http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


After I upgraded - kapoot...



Anyone have any brilliant fixes? ]]>Dec 28th 2005 11:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


:-)



(Just messing with ya'll... i have a Mini and love it just as much as my HP laptop.)]]>Dec 28th 2005 11:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 11:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


If one of my RAM slots didn't work I wouldn't hesitate to get it fixed through applecare.



]]>Dec 28th 2005 12:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


The applestore says that the hard drive is tanked.



The machine goes through the boot sequence, but when the status bar gets full, it just hangs. No safe mode, either :(]]>Dec 28th 2005 12:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


...No problems through any updates.





((However, I do have a sticky hinge, finnicky latch, and a corroding wrist rest that I eventually need to get fixed under AppleCare... ...if only I could pull myself away from my otherwise OK Powerbook.))]]>Dec 28th 2005 12:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/
There's an online petition going with a shedload of signatures about 15inch PowerBooks going tits up which can be found here:

http://lowermemoryslot.editkid.com/



My PowerBook started acting up right after my applecare ran out (great timing I know).

Talking to people at the Apple stores and writing to Apple resulted in nothing for me. It's a good thing that this problems is being exposed on sites like this.

Sometimes I think Apple only react when they start to get enough bad publicity to cause concern. Otherwise they just don't want to know.]]>Dec 28th 2005 12:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


]]>Dec 28th 2005 12:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


]]>Dec 28th 2005 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


I added a second 512MB chip into it (total 1GB).

I later upgraded to 10.4 (currently running 10.4.3).



No problems here.]]>Dec 28th 2005 12:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


1. Resetting the NVRAM in Open Firmware:



- Hold command-option-O-F (that's the letter O) at boot, and continue holding until a white screen with black text appears



- Issue the commands:



reset-nvram

set-defaults

reset-all



(The last command here causes a reboot)



OR



2. Resetting the Power Management Unit (it's a long shot, but it's worth a try since it's easy:



- http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449#faq11



It would be interesting to see if the RAM slot is magically reenabled, becuase I highly, highly doubt that the RAM slot is "fried". No, let me rephrase: that is DEFINITELY not happening. Additionally, given the amount of PowerBooks we have going through here, this must be an extremely isolated issue, because I haven't seen this happen yet. And lastly, all of the machines in question are all under warranty, so even if something did happen, just get it fixed instead of complaining about it...



By telephone in the US: 1-800-APL-CARE

By visiting any Apple Retail location: http://www.apple.com/retail/

By visiting any Apple Authorized Service Provider: http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service.html



]]>Dec 28th 2005 12:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


I guess this firmware thingy is the problem!]]>Dec 28th 2005 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/
Way to go Apple.]]>Dec 28th 2005 12:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 12:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/Dec 28th 2005 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


Then i began getting kernel panics. I was told this was a software issue by the apple care people, or something to do with my 3rd party ram. although through all of my own diagnosis, it looked as if the lower slot was dead.



I sent the computer into Apple, who then replaced the motherboard, the hard drive and some other things, returned the computer telling me it was the third party ram that had caused the issues.



it was a nightmare to deal with.

]]>Dec 28th 2005 1:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/28/mac-os-x-updates-disable-and-or-damage-powerbook-memory-hardware/


"I know it's not the stick since it works fine in my own Powerbook."



I placed it in my own Powerbook (as the only stick of RAM) in the top slot and it works perfectly fine. ]]>Dec 28th 2005 1:18PM