Orange imac memory

Is the CD-ROM drive an ejectable tray or a slot?
Rev. C tray load
Slot load DV

If you just want to know how much memory is installed, you'll need to install an OS or boot off an OS CD.

# RAM: 32 MB, expandable to 384 MB using SO-DIMM SDRAM (3.3V, unbuffered, 64-bit, 144-pin, 100 MHz or faster, 10ns) in two DIMM sockets (256 MB on top, 128 MB on bottom), top DIMM socket accepts 2" DIMM, bottom socket takes 1.5" DIMM

* The exact amount a Rev. A-D iMac can be upgraded varies from unit to unit. We have field reports of some models accepting 256 MB modules in both memory socket and reaching 512 MB - and other reports of early iMacs that won't work at all with 256 MB modules. There appears to be no way to know in advance whether a particular iMac will work with a certain sized memory module.

I've run the tray-loader iMacs with up to 512 MB RAM, but certain things must be taken into account:

1) The tray-loaders use notebook RAM, like would fit in an iBook, Pismo, Lombard or other PowerBook of similar vintage. 144-pin SO-DIMM, PC-100 or PC-133 SDRAM.

2) The two RAM slots are on opposite sides of the processor card. One slot will take a 2" stick, the other will only take a 1" stick (because the processor gets in the way).

3) The tray-loaders *can not use* high-density RAM sticks. Anything bigger than 128 MB *must* have chips on both sides of the stick (low-density RAM) in order to work properly with the iMac. A high-density stick will cause the iMac to do one of three things: not boot up at all, (b) boot up, but not see the high-density stick at all, or, best case, (c) boot up but only see half the high-density stick (i.e., 128 MB of a 256 MB stick). If you or the seller are not sure whether a 256 MB stick is high- or low-density RAM, *DON'T BUY IT.*

The tray-loaders (apart from the CD-ROM drives) are built like Mack trucks -- they'll just keep running no matter what you throw at them. I've got three in my house, and although they're certainly not the zippiest in my setup, they can help to get a job done.

I am trying to run OS X.1.3 with some success. I am trying to add 256 megs of memory to that computer. Here is what I found on my quest for memory so far: a helpful link for computer memory in general navigated to a page for the Imac trayloaders:

http://dealnews.com/memory/prices/systems/Apple-i-Mac-G3-233-333-PC100-SO-DIMMs/7/256MB.htmlllo

I include the above link because they list sources for memory that is specifically listed as wotking in the user specified system. They then list additional sources for memory that have similar specs, but do not specifically mention compatibility with the user specified system. (I.E. No guarentees it will work, but it does have the same specs.) Some of the ones listed for the trayloaders specified top slot only, too. That is a good indicator to me.

There may be details in the specific brands of memory that are not listed in the standard memory specifications advertised widely. That may then explain why it appears that some trayloaders accept the additional memory ... but not all tray loaders.

It would be interesting to know what happens when the additional memory accepted on some trayloaders was then removed and transplanted to the Macs that reportedly did not accept the additional memory. Perhaps the apparent randomness of memory acceptance is a function of the specific sticks of the memory tried. The memory stick variable seems more logical than a hit and miss on any given chasis. The memory stick variable may also explain the apparent randomness of memory acceptance.

Do your own due dilligence before ordering from any of the companies that are listed (by way of standard disclaimer). At least some of the companies were familiar names. Hope this helps.

Hope this helps.
David Johansson

As a post script: I feel I may have gotten lucky (so far):
I was searching the page for Omni Technologies, (www.omnitechnologies.biz), where they state certain memory sticks work in the trayloader models.
Their 256 meg sticks that state are compatible with the trayloaders were about $33.00 each +shipping. I then looked around further on their pages, and back to the Imac memory page again. The same stick pricing was revised to $79.00 Each! (They were apparently revising much of the web pages and pricing as I searched.)

I then used the back button to go back to the older page with the lower prices to place an order. I have never ordered from them before, so I marked the box indicating that I would call in payment information. In the interim, I will do more due dilligence to see if I still wish to give them my credit card number.

Any comments (private message, please) regarding Omni Technologies would also be appreciated.

I am posting using Safari on a iMac 333Tray loader.
Panther 10.3.9 /256 MB RAM
2x128 RAM sticks.
Actually quite snappy.
I had a 256 MB module in the upper slot last week but moved that to my Wallstreet.
I plan to try 2 matching 256 sticks in the future...

Dave

To Dave from David:

I was wondering how Panther might work on the trayloader, and how much memory it would require. That Panther would work with 256 megs of memory is inspiring. I may try that on a larger hard drive (first partition under 8 Gigs. still) soon.

[ Since I have a lot of these sitting around, I could build one as the Panther but sell the others as OS 9 w/96 megs RAM. People could upgrade those as the finances allow over time, but still have a decent computer for the basics today. Way Coool! ]

Dave:

What is the secret to accessing the memory on teh under side of the cou board without bending the metal cage all out of wack, and then trying to bed it back again??

