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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Problems with Dual G4 Powermac
macnhell - Jan 28, 2006 - 12:47 am
Please refer to previous question ID 17698 - to give you background.
Had memory replaced and am still experiencing problems with software crashing and not being able to do basic things in software. Tried to run the Apple Hardware Test CD today and it came up each time with the following response: Invalid memory access at
SRRO: ae0c0108 SRR1: 0c01086f when I chose to continue it came up as invalid memory access at
SRRO: 101400108 SRR1 40010870. (it worked last time I used it and advised memory problem).
I took out memory that was replaced last - still have problems. Had a look at all memory and it is all different:
256MB DDR 333 PC2700 25330(slot 1)
512MB DDR 400 PC3200U - 30330 (Slot 2)
512MB DDR 400 PC3200U - 30331 (Slot 3)
Is this memory compatible? I looked up on Apple site but only indicates 2700 for a G4 Dual Processor - Mirror Body.
Any advise on what I should try now? Thanks very much - appreciate your assistance. Sue
Had memory replaced and am still experiencing problems with software crashing and not being able to do basic things in software. Tried to run the Apple Hardware Test CD today and it came up each time with the following response: Invalid memory access at
SRRO: ae0c0108 SRR1: 0c01086f when I chose to continue it came up as invalid memory access at
SRRO: 101400108 SRR1 40010870. (it worked last time I used it and advised memory problem).
I took out memory that was replaced last - still have problems. Had a look at all memory and it is all different:
256MB DDR 333 PC2700 25330(slot 1)
512MB DDR 400 PC3200U - 30330 (Slot 2)
512MB DDR 400 PC3200U - 30331 (Slot 3)
Is this memory compatible? I looked up on Apple site but only indicates 2700 for a G4 Dual Processor - Mirror Body.
Any advise on what I should try now? Thanks very much - appreciate your assistance. Sue
stottm - Jan 28, 2006 - 9:17 am
I read your prior ticket ID 17698. I have a slightly older PowerMac G4 w/Mirror doors & dual 1Ghz. Your problem certainly seems to be a RAM problem. Cheap RAM or incorrect RAM can cause the problems you are having. I have experienced it myself. Apple hardware is notoriously picky about the RAM it requires. I had similar issues with a seemingly proper 512MB (generic -- and very inexpensive). In my case the cheap RAM worked fine in a PC but gave my Mac fits.
The Apple hardware tests are not that good, i.e. you need to run them many many times and take an average of the results. The fact that you are getting an error indicates the RAM is definitely bad or at least incompatible with the Apple hardware.
I don't believe that the model of PowerMac that you have will take advantage of the PC3200 RAM. The manual specs PC2700 for the 167MHz front side bus. It should however work, just running at PC2700 speeds rather then PC3200 speeds. I still recommend the PC2700 even though it's the same price. None of the Apple documented specs mention anything greater then PC2700. Mixing these speeds could cause problems.
I am positive that replacing the RAM in your PowerMac G4 will solve the hardware problem and that upgrading your firmware and replacing your OS with Tiger 10.4 will make a huge difference.
Here's what you do:
1. Go here: http://crucial.com/ - Apple - Power Mac - Power Mac G4 (Dual 1.25GHz DDR)
2. Part# CT259533 - DDR PC2700 CL=2.5 UNBUFFERED NON-ECC DDR333 2.5V 64M x 64
3. Replace ALL your RAM with Micron Crucial memory. This is in my opinion the best RAM on the market. You buy direct from Crucial online and you get a reasonable price. It won't be the cheapest but it's not bad at all.
- Price is currently $60.99 USD for 2 (1GB - 2 x 512MB's) that's $121.98 plus tax & shipping.
Here is what Apple has to say about RAM (found in the Power Mac G4 users manual - PDF online at Apple). http://download.info.apple.com/Apple...acG4DualSU.PDF
--------------------------------------------
Your computer uses Double-Data-Rate (DDR) Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access
Memory (SDRAM) in packages called Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM). You can install
additional DIMMs in the four DDR SDRAM slots on your computer’s main logic board, up to
a maximum of 2 gigabytes.
