When bad RAM happens to good PowerBooks…

I’ve just spent a couple of very frustrating days rebuilding my PowerBook. It started with a constantly crashing Finder:

  • open Finder window
  • crash
  • write crash log
  • launch
  • crash
  • write crash log
  • launch
  • crash

Once I’d thought I’d resolved that (be restoring from my backup) the iChat daemon started quitting. I re-installed iChat and … the Finder started crashing again. So, burn some Panther install CD’s – Archive and Install (and all of the upgrades that entails – Xcode 1.2, WebObjects 5.2, Java 1.4.2, WebObjects 5.2.2, WebObjects 5.2.3…). Tried to install MySQL, and the installer quits. OK, just going to restart and … the Finders starts crashing again. Deep breath – AARGH!

I finally pulled a third party 512MB stick of RAM – which had successfully passed memtest – and sanity is once again restored. Between my TiBook, and my 17inch AlBook that makes 4 – FOUR! 512MB dimms I’ve had fail.

I know everyone offers lifetime warranties but this just sucks. RAM – can’t live with it, can’t shoot it.