DIMM1/J31 failure

J

janet1954

Registered
As my Mac G4 Powerbook is slow, I checked the automatic disk test and it said there was a Memory failure, with Memory Slot DIMM1/J31. I tried restarting from the original disk and going to the disk utility, but it would not let me click
 
You need to replace that memory stick, then try the memory test again.
Keep in mind that certain models of the G4 PowerBook had memory slot problems, and you may have one of those.
 
Thanks. I don't have a memory stick. What else can I do? If I have one of those G4s with a problem, is there anything I can do about it?
 
Sorry, my bad! The memory that you already have installed can be swapped between the slots. Another way to check out what's happening - is to remove one of your memory cards, and try the test. If that passes, move that memory card to the _other_ slot, and test again. If you again get a good test, install your second card in the now-empty slot, and test _again_. If you now get a failure, you know which card is bad, and which slot it is in. You may find that one slot always tests bad, regardless of which card is installed in that slot. The only fix, in that situation, is replacing the logic board. Apple used to have a replacement program for certain models, but is expired, and no longer an option. Replacing a logic board in a G4 PowerBook is probably not worth doing, but you _can_ upgrade to the largest card for the one good slot, which will be 1 GB, and will be OK for a lot of uses.

I'm not saying that you _will_ have a bad slot. More than likely, just one card is bad. You do some of the switching/testing, and you can determine which card that is, and replace with a new card.
 
Machine Name: PowerBook G4 12"
Machine Model: PowerBook6,4
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.1)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.33 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 256 MB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.8.3f1
Serial Number: UV41914EPLX
 
Chapter 4 of your manual details memory installation, beginning on page 50. I don't think 12" PowerBooks had slot issues. The hardware error should be referring to the accessible slot as the memory attached to the logic board would be called DIMM0.

You should be able to start up fine on the original disc after removing the second module. Assuming all is well and the second module was the problem, you can install up to 1GB more for about $45 shipped.
 
OK. I read my manual (!!) and found I have only one memory slot, and it is empty. The original 256 MB of SDRAM is installed on the logic board. When I run the Disk Utility, here is the message I get:
"Volume Header needs minor repair
The volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired.
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit"

Can anyone interpret this? What should I do?

Thank you for helping a dummy!


1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair
 
This is not a memory issue. If Disk Utility is unable to repair your hard disk, you need to use a more capable utility, like DiskWarrior. Perhaps you can find a friend or an Apple service provider who will charge you less than the cost of the software to run it on your system.

If you are able to start up at all, then there doesn't seem to be a memory problem.
 
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