MacBook Pro problem update

It's been a while since I've updated you on the progress, or lack of progress, with solving my ongoing problem with the MacBook Pro.  The problem has been with me for a few months as you know and basically consists of the MBP running fine for a while and then hanging up.  When I go to reboot as instructed I get the "3 beeps of RAM death" and the device will not boot up.  I end up letting it sit for a few hours and then the MBP will boot up fine and the cycle begins again.  I've taken it to the Genius Bar several times and each visit has resulted in a different diagnosis and repair but nothing has resolved the problem.  One thing I have failed to understand is why Apple would not just replace both sticks of RAM in the device since the internal diagnostics (and some external diagnostics I have run) always indicate it's a RAM problem.  But they have not replaced them since they never fail while the device is in their diagnostic process.

Last weekend I decided to take the matter into my own hands and I priced replacement RAM online.  When I discovered that I could get two new RAM sticks, a 1 GB and a 2 GB, for just $70 from Crucial I ordered them on the spot.  The new RAM will be here later today and I intend to replace my two RAM sticks as soon as I get home.  It will be very interesting to see if this fixes my problem and if so well worth the price.  It will also feel good being smarter than the Geniuses.

Comments

[citivolus]

James,
is this the MBP that you bought reconditioned? do you think that could have something to do with its flakiness?

[Chrisboff]

Could it be that components are overheating inside the macbook pro?

[Mike Cane]

It will be interesting to see if it's really been the RAM all this time. What if it's not?!

[Ze Stuart]

Very good: I've been smarter than the genii before, but then again I have an unfair advantage that I am a genii (I know, singular/plural problems)... ;)

[Judie Lipsett]

James, after dealing with my own "genius" last week, the one who tried to tell me that my 250GB 5400RPM hard drive was a 4200RPM, who argued with me over it until he finally looked it up and then shut up, I think it would be safe to say you are likely smarter than that "genius". It will be interesting to see how it turns out...

[James Kendrick]

My MBP was bought new over a year ago, not refurbished. That was Kevin's whose MBP doesn't have a problem.

I do believe that heat is contributing to the problem but hope that the root cause is the RAM. Macs are notorious for being picky about RAM and I hope this is the problem. Otherwise I'm no worse off than I am now, just $70 poorer.

I'll keep everyone abreast of any developments as they occur.

[bmhome1]

What happened with the corrupted "Time Machine" backup that left you high and dry at the same time?

[Taxman]

Shouldn't the RAM have been covered under your Applecare? I'm not understanding why you'd have to go out-of-pocket to get your computer fixed. I was having awful wifi connecting problems with my MacBook Air last week and spent more than an hour talking to 3 different Apple support people on the phone. I actually laughed when they suggested that I connect my air to my Apple Extreme Base Station by ethernet cable. Which port would you have me plug that cable into on my MacBook Air? I replied. I came close to sending it in to them, but then it dawned on me to try turning off the firewall, which fixed the problem.

[James Kendrick]

Taxman, the RAM is covered under the warranty but like I said since the RAM itself has never failed definitively while under Apple's care they have never replaced it. I felt that $70 was not too much to spend to try and get this resolved once and for all.

[mike venziano]

My MBP is 1 1/2 years old and no problem i just installed 4 gigs ram from owc $112.00 delivered and works perfectly it updated and reads it fine i was told by owc that it uses only 3.3 gigs in my model im very happy .

[James Kendrick]

mike, from my research MBP with a 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo or slower will only address 3 GB of RAM. The Mac will see 4 GB and report 4 GB but will only use 3 GB.