Memory problem?

[Jason Brown]

Well guys, I’ve narrowed it down and I think I’ve figured out the problem.

I’ll lay out my findings in case you are interested in knowing what I found.

We bought 2 new 2GB sticks…same brand and same speed. Took out all the 1GB sticks and paired up along the risers to match DIMM on each side. Now here’s where it gets weird.

I’m going to preface with the fact that I have 10+ years experience installing RAM, upgrading HardDrives, installing processors on motherboards. So I want to let you know that I’m comfortable with electronics and know what I’m doing with seating RAM and being mindful of static electricity.

While the computer was laying down…side off the case…I plugged it up to the monitor and mouse…and booted it up to make sure everything was recognized…system information = 8GB RAM.

Put the case back together (upright)…plugged everything back in…turned it on system info = 4GB RAM.

Went into *more info* and looked at the memory and it was ONLY recognizing riser A…2 x 2GB.

I thought that was weird, so I took it back out and put it back into the same position it was at first (laying on it’s side)…and 8GB!

I verified that the RAM was seated correctly and set it upright without making any other changes and it only recognized 4GB!

So it was the physical position of the computer!

While it was powered on, I laid it on its side, and the machine locked up. After that I was unable to replicate the issue…I could only get one riser to be recognized by the system.

Same riser works in either position…other riser won’t work in either position. All 4 sticks of RAM work on the *working* riser.

Has anyone ever had a riser go bad? I’ve never worked with risers…but I’m noticing a red LED on the working riser and there is no LED lit up on the other riser.

Do you think it’s a warranty item? It is only 6-8 months old. I think it was purchased from B&H…I’m hoping that I didn’t void the warranty by laying the unit on it’s side…I checked in the cabinet…there is nothing floating around…no hair or dust…and nothing for the riser to touch to short it out.

We’re trying to get a replacement riser…and hopefully that will fix the problem, and that was likely our issue all along.

Thanks for reading all this (if you were able to get through it all!)

-Jason

[Paul Dickin]

[Jason Brown] “Has anyone ever had a riser go bad?”
Hi
I remember reports of this sort of problem when the Mac Pro first came out – only AFAIR it was the motherboard connection that failed rather than the riser.

[Jason Brown]

Alright…here’s a final update as I’m using this final cut machine at the speed I was expecting!!!! I’m so happy!!!

Took the machine to the Mac store…they couldn’t replicate problem…but as precaution they replaced memory riser.

Machine recognized all 8gb…but was still not working FAST. The playhead was dragging behind as I moved the mouse across the timeline.

I did some more research and upgraded the KonaLHe control panel software and machine restarted. When Final Cut opened…it asked me to setup the default preferences (don’t remember exactly what window it was) but it was like something had initiated Final Cut and reset something.

I opened the sequence and WALLAH!!!! It is flying! I have yet to put it through the paces with effects and such, but I’m working SO MUCH FASTER now.

Thanks for all your help everyone!

I’m starting to enjoy working on my friends mac…I may have to get one for myself!

-Jason

[Jason Brown]

The dialog box (or window as I called it) that came up was *Choose Setup*. When I selected the correct “use” mode, the stars aligned. I hope this can help someone else having similar issues.

Installing the Kona LHe drivers must have deleted the preference files?

-Jason