MacBook Pro Memory Question

[dixonduke]

I have a late 2008 model 15" MBP that I decided to upgrade my memory from 2 gb to 4 gb of RAM today.





I stop by Best Buy on my way home and purchase 2 PNY 2gb 667 Mhz DDR2 SDRAM for laptops, even has MAC compatible on the packaging.

I get home an pop open the battery cover and slip in the 2 new 2gb chips and the computer will not boot.

I take them both out and put back in both of the old ones and it boots.

So I take one of the new ones out and pop in one of the old ones just to see, and it boots fine.



I swap each of the new ones out until each one has been in each slot and booted, but it still will not boot with both of the new ones in at the same time, only with a combination of new and old.

I wanted to get to 4 gb, but 3 is better than 2 I guess.

Any MAC aficionado's out there that might be able to point me in the right direction.

[ddaquaria]

Sounds like bad ram.

I recommend getting your ram either Performance Upgrades; FireWire USB SATA Storage; Memory, more at OWC or RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, flash cards, SSD at Crucial.com

Also, with 2x2GB, you should see 4GB. There were some earlier models (2006 and/or 2007) that would only see 3GB.

[Angelo]

I am a Mac user, but unfortunately I don't mess with any of the innards.
I'm sure someone that does Mac repairs on this board will be able to assist you.

[dixonduke]

Originally Posted by ddaquaria

Sounds like bad ram.

I recommend getting your ram either Performance Upgrades; FireWire USB SATA Storage; Memory, more at OWC or RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, flash cards, SSD at Crucial.com

Also, with 2x2GB, you should see 4GB. There were some earlier models (2006 and/or 2007) that would only see 3GB.

Both memory sticks work individually when paired with one of the old ones.

found some info on the mac support forums, seems to be a pretty common problem. I have yet to find a solution though.

[AndrewCCM]

I used the memory recommended by Crucial for my Macbook Pro and it worked flawlessly.

[dmora]

never ever EVER buy electronics from best buy, especially computer memory.

ramseeker®: Memory and Ram prices. Apple, PC, Digital Camera for independent price comparisons.

Performance Upgrades; FireWire USB SATA Storage; Memory, more at OWC typically has great prices and good service. Ive done lots of business with them.

Also RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, flash cards, SSD at Crucial.com has great memory but more expensive typically.


Mac Compatible is a huge misnomer. It technically means nothing since Macs and PCs are basically 100% similar now in terms of hardware and electrical components.

Memory is generic between Macs and PCs, the problem people encounter are getting the wrong spec'd memory for their computer which can happen between a mac or a PC.

[srwatters]

I have the exact same model 15" MBP that you have and upgraded from 2GB to 4GB. I purchased my memory from Memorytogo.com. In fact all the memory in three of the 4 macs I have came from them and is working perfectly. I'll agree with Daniel on OWC (OtherWorldComputing). They have excellent service and prices too.

Return the junk from Best Buy and get it online. You won't be sorry.

[dixonduke]

I just returned the memory modules and got my money back......

Thanks for the guidance folks... Appears to be a speed/sync issue with the PNY ram when used in pairs (4gb Total). But would work when paired with one of the the original memory modules, 1gb + 2gb = 3gb.

I was hoping for that instant gratification thing is why I purchased from a store front instead of online. But now... Onward to Plan B.

[dixonduke]

Originally Posted by srwatters

I have the exact same model 15" MBP that you have and upgraded from 2GB to 4GB. I purchased my memory from Memorytogo.com. In fact all the memory in three of the 4 macs I have came from them and is working perfectly. I'll agree with Daniel on OWC (OtherWorldComputing). They have excellent service and prices too.

Return the junk from Best Buy and get it online. You won't be sorry.

Glad to read this... I am wow'd by the prices too!

Quick Question.

Which ones did you get, I am thinking that if yours worked perfectly, I will just get the same ones....

I am leaning towards the samsung, as that is was is in the machine now, but I have read others purchasing the kingston. If its a ford/chevy thing, I don't care, as I have no loyalty to either.

Thanks,
Duke

[srwatters]

My receipt shows SMG0873206 as the part number. I bought them in April 2008 and paid $62 each for them. Now they're down to $45! Nice.

[dixonduke]

Samsung it is then. Thanks, I will update when they arrive.

[srwatters]

BTW, I'm also running full 64 bit in Snow Leopard on my MBP. It takes a couple of tricks to get it to go (replace a driver and tweak a setting), but it's very fast and runs either Parallels 5 or VMware Fusion quite snappy if you have a need for Windows.

[dixonduke]

Thats good to know. I have been on the fence on upgrading the OS. I am not disappointed in 10.5 on my MBP, and my iMac desktop. Any problems reloading CS4 or any of the programs you were running under 10.5?

[KenJulio]

I also have the same model MBP and ordered the Crucial Memory and dropped then right in with no issues. Now I'm planning on dropping 600 for 8gb for my 13" MBP since crucial has a 'special' going on.

What I really wanted to say, it's hard to go wrong with Crucial even though you're paying a pretty penny for them.

[dixonduke]

Wow... I didn't know you could expand to 8gb! I was reading that you could "unoffically" go to 6gb, but not 8gb. Good Luck with your upgrade.

For the curious, this is why I am upgrading...