PC2-5300 1 GB RAM Chip

Il Mio Problema

My 20" iMac and it is old, was running slow with lots of the famous spinning Beach Ball o' Doom

La Mia Riparazione

I was able to replace the RAM chip with 2-PC2-5300 2 GB RAM Chips and it took me all of about 15 mins. If I had known about this site and all the great guides I would have done it a lot sooner.

Il Mio Consiglio

Don't be afraid to tackle repair jobs like this, Read the guides, Then read the guide the again. And just to be safe read it one more time. Be organized - YOU CAN DO THIS>

Il Mio Problema

Needed more RAM in my 9 year old iMac so I could upgrade to latest operating system in order to support dropbox I need as a member of The Woodlands Show Chorus. Chorus music and choreography practice comes over dropbox.

La Mia Riparazione

I had downloaded and printed directions to add RAM. Unscrewed little door, removed old inadequate RAM chip from top slot, put new 1 GB RAM chip into bottom slot, put other new 1GB RAM chip into top slot. Replaced door and easy peasy was able to upgrade to MAC OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.3

Il Mio Consiglio

This throw-away society we now live in is extremely frustrating to my generation. My theory is "If it were made in the first place, it can be repaired." I don't take "no" for an answer any too easily. I traveled a lot of inroads of bad advise till I was finally introduced to IFIXIT.com at the APPLE support department. Once I got onto the IFIXIT site, I was astounded by all the things people fix. Way to go IFIXIT! In the two days since I installed the RAM I have already told several people about IFIXIT and will continue to do so. Let's repair instead of replace and keep more "old" stuff out of our landfills.

What a wonderful experience!!!

However, it will take me awhile to relearn some of the things I was doing on my old OS. Keep the old gray matter challenged.

Many thanks to IFIXIT and all the people who help each other see how easy repair can be.

Il Mio Problema

Needed more RAM in my 9 year old iMac so I could upgrade to latest operating system in order to support dropbox I need as a member of The Woodlands Show Chorus. Chorus music and choreography practice comes over dropbox.

La Mia Riparazione

I had downloaded and printed directions to add RAM. Unscrewed little door, removed old inadequate RAM chip from top slot, put new 1 GB RAM chip into bottom slot, put other new 1GB RAM chip into top slot. Replaced door and easy peasy was able to upgrade to MAC OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.3

Il Mio Consiglio

This throw-away society we now live in is extremely frustrating to my generation. My theory is "If it were made in the first place, it can be repaired." I don't take "no" for an answer any too easily. I traveled a lot of inroads of bad advise till I was finally introduced to IFIXIT.com at the APPLE support department. Once I got onto the IFIXIT site, I was astounded by all the things people fix. Way to go IFIXIT! In the two days since I installed the RAM I have already told several people about IFIXIT and will continue to do so. Let's repair instead of replace and keep more "old" stuff out of our landfills.

What a wonderful experience!!!

However, it will take me awhile to relearn some of the things I was doing on my old OS. Keep the old gray matter challenged.

Many thanks to IFIXIT and all the people who help each other see how easy repair can be.

Il Mio Problema

Old Macbook didn't have enough RAM (1GB) to quickly access the the Internet and process applications.

La Mia Riparazione

VERY EASY - The new RAM (2GB Total) arrived on-time and was quick to install following the IFIXIT instructions with pics. Took me less than 15 minutes!

Il Mio Consiglio

My tips are:

1. Make sure when you remove the existing two 512KB RAM boards, you note the top vs. bottom orientation so the new 1GB RAM boards are inserted in the same orientation.

2. Make sure you insert the new tow 1GB RAM boards very firmly.

3. Once everything put back together you can check to see the new total 2GB RAM is seen by starting up your Macbook and using the "About this Mac" option under the lefthand apple icon.

Il Mio Problema

My Macbook only had 1GB of Memory which was slowing down Internet and processing speed and IFIXIT had such a GREAT price for adding an additional 1GB and provided easy instructions with pictures for me to DIY.

La Mia Riparazione

It was very straightforward with easy instructions and pictures. It was also beneficial to read other users tips.

My DIY repair went very quickly (< 15 minutes).

Il Mio Consiglio

If you need to do this yourself my only additional tips are:

1. Make sure when you pull out the existing memory boards that you pay attention to the orientation of the memory boards top vs. bottom.

2. Remove both 512KB memory boards and insert each of the new 1GB memory boards in each of the now two empty slots.

3. Make sure you seat the new 1GB memory boards in the correct orientation and very firmly (push in very firmly).

4. Once everything is completed, start your Macbook and review your new configuration via "About this Mac" to ensure your new 2GB of Memory is shown.

Il Mio Problema

The problem: I wanted to upgrade from 1GB of RAM to 2GB.

I purchased my MacBook1,1 in 2006, with 1 GB of RAM. The most recent OS installed was 10.2. That OS is pretty behind the times; it doesn't recognize my iPhone, and none of my browsers can be considered secure any more. It was time to upgrade the OS, and for an optimal experience, I figured it was time to max out the RAM as well.

La Mia Riparazione

Taking out the battery/unscrewing the L-shaped frame was pretty easy (I used a jewelry screwdriver). Removing the old RAM was a snap as well. Getting the new RAM in there was difficult. You really, really have to force it in there! It took about an hour for me to figure out that I just needed to be rough with it. My fingers were so sore from pushing on it that I put a pad of post-its between the RAM and my fingers. Finally I felt the RAM slip into the slot. Finally. After that, it was all systems go!

Il Mio Consiglio

It requires brute force to push the RAM into the slots. Keep pushing. It's also worth noting that when you put the L-shaped frame thing back on, you should use the screwdriver or something else small and flat to kind of slip the padding underneath the frame as you put it back into place. Otherwise your battery won't quite fit.