Following on from my adding WiFi to my 2008 Mac Pro, everything is fine the ethernet via the Deco woks well.
However, on restarting the Mac, it appears to have lost 4 of its DIMMs.
System profiler reports that four DIMM slots are empty, slots 3&4 on both risers.
After much experimentation (moving them around, changing risers etc.), it appears that 4 DIMMs have died. The same four don’t show, regardless of which slot and which riser they are in.
Has anyone else experienced this and what is likely to have caused it?
I’ve got some more DIMMs ordered. hopefully they’ll work.
Nope, never seem a DIMM die…but seriously, unless it is doing something that can’t be done with modern, supported hardware…using a 2008 machine seems like it’s time to upgrade. Im pretty sure it isn’t running a currently being patched macOS. I thought I was an antique running a 2015 MBP until I upgraded to an M1 MBP when they were released. I think you’ve gotten your money’s worth out of that one.
I always use a Mars Plastic Eraser on the metal pins if I have this problem. They can get an oxide coating over time. Else, it is static electricity discharge that can destroy them. I too keep those old Macs working for me.
Another possibility, other than DIMM failure, is moving an old machine that was sat in the same position for a long time dislodged or broke something. Solder can get brittle, components can fail or leak, sockets can get contaminated…the list goes on, just as with aging human bodies.
