PowerBook G4 15" Lower Memory Slot Failure
Without being aware of it,
this is the post where I nailed the source of the problems I've been having with my PowerBook.
In a nutshell, the lower RAM slot on the logic board has failed, meaning that only memory in the upper RAM slot is registered. A little cursory googling revealed that replacement logic boards (labour NOT included) were in the range of $699-$799. I couldn't find any quotes in pounds sterling. "Shit", I thought, "I don't have AppleCare. Shit. Shit.
SHIT. I
knew I should have got it. Damn penny-pinching mentality..." *sigh*
Diligent as ever, I widened the scope of my enquiries and via a highly convoluted process (involving a painful encounter with Google Translator - heh) I discovered that I am the victim of an official Apple Shafting™. I am now one of several sore-bottomed owners of the following error code:
Code:
post/0/2048 SODIMM0/J25LOWER
(That's "post/0/2048 SODIMM0/J25LOWER" with
two m's, for any Google crawlers out there.) This identifies me as having purchased one of any model of Apple's
present range, and entire back-catalogue, of aluminium-clad PowerBook G4 15" notebook computers... and having received one
prone to logic board failure. Let me say that again: PowerBook G4's are
prone to logic board failure. Oh, and Apple hasn't instituted an out-of-warranty repair scheme, nor even recognised the issue. Cheeky bastards.
The lower RAM slot can stop registering at any time, from weeks to years after purchase. The only true remedy is a full logic board replacement. However, since Apple has not re-engineered replacement boards, people can find that their powerbook falls prey to the same hardware failure again and again, and
again. The only other option is to buy a large RAM stick and rely on the upper RAM slot only. This may be my cheapest option for the moment. (Maybe not "cheap" if 2GB sticks available?
)
***
There is, of course, an accusatory website:
http://lowermemoryslot.editkid.com/
a petition (with 800+ signatures):
http://lowermemoryslot.editkid.com/index.php?view=yes
and a *locked* and hidden Apple Discussions thread (with 315 posts):
http://216.239.39.104/translate_c?hl...lr%3D%26sa%3DN
***
I have made only two expensive Apple purchases: a PowerBook G4 15", and an ACD 20". Both had to be returned due to hardware defects (white spots, pink hue). Both now exhibit hardware defects (lower RAM slot failure, pink hue). Great.
Check your 'About This Mac' boxes my little chickedees... Have you "lost RAM"? I wouldn't be surprised if someone at AN finds that they have.