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#1 2008-04-11 11:51 am
Powerbook G4 onboard RAM problem
A Powerbook 1.33 ghz G4 I'm looking at has some problems with the motherboard built-in memory (256 MB); it's been diagnosed as bad RAM (intermittent hanging). Is it possible to remove the built-in RAM by de-soldering or other method, without threatening the health of the MOBO?
Could you then just install RAM modules into the plug-in slots and expect it to function correctly, without the built-in MOBO RAM, or is this going to be too problematic?
Last edited by adamjg (2008-04-11 11:52 am)
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#2 2008-04-11 11:57 am
- dvpierce
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Re: Powerbook G4 onboard RAM problem
http://forums.macosxhints.com/archive/i … 41228.html
http://www.kernelthread.com/mac/osx/arch_boot.html
You might be able to trick something with Open Firmware, but apparently disabling the onboard ram is possible too.
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#4 2008-04-11 6:13 pm
- D'Eyncourt
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Re: Powerbook G4 onboard RAM problem
iFixIt has this set of take-apart guides for the 12" PB, although they do not specify the location of the built-in RAM.
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#5 2008-04-12 3:30 pm
Re: Powerbook G4 onboard RAM problem
Thanks, it's actually a 15" PB G4. It's still not clear after reading the links how one would disable the built-in MOBO RAM in Firmware, and I can't seem to find anything that specific by Googling. It doesn't seem like anything was there about it on the Apple site. And the typical take apart guides don't cover it as well. Oh well.
Someone mentioned removing the chip from the MOBO, but someone else said it would be better to disable the RAM by cutting the power to it, but knowing how to do that is the tricky part.
Last edited by adamjg (2008-04-12 3:33 pm)
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#6 2008-04-12 4:57 pm
- D'Eyncourt
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Re: Powerbook G4 onboard RAM problem
As far as I know, none of the 15" PowerBooks have RAM built onto the motherboard (well, except for video RAM). They all have had two slots for RAM, and removing all of that RAM would result with a PB with 0 MBs RAM. Only the 12" PBs have built-in RAM, which is why I assumed that yours was one of the latter.
Basic info on nearly all Apple machines can be found at Apple History or by downloading MacTracker (donationware).
EDIT: removed "one or" from number of RAM slots for 15" PBs--I was wrong, all of them have two slots.
Last edited by D'Eyncourt (2008-04-12 4:58 pm)
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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