David

You can take the top off the metal cage,
then gently lift / pry the processor board up.
Shoot me an email if you want the service manual.

Dave

dhjsllc wrote:

I was wondering how Panther might work on the trayloader, and how much memory it would require. That Panther would work with 256 megs of memory is inspiring. I may try that on a larger hard drive (first partition under 8 Gigs. still) soon.

[ Since I have a lot of these sitting around, I could build one as the Panther but sell the others as OS 9 w/96 megs RAM. People could upgrade those as the finances allow over time, but still have a decent computer for the basics today. Way Coool! ]

I ran Panther on my Frankenberry iMac (Blueberry body, Bondi logic board, Strawberry processor, Tangerine keyboard, Logitech mouse) on just 96MB RAM. Granted, it was dog slow, and the HD ground constantly when I tried to run anything substantial. Frankenberry now runs happily with 192MB RAM and makes a fine print server and Internet surfer.

Hello:

From my previous posting:

As a post script: I feel I may have gotten lucky (so far):
I was searching the page for Omni Technologies, (www.omnitechnologies.biz), where they state certain memory sticks work in the trayloader models.
Their 256 meg sticks that state are compatible with the trayloaders were about $33.00 each +shipping. I then looked around further on their pages, and back to the Imac memory page again. The same stick pricing was revised to $79.00 Each! (They were apparently revising much of the web pages and pricing as I searched.)

I then used the back button to go back to the older page with the lower prices to place an order. I have never ordered from them before, so I marked the box indicating that I would call in payment information. In the interim, I will do more due dilligence to see if I still wish to give them my credit card number.

Any comments (private message, please) regarding Omni Technologies would also be appreciated.

The memory boards arrived as promised in excellent condition. The trayloader likes the memory sticks I fed it, too! (Much easier to do this time using the tips given in this thread!) 512 megs of memory sure did perk it up a bit!

Will look for a legal copy of Panther to install. (May choose to buy Tiger for the Emac, and then re-use Panther on the old Imac.)

David

Cool !!!
I just purchased a low profile 256 MB stick for my Imac.
Hope it plays nice w/ the reg. 256 SODIMM I have.
Looking forward to 512 MB on my Imac 333 / w/ Panther 10.3.9
BTW, the 10.3.9 update package solved a lot of networking problems I was having here.

Dave

Dave:

Kep us posted on your experience with the memory sticks. The low density vs. high density is an important consideration. I tried a high density 256 stick of memory in mine ... but it only recognized 128 megs. That result was predictable based on the previous postings relating to Imac tray loaders and memory.

Hopefully the ones you have are of the low density variety.

While I have not tried it personally, it may be more cost effective to use a single 512 stick of the low density memory ... assuming it would work.

What I will call a "rumor," but has more validity than a "standard rumor" (whatever that is!) -----> One technical person at a store that handles used Macs often (but I do not have permission to name) indicated that he knew of a couple of cases where someone used 512 in one slot, and 128 in another slot for a total of 648 megs of memory. If someone had access to the memory sticks, they could try it to see if it would work for them, too. No guarentees it would work, and this is second hand information. But for anyone willing to experiment, it may work out well for them.

If anyone tries this and is successful, please post to this thread with specifics (operating system, vital computer specs [processor speed, computer model/motherboard identifying info [trayloader, slotloader, etc.] and specific memory id info: brand and part numbers of the memory sticks preferably for us so we may "try this at home" with a reasonable chance it may actually work for us, too.

Anyone that may be able to configure the 648 megs memory, and post the "secret recipe" to the list ... assuming anyone is able to ... will be providing an excellent service to people reading this thread, and they will tell two people, and so on, and ....

David J.

A trayloading-iMac-compatible 512MB SODIMM would have to be low density, difficult to do on such a small PCB and nowadays very hard to find. There are physically larger SODIMMs, but the formfactor does have its limits..

dan k

Yes I have been playing with these "old" Imacs a while now,
and, I am aware of the formfactor re So-Dimms on these machines.
Furthermore I do not know if the Imac's memory managment could possibly address more than 512MB of RAM.
I will be lucky if the 2) 256 meg sticks play well together re: speed, timing and such...
I think I did my homework and am (ughh) patiently awaiting the low profile/ low density /256Meg SoDimm.
Yep I'll post my results either way...

Dave

Sometimes (not too often) I get Lucky
Checked my local thrift store today and found a Lime Green Trayload 333 Imac.
Listed " Broken/Needs Repair/ For Parts Only, $4.99 "
I figured what the ****,the CD drive is worth $5.00.
No signs of life when I got it home , so I opened the machine...
Main cable to MB was not plugged in.
You guessed it Bong, the machine is clean and works perfect!
I wish I could do that everyday...

Dave