Depending on your computer’s bus speed, 133 MHz or 167 MHz, you have one of these
types of memory installed:
- 133 MHz systems use PC 2100 DIMMs.
- 167 MHz systems use PC 2700 DIMMs.
DIMMs must fit these specifications:
- 2.5 volt (V)
- 64-bit wide, 184-pin module
- Maximum number of memory devices on DDR SDRAM is 16.
- Non parity
- No error correcting codes (ECC)
- Unbuffered; do not use registered or buffered DDR SDRAM. Important
When you install additional memory, make sure you have the correct memory
speed for your computer’s bus speed. To find the bus speed of your computer, use Apple
System Profiler, which is in the Utilities folder in your computer’s Applications folder. Refer to Hardware Overview section of the System Profile for your computer’s bus speed.
Note: When purchasing DDR SDRAM for use in Macintosh computers, make sure that the
memory vendor conforms to the JEDEC specification. Check with your memory vendor to
ensure that the DDR SDRAM supports the correct timing modes and that the Serial Presence Detect (SPD) feature has been programmed properly, as described in the JEDEC
specification.
----------------------------------------
Additionally, you mentioned a noise issue on the PowerMac G4. I found this Apple Support document that discusses a firmware upgrade to help reduce the noise. Bearing in mind that it's still going to be noisy, I noticed this update did reduce my noise levels a bit.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42948
*** DANGER Wil Robinson *** DO NOT APPLY THIS UPDATE UNTIL YOU STABILIZE YOUR SYSTEM WITH NEW RAM - If it should lockup during the firmware writing process you will ruin the firmware chip and that will require a hardware repair by Apple.
I would also recommend buying a copy of Tiger (it's faster then 10.2.8 by an order of magnitude -- you are two OS versions behind, major improvements have been made to the OS since 10.2.8), backing up all your data and doing a clean re-install. i.e. wipe the disk completely and install the Tiger 10.4 operating system. Then re-install your applications and copy your data back. Run all the software updates.
For backup, I would recommend that you buy an external firewire hard disk as well. This makes it extremely convenient to backup. You will be able to transfer data at 400Mbps which is faster then most networks (baring a full Gigabit network). Alternatively, you can burn up to 4.5 GB's of data onto DVD's or backup 700MB's to multiple CD's.
On a side note, you can even get an upgraded SuperDrive from http://www.mcetech.com/ ($79.00) I just bought one for my aging PowerMac G4 Dual 1GHz Mirrored drive bay and it is much faster when burning CD's or DVD's and it supports the new Dual Layer 8.5GB DVD's. I was very impressed by the MCE Technologies installation manual. It was very well written; not that I needed it but I could see how it would help someone who had never installed a DVD drive before.
The Apple hardware tests are not that good, i.e. you need to run them many many times and take an average of the results. The fact that you are getting an error indicates the RAM is definitely bad or at least incompatible with the Apple hardware.
I don't believe that the model of PowerMac that you have will take advantage of the PC3200 RAM. The manual specs PC2700 for the 167MHz front side bus. It should however work, just running at PC2700 speeds rather then PC3200 speeds. I still recommend the PC2700 even though it's the same price. None of the Apple documented specs mention anything greater then PC2700. Mixing these speeds could cause problems.
I am positive that replacing the RAM in your PowerMac G4 will solve the hardware problem and that upgrading your firmware and replacing your OS with Tiger 10.4 will make a huge difference.
Here's what you do:
1. Go here: http://crucial.com/ - Apple - Power Mac - Power Mac G4 (Dual 1.25GHz DDR)
2. Part# CT259533 - DDR PC2700 CL=2.5 UNBUFFERED NON-ECC DDR333 2.5V 64M x 64
3. Replace ALL your RAM with Micron Crucial memory. This is in my opinion the best RAM on the market. You buy direct from Crucial online and you get a reasonable price. It won't be the cheapest but it's not bad at all.
