Does anyone have a Mac?

mrtg0525

I'm using Crucial pretty much every time I have to put more memory into a computer and only ever had one module fail out of god knows how many. They replaced that very quickly even though I had lost the receipt.

AFAIR Crucial memory has a lifetime warranty (actually a "limited lifetime warranty" according to their website) and for me that's worth the few quid more that it costs compared to no-name memory.

TiTheRev

Sounds good, thanks for the advice guys

Moneymaker

As I tend to be price-conscious and not one for buying the very latest technology, I bought a G4/800MHz "Quicksilver" tower off eBay for £164 inclusive. I replaced the 800MHz CPU with a Sonnet Encore ST G4 1.8GHz at £191.53.
A respectable computer for just £355.53

And just to prove that this Mac can be upgraded, I also added:-

ATI RADEON 9600 PRO graphics card at £127.
Sonnet Allegro USB 2.0 PCI Card at £23.02 (giving 6 USB ports in total)
512MB, 168-pin DIMM at £47.99 (making 1.5GB in total)
Seagate internal 160GB ST3160023A at £35 (making 240GB in total)
Superdrive (DVD burner) £39 (instead of CD-R/W DVD-R)
So the whole system cost £627.54

And no computer system would be complete without a backup drive, so I bought a Seagate external 750GB USB2.0/FireWire at £183.24

I didn't go for bargain basement upgrades so this could have been significantly cheaper. But I got what I wanted at a reasonable price. Upgrading this model is real easy; just flip the side panel open. Plug everything in.

The single 1.8MHz CPU is more than adequate for the video/audio stuff that I do but I still have the option of fitting a dual 1.8GHz CPU if necessary.

isofa

Always use Crucial for my Mac RAM, never had a problem.

TiTheRev

1GB stick of Ram on order from Crucial any hints/tips on installation? Have taken the keyboard and cover off but cant see how to release the clips at the side holding the card in?

almillar

The clips just bend out slightly - if you do them both at the same time the RAM will pop up. not too much force required. Getting the keyboard back in straight was a bit awkward IIRC.
HTH

TiTheRev

So they bend away from the board, towards the under side of the cover?

Leopard

No! :eek:

The clips bend out sideways, as you look down on the RAM from above.

The RAM is mounted in two slots, one above the other. If you've got RAM mounted in both slots, remove the RAM from the top slot first; then remove the RAM from the bottom slot.

In each case, you push the retaining clips on both sides slightly outwards. Use a screwdriver or (preferably) a plastic rod, or a wooden cocktail stick, if you can't manage it with your fingernails.

When the clips disengage, the RAM stick will pop up at a slight vertical angle, with the front raised. This assists you to pull out the RAM stick and remove it. Hold it by the edges and use the little half-moon notches to assit, if necessary. Don't attempt to pull out the RAM stick until the clips have disengaged and it has popped up.

Put the new RAM in the bottom slot first, at the same angle as it was when it popped up, before. Push it firmly home into the slot and then press the front edge of it downwards until it is flat. The clips will then snap black into place and hold it securely.

Repeat for the upper slot.

When both sticks are in place, gently push the front edge of each stick of RAM back towards the holder, to ensure that they are fully home.

If you need more advice, and/or pictures, go to * HERE *.

You didn't indicate which model of iBook you have, so select it in the little box on the page.

DON'T, however, do what the person in the pictures appears to be doing and touch the chips mounted on the RAM stick (or any other chips) with your finger - you could destroy it with static electricity on your body.

ALWAYS grip the RAM stick by its edges, instead!

Good luck; but it's really quite straightforward and safe, provided you don't touch the chips on the RAM stick.

TiTheRev

I have the 133hz G4 12" iBook, and thanks for the advice I think we are reading from the same page, but maybe I didnt explain myself too well! Ive read up on it on ifixit.com, but the pictures not too clear so was checking here too!

isofa

There are probably even videos of how to do this on YouTube if you search too But it really is very straightforward.