Bank 1 Memory Slot not recognizing RAM--easy way to fix?

Question

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2009

Mid 2009 Model A1278 / 2.26 or 2.53 GHz Core 2 Duo processor EMC 2326

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Michelle @michelle94514

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Kul 15, 2014

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Bank 1 Memory Slot not recognizing RAM--easy way to fix?

It seems as though my Bank 1 Memory Slot is not recognizing any RAM I put in it. Here is what I've done so far to identify the problem:

-Computer is agonizingly slow. I order two 4GB sticks of RAM from iFixit, and install the RAM without issues.

-Boot computer, and it's now running much faster. However, it shows in System Information that there is only 4GB of RAM recognized, and Bank 1 slot shows as empty.

-I switch the RAM sticks between Bank 1 and Bank 0, computer boots just fine but still shows Bank 1 slot empty.

-Put old RAM sticks in. Bank 1 slot shows as empty.

-Restart with just one stick of RAM in Bank 1, computer beeps but is unable to start.

I'm thinking that Bank 1 died before I even bought new RAM--this would explain why even just recognizing one stick of RAM would improve the speed of my computer. Is there anything I can do to get my computer to recognize Bank 1? Some Google searches suggested loosening the screws around the bank, but this did not help me. Any other suggestions?

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Hi all, I just wanted to share me success with following all of the information this thread.

My issue was that my brand new Gigabyte TRX40 Aorus Master Mother board was not recognising the ram is specific slots.

I tried all of the following as a process of elimination:

1. Swapped ram to different slots and found one slot was not recognising ram.

2. All ram and graphics card was re-seated multiple times - no luck

3. Cleared the CMOS + updated BIOS

4. Checked CPU/ motherboard for bent pins. (all pins were perfect)

What worked in the end was removing the RAM, Graphics card, and CPU from the motherboard and then using the Qflash Plus method to flash the board. The Gigabyte manual states you can only update the main BIOS without the CPU in the board and it seems that this was the solution as all RAM and other devices are now recognised and running perfectly.

https://youtu.be/ze4Dg11W3hU?t=144

Hope this helps people that had the same issue as me.

Cheers,

J

crwdns2934271:0Kho 6, 2020crwdnd2934271:0 James Hargrave crwdne2934271:0

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originalmachead @originalmachead

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Kul 16, 2014

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Sorry no - replace the logic board or, as a work around, run on one RAM chip.

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

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no way to execute some chip-level repair?

crwdns2934271:0Mud 16, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 alfx crwdne2934271:0

The RAM socket would need to be removed and replaced as its damaged. This level of repair can't be done by a DIY person as you need specialized equipment to remove the socket so as not to damage the logic board and you also need access to the part which is not easy in this case as the part is not available.

See if loosing the screws de-stresses the board enough to allow the socket to work. Otherwise you'll need to replace the logic board. Then is it worth doing given he age of the system?

crwdns2934271:0Mud 16, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 Dan crwdne2934271:0

Had similar issue today. My brother has AsRock Motherboard H110M-DGS, and for past three years he had been using it with 8 Gb Ram and today he bought one more 8 Gb stick (Corsair). Same memory, same model, everything is the same. I spent half a day trying to make it work. His Motherboard continuously wasn't recognizing second slot Ram. From time to time, when I started his computer, it wouldn't even show anything onto display, while everything seemingly working. So, I did a lot of stuff, nothing helped.

The solution came, when I put those ram sticks into my own computer with MSI motherboard, overall more expensive motherboard. It made several restart attempts and as I can observe, configured those sticks appropriately. Then I put them into brother's computer in the same order, and they worked.

Magic!

MSI, thank you!

Decided to write this comment, because I googled a lot and found nothing. Hope this will help to someone in the future.

crwdns2934271:0Kul 8, 2020crwdnd2934271:0 Tims Kurskiev crwdne2934271:0

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Hi all, I just wanted to share me success with following all of the information this thread.

My issue was that my brand new Gigabyte TRX40 Aorus Master Mother board was not recognising the ram is specific slots.

I tried all of the following as a process of elimination:

1. Swapped ram to different slots and found one slot was not recognising ram.

2. All ram and graphics card was re-seated multiple times - no luck

3. Cleared the CMOS + updated BIOS

4. Checked CPU/ motherboard for bent pins. (all pins were perfect)

What worked in the end was removing the RAM, Graphics card, and CPU from the motherboard and then using the Qflash Plus method to flash the board. The Gigabyte manual states you can only update the main BIOS without the CPU in the board and it seems that this was the solution as all RAM and other devices are now recognised and running perfectly.

https://youtu.be/ze4Dg11W3hU?t=144

Hope this helps people that had the same issue as me.

