A group of PowerBook G4 owners have begun an online petition requesting that Apple acknowledge and repair a long-standing issue with the lower memory slot in certain aluminum PowerBook G4 models.
The problem seems to be present in Apple’s 15″ 1 GHz, 1.25 GHz, 1.33 GHz, 1.5 GHz and 1.67 GHz models, the lower memory slot eventually failing. According to MacNN article, Apple has posted a frequently asked questions page regarding the problem, but users have complained that while the fix initially worked, the slot would later fail again, the computers later lapsing from their warranty periods.
The error includes the following symptoms:
-The computer does not start up; instead, there are three short beeps (typically) followed by the the sleep LED flashing periodically.
-When both SO-DIMM memory slots are filled (populated), only one slot’s memory is recognized.
-System performance may be degraded because the memory in only one slot is not recognized.
To date, Apple as noted the the symptoms may occur on occasion and lists the higher-end 1.5 GHz and 1.67 MHz models as being eligible for its Memory Slot Repair Extension program. Owners who have encountered the problem have pointed out that lower-end models are excluded from the program, despite the widespread nature of the problem.
If you’ve run across this problem or know someone who has, let us know.
A group of PowerBook G4 owners have begun an online petition requesting that Apple acknowledge and repair a long-standing issue with the lower memory slot in certain aluminum PowerBook G4 models.
The problem seems to be present in Apple’s 15″ 1 GHz, 1.25 GHz, 1.33 GHz, 1.5 GHz and 1.67 GHz models, the lower memory slot eventually failing. According to MacNN article, Apple has posted a frequently asked questions page regarding the problem, but users have complained that while the fix initially worked, the slot would later fail again, the computers later lapsing from their warranty periods.
The error includes the following symptoms:
-The computer does not start up; instead, there are three short beeps (typically) followed by the the sleep LED flashing periodically.
-When both SO-DIMM memory slots are filled (populated), only one slot’s memory is recognized.
-System performance may be degraded because the memory in only one slot is not recognized.
To date, Apple as noted the the symptoms may occur on occasion and lists the higher-end 1.5 GHz and 1.67 MHz models as being eligible for its Memory Slot Repair Extension program. Owners who have encountered the problem have pointed out that lower-end models are excluded from the program, despite the widespread nature of the problem.
If you’ve run across this problem or know someone who has, let us know.
3 replies on “PowerBook G4 Memory Slot Petition Begins”
My G4 Powerbook FW800's lower memory slot crapped out recently. Oh yeah I bought the computer in March '07 as a refurb and purchased the AppleCare warranty several months afterward. Anyway, dragged the PB into an Apple store in Whitehall, PA for repair 10 days ago. Shortly after that visit to the Genius Bar a sales rep called to say they wanted to replace my laptop with a new macbook pro! Yea? How much? Oh no charge sir! Whaa?? You're kidding me? Nope! Picked up the the new mac today!
My G4 Powerbook FW800's lower memory slot crapped out recently. Oh yeah I bought the computer in March '07 as a refurb and purchased the AppleCare warranty several months afterward. Anyway, dragged the PB into an Apple store in Whitehall, PA for repair 10 days ago. Shortly after that visit to the Genius Bar a sales rep called to say they wanted to replace my laptop with a new macbook pro! Yea? How much? Oh no charge sir! Whaa?? You're kidding me? Nope! Picked up the the new mac today!
1.5 G4 PB – no apple care – recently sold 2 x 512 RAM and bought a single 1GB module as the lower slot failed. Seems to be OK (stable) at the moment. I now have a very noisy fan – unrelated I think. I had no idea that this was a wider issue.