Jun 13 2009
Why do Mac computers make that noise?
I don’t have a Mac, not that I don’t want one, I do — but I just don’t have one. But as I was talking with Vanessa (my rockin’ roommate from afar – not to be confused with my dog-owning roommate) on the phone last night, she was telling me about how her Mac is wiggin’ out and making a weird noise. I tell her about another Mac user friend who had the same thing happen last year and that although I didn’t know what it was, I do recall it being fixable. Today Vanessa called me to tell me that the RAM card was loose and that all one has to do is recede the card. Cool –I confess that I have no clue how to recede a RAM card in a Mac, but I will file it away in my mental file cabinet for future reference should the question arise in random conversation, OR if I ever actually got a Mac.
Now you know!
PS — just in case Santa is reading — a MacBook under this year’s Christmas tree would be AWESOME!
RAM stands for Random Access Memory – it’s commonly referred to simply as ‘memory’ in the computer. They are relatively small items, that snap into slots on the motherboard. Without RAM, the computer won’t run at all, and will generally make a loud beeping noise until it is there.
The operation that needs to be performed here is a re-seat – basically put it back in the right way, since it’s come loose enough that one or more of the pins aren’t making contact with the slot. Basically, push the clasps on either side to open the slot, remove the chip, put it back until it snaps in, and push the clasps back up. 2 minute fix!
Do make sure to ground yourself before doing this, by touching an unpainted metal surface on the case. Obviously, the computer needs to be off, too.
Thanks Todd! What happens if you don’t ground yourself?? (I’m curious
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