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#1 2008-01-28 5:59 pm
- VascularDoc
- Member
- From: Lincoln Park
- Registered: 2008-01-02
- Posts: 17
Upgrading memory in iBook G4
I suggested a friend upgrade their iBook G4 with 1GB of RAM before installing Leopard.
I've been asked to do this, me and my big mouth -- Anyway, can anyone tell me how to do it? And what tips or other things I need to know before attempting this memory upgrade?
For the record, in this iBook there is 768 total right now. 256 built-in and 512 added by Apple at time of purchase. I figure I am taking out the 512 and installing 1GB.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me.
Last edited by VascularDoc (2008-01-28 6:00 pm)
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#2 2008-01-28 7:32 pm
- D'Eyncourt
- OMGDICTATOR
- Registered: 2001-12-27
- Posts: 8265
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Re: Upgrading memory in iBook G4
Just check the appropriate iFixIt Guide which has pictoral take-apart guides on most of the recent Apple laptops, iPods and the iPhone. The RAM slot is easily accessible in the iBooks, although you will need a small Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the plate that covers the RAM.
If you do not have the RAM yet, I can recommend Other World Computing.
BOYCOTT SONY
"I think the question now is not whether you went to Vietnam or whether you didn't, whether you fought in the war or fought against the war. I think the only question is whether we can find a president smart enough never to make a mistake like that again"--Molly Ivins, way back in 1992
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#3 2008-01-28 8:05 pm
- VascularDoc
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- From: Lincoln Park
- Registered: 2008-01-02
- Posts: 17
Re: Upgrading memory in iBook G4
Thanks! I sent them to OWC for the RAM. I have been a loyal customer for years.
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#4 2008-01-28 8:22 pm
- pkmgarf
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- From: Sussex, WI
- Registered: 2007-06-13
- Posts: 459
Re: Upgrading memory in iBook G4
Just out of curiosity, what is the max RAM on that iBook. I thought I remember reading something about it only being willing to recognize 1 gb total. So, if you put a 1 gb stick in, the onboard 256 mb is pretty useless if that is the case.
I could be WAY off base here, but some part of my brain thought there was some issue with more than 1 gb of RAM.
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#5 2008-01-29 1:16 am
- D'Eyncourt
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Re: Upgrading memory in iBook G4
pkmgarf wrote:
Just out of curiosity, what is the max RAM on that iBook. I thought I remember reading something about it only being willing to recognize 1 gb total. So, if you put a 1 gb stick in, the onboard 256 mb is pretty useless if that is the case.
I could be WAY off base here, but some part of my brain thought there was some issue with more than 1 gb of RAM.
The limit is 1 GB added for all of the G4 iBooks--total RAM will be that plus whatever is soldered to the motherboard: 128 or 256 MBs. The specs on the first models of G4 iBooks had an Apple limit of 512 MBs added, but all of the G4 iBooks can use a 1 GB stick in their single RAM slot.
BOYCOTT SONY
"I think the question now is not whether you went to Vietnam or whether you didn't, whether you fought in the war or fought against the war. I think the only question is whether we can find a president smart enough never to make a mistake like that again"--Molly Ivins, way back in 1992
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#6 2008-01-29 1:38 pm
- pkmgarf
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- From: Sussex, WI
- Registered: 2007-06-13
- Posts: 459
Re: Upgrading memory in iBook G4
^^^Thank you. I guess my thought wasn't completely off center. I knew there was something like that.
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#7 2008-01-29 6:54 pm
- VascularDoc
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- From: Lincoln Park
- Registered: 2008-01-02
- Posts: 17
Re: Upgrading memory in iBook G4
This just may be the dumbest question I've asked yet but can the person who is upgrading their iBook safely sell the (used) 512MB RAM on ebay?
Last edited by VascularDoc (2008-01-29 7:01 pm)
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#8 2008-01-29 7:13 pm
- FutureDreamz
- 1.1.2.3.5.8.13.21.34.55
- From: カナダ
- Registered: 2007-01-07
- Posts: 4511
Re: Upgrading memory in iBook G4
VascularDoc wrote:
This just may be the dumbest question I've asked yet but can the person who is upgrading their iBook safely sell the (used) 512MB RAM on ebay?
No. The RAM in your iBook is universal and can be used in any system without issues.
Thanks for clicking.
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#9 2008-01-29 9:00 pm
- VascularDoc
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- From: Lincoln Park
- Registered: 2008-01-02
- Posts: 17
Re: Upgrading memory in iBook G4
I figured the security of their personal items is all on the hard drive and not in the RAM. I just wanted to reassure them they could safely sell the RAM. Thank you - I appreciate your reply.
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#10 2008-01-30 1:17 am
- D'Eyncourt
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Re: Upgrading memory in iBook G4
VascularDoc wrote:
I figured the security of their personal items is all on the hard drive and not in the RAM. I just wanted to reassure them they could safely sell the RAM. Thank you - I appreciate your reply.
Ah, I wouldn't have understood what you were asking from your last question.
RAM is volatile memory meaning that it requires power to maintain its contents. Once power is removed, everything that was stored in RAM is lost. They can safely sell that RAM for reuse without any worries about any previous contents. It is a fine thing that they are exercising such caution.
(Although, quite frankly, I'm not sure if they can barely recover the price of shipping materials considering that OWC is selling new and guaranteed 512 MB sticks for G4 iBooks for $29).
BOYCOTT SONY
"I think the question now is not whether you went to Vietnam or whether you didn't, whether you fought in the war or fought against the war. I think the only question is whether we can find a president smart enough never to make a mistake like that again"--Molly Ivins, way back in 1992
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#11 2008-01-30 7:15 pm
- VascularDoc
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- From: Lincoln Park
- Registered: 2008-01-02
- Posts: 17
Re: Upgrading memory in iBook G4
Well the way I see it (and I am sure my friend with the iBook would agree), selling the RAM for $10.00 - $20.00 -- and spending a dollar for a small padded envelope and postage (using the plastic container OWC used to send their new RAM in, is better than sitting in a drawer for years. Of course if they chose to utilize ebay, then it would cost them a few dollars more. Craigslist and Mac forums may be their best first choice to offer such a deal.
Thanks for your replies.
Last edited by VascularDoc (2008-01-30 7:20 pm)
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#12 2008-01-30 8:01 pm
- pkmgarf
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Re: Upgrading memory in iBook G4
*edit*
Nevermind....I found my own answer.
Last edited by pkmgarf (2008-01-30 8:02 pm)
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