Cheers,

J — James Hargrave
The RAM socket would need to be removed and replaced as its damaged. This level of repair can't be done by a DIY person as you need specialized equipment to remove the socket so as not to damage the logic board and you also need access to the part which is not easy in this case as the part is not available.

See if loosing the screws de-stresses the board enough to allow the socket to work. Otherwise you'll need to replace the logic board. Then is it worth doing given he age of the system? — Dan
Had similar issue today. My brother has AsRock Motherboard H110M-DGS, and for past three years he had been using it with 8 Gb Ram and today he bought one more 8 Gb stick (Corsair). Same memory, same model, everything is the same. I spent half a day trying to make it work. His Motherboard continuously wasn't recognizing second slot Ram. From time to time, when I started his computer, it wouldn't even show anything onto display, while everything seemingly working. So, I did a lot of stuff, nothing helped.

The solution came, when I put those ram sticks into my own computer with MSI motherboard, overall more expensive motherboard. It made several restart attempts and as I can observe, configured those sticks appropriately. Then I put them into brother's computer in the same order, and they worked.

Magic!

MSI, thank you!

Decided to write this comment, because I googled a lot and found nothing. Hope this will help to someone in the future. — Tims Kurskiev

Jay Arvidson @jayarvidson crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 205 1 1 1 · Answer 1 · 2014-07-24T03:34:03-07:00

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Jay Arvidson @jayarvidson

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Maw 24, 2014

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slightly undue the screws near the memory slots on the motherboard, there are 3. should fix the fault most of the time.

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This totally worked for me (after checking after I posted my own question) Thanks Jay Arvidson!

If you want to copy and past your answer on my question I am happy to rep you up

Ram port not working

crwdns2934271:0Sun 26, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 Nik crwdne2934271:0

THIS WORKED!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much.

crwdns2934271:0Yan 19, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 Adrian Abedon crwdne2934271:0

God level ! It worked !

crwdns2934271:0Yan 26, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 arunvalliappan007 crwdne2934271:0

I've had this problem on two different MacBook Pros. Came across this answer (thanks Google!) and it worked like a charm. This after months of not having a solution.

crwdns2934271:0Kho 26, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 Al Willis crwdne2934271:0

I'm looking for the screws to loosen, i only see two (i think). It is an image step 34 of the disassembly guide, i loosened ~6 screws all at the bottom of the logic board.

Issue resolved

crwdns2934271:0Huk 3, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 EasyAsABC123 crwdne2934271:0

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J Martin @jmartin39617 crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 13 1 · Answer 2 · 2019-05-21T11:03:55-07:00

(graveyard post… i know, sorry)

Only tighten mounting screws down enough to make them snug, never over tighten as this can flex the board, damage traces or cause short to ground faults.

Also, some of these boards have RAM compatibility issues, always double check the manufactures website to verify that the memory you intend on using is supported by the board. Generally, unsupported RAM may work but can be unstable, entirely unsupported RAM will generally cause a power on - no POST (if powering on at all). This also includes checking your BIOS version and update it to current if required.

(!!—never flash for the sake of flashing; if you don’t know what you’re doing you’ll brick your board —!!)

Thirdly, reseatting the memory is always good practice as sometimes the contacts are not aligned or properly touching.

Finally it can come from the CPU as the clock has to synchronize with the RAM timing/clock. Failing to do so will either render the machine with a power no post or will be highly unstable. If you ever have a system you’re having issues with and believe it to be the board or CPU, the best way to test (b/c MOBOs have no real easy way to straight test it, it is either open or closed.) is to remove the memory entirely with only CPU connected. Turn the machine on and if it generates beep error codes, the board is functioning and looking to synchronize the CPU with the RAM. If not, then you are looking at a bad CPU or MOBO. The only way to really determine that is to use a test CPU supported by the board, putting memory and test CPU in, if the machine successfully POSTs, then we know its the CPU and not the motherboard.

Just throwing this out there for extra information, have fun!

Les @lesvrooy crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 1 1 · Answer 3 · 2019-08-10T03:10:53-07:00

Les @lesvrooy

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Mha 10, 2019

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Mac mini Late 2012 lower RAM socket stopped working during Mojave installation. Re-installed Sierra, but no luck.

Only screws near the RAM sockets are two which fastens the blower through metal tubes to the logic board. No sign of other screws nearby after unscrewing the blower. Any other screws somewhere I can try?

Thx

Les

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