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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Remove the internal ram

jmaster_x - Feb 1, 2007 - 8:18 pm

Hello,

I was wondering if there is a guide avalable to remove the onboard 256mb of ram. I have an Ibook G4 and it has a firmware password that I don't know and cannot obtain. I read that by removing ram and putting it back in you can reset the pram and doing so 3 times resets the password. I would like to know where the onboard 256mb of ram is so I can do this. I would log in as admin and run open firmware but I can't even use the HD because it wants to boot from network, if there is a way to make it boot from the hd that would be just as useful.

Thanks

DeltaMac - Feb 1, 2007 - 10:26 pm

Your iBook should eventually boot to the hard drive. Have you tried simply waiting for it to boot? It could take as long as 10-15 minutes. If it does finally boot, you can then change the Startup Disk setting.

If you actually have an open-firmware password (you get a blue screen which shows a padlock, and a blank password line, with a right-arrow icon), there's only one way to bypass it.
You can't remove the onboard RAM. It's permanently soldered to the logic board! The idea is to CHANGE the memory configuration, then do that PRAM reset. You can do that by adding memory to the internal slot. That's underneath the keyboard, and you will need to remove a small panel to get at the memory slot.

Hope this helps you...
- Dale

jmaster_x - Feb 1, 2007 - 10:52 pm

Thank you,

bear in mind though that I told it to restart with Network Startup in startup disk preference pane. When I leave it be for 30 seconds, the globe changes to a small os9 looking folder. After about 10 minuites the computer turns off on its own. Is there any way to induce the memory configuration thing without buying ram?

thanks,

DeltaMac - Feb 2, 2007 - 6:40 am

No, there is no other way to reset the firmware password.

Where did you buy this iBook - or did you set the firmware password yourself?

If this iBook belongs to someone else, maybe they could help you.

But, try taking the battery out, and power disconnected. Leave in this condition for at least overnight. Put the battery in, connect your power adapter, (Do not connect ANY other cables, especially ethernet) and press and hold Option-Apple-Shift-Power for a couple of seconds. Release, and press the power button. Hold Option-Apple-P-R
Listen for your boot chime. Keep holding those 4 keys for at least a minute. If you get the boot chime more than once, you may be OK. Release those keys, and wait to see if you get to the system, and your desktop.
If you do, Set your Date and Time (it will be wrong), and set your Startup Disk, and restart, and you should be good.
If you get a password screen while holding that Option-Apple-P and R, then your only choice is adding more memory, and reset then, It will work, and your should keep the extra memory. You will see better performance with more memory, so you will accomplish two things!
That's what you need...
- Dale

jmaster_x - Feb 2, 2007 - 12:30 pm

hello,

Okay, I went and bought a strip of 256mb of 200pin ddr pc3200 notebook memory. I then put it in and the laptop doesn't boot, the fan starts running full blast and I see nothing but a black screen, I removed the ram and it went back to normal, what could be the problem?

- Feb 2, 2007 - 1:37 pm

okay i had to buy different type of ram and works NP now, boots fin4e, now i'm not sure how the pram reset works? do I do that command, restart, do it, reboot, do it reboot then i can do command S and what not? I'm not sure how to do this, can you reexplain this part indepth, thanks

DeltaMac - Feb 2, 2007 - 2:36 pm

reset PRAM:
restart, or just press the power switch, while holding Apple-Option-P-R
listen for the boot chime, continue to hold those 4 keys. Hold until you hear the boot chime 2 more times. release, and let your iBook boot normally.
Make sure that you set your Startup Drive
You will then be able to do whatever else you want to do.
- Dale