- Price is currently $60.99 USD for 2 (1GB - 2 x 512MB's) that's $121.98 plus tax & shipping.
Here is what Apple has to say about RAM (found in the Power Mac G4 users manual - PDF online at Apple). http://download.info.apple.com/Apple...acG4DualSU.PDF
--------------------------------------------
Your computer uses Double-Data-Rate (DDR) Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access
Memory (SDRAM) in packages called Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM). You can install
additional DIMMs in the four DDR SDRAM slots on your computer’s main logic board, up to
a maximum of 2 gigabytes.
Depending on your computer’s bus speed, 133 MHz or 167 MHz, you have one of these
types of memory installed:
- 133 MHz systems use PC 2100 DIMMs.
- 167 MHz systems use PC 2700 DIMMs.
DIMMs must fit these specifications:
- 2.5 volt (V)
- 64-bit wide, 184-pin module
- Maximum number of memory devices on DDR SDRAM is 16.
- Non parity
- No error correcting codes (ECC)
- Unbuffered; do not use registered or buffered DDR SDRAM. Important
When you install additional memory, make sure you have the correct memory
speed for your computer’s bus speed. To find the bus speed of your computer, use Apple
System Profiler, which is in the Utilities folder in your computer’s Applications folder. Refer to Hardware Overview section of the System Profile for your computer’s bus speed.
Note: When purchasing DDR SDRAM for use in Macintosh computers, make sure that the
memory vendor conforms to the JEDEC specification. Check with your memory vendor to
ensure that the DDR SDRAM supports the correct timing modes and that the Serial Presence Detect (SPD) feature has been programmed properly, as described in the JEDEC
specification.
----------------------------------------
Additionally, you mentioned a noise issue on the PowerMac G4. I found this Apple Support document that discusses a firmware upgrade to help reduce the noise. Bearing in mind that it's still going to be noisy, I noticed this update did reduce my noise levels a bit.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42948
*** DANGER Wil Robinson *** DO NOT APPLY THIS UPDATE UNTIL YOU STABILIZE YOUR SYSTEM WITH NEW RAM - If it should lockup during the firmware writing process you will ruin the firmware chip and that will require a hardware repair by Apple.
I would also recommend buying a copy of Tiger (it's faster then 10.2.8 by an order of magnitude -- you are two OS versions behind, major improvements have been made to the OS since 10.2.8), backing up all your data and doing a clean re-install. i.e. wipe the disk completely and install the Tiger 10.4 operating system. Then re-install your applications and copy your data back. Run all the software updates.
For backup, I would recommend that you buy an external firewire hard disk as well. This makes it extremely convenient to backup. You will be able to transfer data at 400Mbps which is faster then most networks (baring a full Gigabit network). Alternatively, you can burn up to 4.5 GB's of data onto DVD's or backup 700MB's to multiple CD's.
On a side note, you can even get an upgraded SuperDrive from http://www.mcetech.com/ ($79.00) I just bought one for my aging PowerMac G4 Dual 1GHz Mirrored drive bay and it is much faster when burning CD's or DVD's and it supports the new Dual Layer 8.5GB DVD's. I was very impressed by the MCE Technologies installation manual. It was very well written; not that I needed it but I could see how it would help someone who had never installed a DVD drive before.
macnhell - Jan 29, 2006 - 5:06 am
Thanks for your reply/advice Stottm. I will go to your suggested web sites. I will purchase the Ram and see how I go. I am certainly not adverse to updating my software - only adverse to spending money on a system that will still not work! And yes I also agree re the Superdrive upgrade. Hopefully it is the memory and all systems will be go. Will check out Australian suppliers for your suggested Ram, if not will purchase direct from US. Will let you know how system operates when received new stock. Thanks again.... very much appreciated. Sue
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