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Late 2011 model, A1278 / 2.4 GHz i5 or 2.8 GHz i7 processor.

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MacBook Won't Turn On/Charge After RAM Upgrade

I've followed Apple's guide to upgrade my RAM. I used two 4GB PC3-10600 1333MHz RAM sticks purchased on Amazon. I am quite sure that my RAM is properly seated. That being said, my MacBook will not turn on and, when I plug the charger in, the charger light does not turn on.

Update

It still wouldn't turn on, even with the old RAM. I unplugged the battery connector and plugged it back in. The computer now turns on, although I have been getting occasional kernel panics.

Update

I was getting three beeps at one point, but I don't get that every time it crashes. The kernel panics seem to occur most frequently when I first boot my MacBook. I feel like I have definitively "snapped in" the RAM, but I think I will take it to the Apple Store to have it checked out. Thanks for all of your help!

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What happens when you put your old modules back in?

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Do you get any beeps or tones?

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Many times RAM issues are that they aren't snapped in - some times it takes what seems to be a lot of force. Check alignment then be certain they bottom out. Bottom one goes in first tilt it up a bit to align then tip down and push.

If the dog-ears (tabs) align and lie flat you've got it… if they stick out a bit you missed.

If this answer is acceptable please remember to return and mark it.

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I had the same problem and this fixed it - thank you, @originalmachead!

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The power on self-test resides in the ROM of the computer. This test runs whenever the computer is turned on after being fully shut down (the power-on self-test does not run if the computer is only restarted).

If a fault is detected during the test, you will not hear a normal startup chime. Instead, the system will beep as explained below. If you experience one of these beeps, you may call your Apple Authorized Service Provider for additional troubleshooting assistance.

1 beep = no RAM installed

2 beeps = incompatible RAM types

3 beeps = no good banks

4 beeps = no good boot images in the boot ROM (and/or bad sys config block)

5 beeps = processor is not usable

In addition to the beeps, on some computers the power LED will flash a corresponding number of times plus one. The LED will repeat the sequence after approximately a 5-second pause. The tones are only played once.

Try installing one stick at a time and doing a complete reboot. Move the stick to the other slot and check. After each time check the "about this Mac and see how much RAM it sees. This will test both the RAM and the slots. Sometimes slots go bad, RAM goes bad, slots will see lower value chips but not larger ones.

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I have a smilar problem

when I put both 4gb in it won't start and it beeps but when I put one 4gn with an old 2gb then it starts and in the settings it reads 6gb ram. so I know the 4gb works and is suitable but for some reason if I put both of them in the laptop starts to beep.(I've tried it with both of them) any suggestions?

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Your machine may not be the same. You may only be able to upgrade to 6GB. Or you may have a slightly bad slot that will take a two but not a four.

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My mac can be upgraded to 8gb so maybe it's the slot. is there a solution for that?

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i have the same problem...Upgraded my early 2011 13" MacBook Pro from 4 to 8 gb with Patriot Mac Series Memory. Speed etc. has been verified with the published Apple Data for this unit, as well as what the unit itself says.

Battery had over 50% charge prior to upgrade. The flashing light in front on right is flashing as it usually does when its charging. The light on the charger connector is amber, indication that there's less than full charge.

It won't turn on, It won't even attempt to boot and fail.

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Did you make sure the system was fully off (not in sleep mode). If not you can fry the logic board.

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Yes,

Following the lead of other references, just to check the machine...

I took one of the new 4gb mods out, put in an original 2gb mod and it powered up and booted right through the automatic login to my desk top.

You can't get a straight answer out of Apple except take it to one of their stores.

Its a simple memory up grade Apple, not reconstruction of the CPU.

Are there machine settings accessible in the BIOS that might link a power off /sleep/hibernate /coffe break setting to the memory?

I'm not as familiar with Mac as i am the PC BIOS

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No firmware or other alterations needed when adding memory. If the original memory works you have bad memory.

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Both new 4 GB mods work when paired with an original 2 GB. And they a

ll work when I pair them in reverse slot order. And the machine registers 6 GB each time. Its not as simple an answer

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I have tried all your suggestions (doug), and i get similar problems. i decided to remain with the 6B (4GB + 2GB) and it works fine. So Apple says Macbook pro Mid 2010 should accept 8GB RAM boost.....!!!! but mine doesn't. Anyone with other suggestions. I am using 250GB SHD .Thanks in advance.

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YOU HAVE ONLY 1 SQUARE TO UPGRATE MEMORY CARD -- MACBOOK NEED 1 ORIGINAL MEMORY CARD -AND 1 TO EXPAND -- THE OTHER IS TO RESTORE OR BUFFERING ORIGINAL MEMORY CARD SYSTEM TO NEW CARD BUT THIS IS 80 % IMPOSSIBLE ? JORGE L OVALLES jorgeovalles34@gmail.com

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THE PROBLEM IS THE MEMORY CARD- CAN YOU FIND MANY UNWORKING MEMORYS CARD ON THE MARKET-IN 4 GB -TRY EBAY AND HYNIX CARD -MAYBE START-USING 204 PINS-MEMORY CARD-ON MY CASE I USE OLD MODEL ON MACBOOK 200 PIN BUT DONT START WITH 2--MEMORYS CARD OF 4 GB - I TRY CARD HYNIX LEFT AND RIGHT 4 GB CRUCIAL MEMORY CARD THIS START - THE MACBOOK WORK WITH 6 GB BUT DONT WORK TO INSTALL MOUNTAIN LION ---

jorgeovalles34@gmail.com

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I just picked up a 2010 Macpro and had the same issue I pushed in the bottom stick with a piece of plastic and installed the top stick booted up and 8GB shows up I put the lid back on boot and only 4GB showed up

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Joey Feith will be eternally grateful.
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