Hardware failure codes?

[NameOfBeast]

My MacBook (early 2008) has over the past week been freezing with increasing regularity, giving the ominous but not very informative `You need to restart your computer' warning.

I ran the hardware test and there's a memory problem (I upgraded to 4GB a while back). The error code is 4MEM/4/40000000

Does anyone know if this is enough to determine which memory bank is failing?

 

[NameOfBeast]

Well it was the memory contained in the left-hand bank that was failing.

 

[koffiejunkie]

How did you find out? Just tried both or is there an explanation?

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Removed the last memory module you've installed and try again.

If there's no problems then the memory stick you've removed is faulty.

If the problem still persists, swap the memory sticks round and try again.

Should the problem still persists, then it's something else.

edit : Just read the second post now...

 

[syntax]

Pretty much what I did ; damn those budget-priced memory modules.... I really can't deal with daily kernel panics though. I still wonder: is it possible, knowing the error code, to determine which memory stick is faulty? Would have saved quite a bit of time.

probably, but its pretty quick to swop modules, annoying, but ur ram should be replaced free of charge if its a half decent make..

 

[syntax]

Hope so; does patriot memory qualify as `half decent'?

yup, i think its a lifetime swop out, or at least 5 - 10 yrs, should have no problems getting replacement.

 

[syntax]

Thanks for the info. The supplier is taking it back for testing; Just hoping that they're able to detect the same error, or I'm stuck.

Do you know if the Apple Hardware test is reliable in detecting memory errors? i.e. if memory is detected as faulty by my MacBook is it also likely to be detected as faulty by non-apple testers? The memory in question was consistently identified as being faulty --- with the same, slightly obscure, error code.

If the hardware test picked it up, then they definitely will... You should be fine... for curiosity where did u buy it from/return it to?

 

[morpheus12x]

My MacBook (early 2008) has over the past week been freezing with increasing regularity, giving the ominous but not very informative `You need to restart your computer' warning.

I ran the hardware test and there's a memory problem (I upgraded to 4GB a while back). The error code is 4MEM/4/40000000

Does anyone know if this is enough to determine which memory bank is failing?

What's the model of the memory? Kingston is the always the good alternative.If your memory isn't kingston try these kingston memory modules --
KTA-MB667K2/2G 2GB Kit
KTA-MB667K2/4G 4GB Kit