and a solution to its cardiac arrest condition.

The ole gambler saying of "should have quit when I was ahead" sure applies here.


Daryl wallbash.gif


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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2011, 06:08:54 PM »
...and then there was the power surge... Thinking.gif
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Offline Paddy

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« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2011, 08:35:59 PM »
Oh dear...now it sounds more like logic board problems. sad.gif

If that's the case - it's toast, as I suspect that it's really not worth getting a new one for it. I don't know when you bought it, but it could be as much as 4 years old now, as this model was introduced in August 2007. A new one can be had for as little as $599, though with only 2GB of RAM, you'll want to budget for more of that! There are no refurbs on offer now, but they'll show up again soon enough.
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Offline daryl66

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« Reply #6 on: September 03, 2011, 11:04:34 AM »
QUOTE(Paddy @ Sep 2 2011, 08:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh dear...now it sounds more like logic board problems. sad.gif


Needless to say I  can't disagree with either you or ABD. At the moment I am considering a call to the Genius bar over in Spokane and see what, if anything they have to say.

If a replacement is what has to be done, think I will probably go with another 13" MBP (refurb), Total redundancy that way, and a back-up position for My Lady.

Guess we shall see, what we shall see.

Daryl sad.gif
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2011, 07:15:10 PM »
Another MBP will also provide a SuperDrive. The newest mini's don't even have optical drives. rolleyes.gif It's 'old' technology, don't you know. Everyone will be using iCloud. wallbash.gif
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Offline daryl66

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« Reply #8 on: September 04, 2011, 03:08:40 PM »
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Sep 3 2011, 07:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Another MBP will also provide a SuperDrive. The newest mini's don't even have optical drives. rolleyes.gif It's 'old' technology, don't you know. Everyone will be using iCloud. wallbash.gif



Yea  Rite!!!!!

One more thought before I throw in the towel on the mini.   Given that the power supply is actually in the "power adapter" The thought crossed my mind that just MAYBE that power hit did its thing on that. The local AAP is shut down for the Labor day weekend so on Tuesday I am gonna haul the Cord and PS over there and see if they can test it, (or maybe a "loaner" just to see.)  I can hope.  Replacement less than a C note should it be bad.


Daryl wacko.gif
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Offline jchuzi

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« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2011, 03:59:05 PM »
Here's a procedure that will cost nothing: Reset PRAM. The first time that I ever added RAM to a computer, there was considerable flakiness in its performance (I don't recall specifics). I phoned the vendor and was advised to reset PRAM. The problem disappeared, forever. It's worth trying.

Does Corsair offer a lifetime warranty? Reputable vendors do. Here are some suggestions if you want to go with a different brand:

Crucial
Other World Computing
18004memory

All are reliable.
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Offline daryl66

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« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2011, 11:15:23 AM »
QUOTE(jchuzi @ Sep 4 2011, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Here's a procedure that will cost nothing: Reset PRAM. The first time that I ever added RAM to a computer, there was considerable flakiness in its performance (I don't recall specifics). I phoned the vendor and was advised to reset PRAM. The problem disappeared, forever. It's worth trying.

Does Corsair offer a lifetime warranty? Reputable vendors do. Here are some suggestions if you want to go with a different brand:

Crucial
Other World Computing
18004memory

All are reliable.

Jon:  Thanks, but unfortunately the problem has gone beyond the Ram issue. The darn thing now just dies  about 30 seconds into a start up.

I have sent correspondence to Fry's electronics where I bought the 2gb stick. (Renton WA).

Daryl
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Offline daryl66

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« Reply #11 on: September 07, 2011, 06:17:06 PM »
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Sep 3 2011, 07:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Another MBP will also provide a SuperDrive. The newest mini's don't even have optical drives. rolleyes.gif It's 'old' technology, don't you know. Everyone will be using iCloud. wallbash.gif


Bit the bullet today. power supply(adapter) works on the AAP's mini. Mine is toast. (anyone need mini parts)????

Ordered a MBP 13" refurb and from NewEgg a 2.5' Sata enclosure to salvage the HD in the Mini. (hopefully it is intact and is not the problem)  10 bucks for the enclosure so I guess even if it is, not much loss.

Daryl

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Offline daryl66

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« Reply #12 on: September 16, 2011, 04:52:11 PM »
QUOTE(daryl66 @ Sep 7 2011, 06:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Bit the bullet today. power supply(adapter) works on the AAP's mini. Mine is toast. (anyone need mini parts)????

Ordered a MBP 13" refurb and from NewEgg a 2.5' Sata enclosure to salvage the HD in the Mini. (hopefully it is intact and is not the problem)  10 bucks for the enclosure so I guess even if it is, not much loss.

Daryl


Another day, another dollar (actually more like another 1K dollars),  New (refurb) 13" MBP arrived today, and all seems to be well.  I was able to salvage the HD from the Mini intact and it works well with the $10 enclosure, between that disc, SuperDuper and a bootable backup on  an external drive managed to get it up and running and so far no issues.  The new machine arrives with NO disks at  all.  No clue as to exactly what happened to the mini, wheither it was the power surge, the new memory or  my many invasions of the innards getting to the memory locations that caused the fatal heart attack I guess will remain a mystery forever.

I have a new computer and now the world traveler lady of the house has a spare JUST IN CASE.

Daryl wacko.gif
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #13 on: September 16, 2011, 07:41:38 PM »
QUOTE
The new machine arrives with NO disks at all.
And that's not because it has Lion installed, either, correct? It's probably to late to call anyone there before Monday but I'd sure want to have those install disks for probably Snow Leopard? I'm pretty sure there is a Hardware Test disk, also. That reminds me, however, to check with my daughter-in-law, her MBP came last Tuesday and we transferred her stuff from her daughters machine easily, but I didn't think to see if there were any disks in the box! It's an Apple Refurb, so they should have been included the disks, I would think. dntknw.gif

Have a great weekend playing with the new toy! clap.gif But, PLEASE, DO NOT OPEN THE CASE!!! laughhard.gif
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Offline daryl66

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« Reply #14 on: September 17, 2011, 12:30:12 PM »
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Sep 16 2011, 07:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
The new machine arrives with NO disks at all.
And that's not because it has Lion installed, either, correct? It's probably to late to call anyone there before Monday but I'd sure want to have those install disks for probably Snow Leopard? I'm pretty sure there is a Hardware Test disk, also. That reminds me, however, to check with my daughter-in-law, her MBP came last Tuesday and we transferred her stuff from her daughters machine easily, but I didn't think to see if there were any disks in the box! It's an Apple Refurb, so they should have been included the disks, I would think. dntknw.gif




Apple confirms that the "pre-installed" Lion devices ship with NO DISKS. Hardware test can be done with the "recovery" partition just by starting up the computer with the "D" (diagnostics) key held down.

"Progress is our most important product"  (forgot who first said that) tongue.gif
 
Daryl tears.gif
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