The PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.67/1.5GHz) Memory Slot Repair Extension Program is a worldwide program covering repair or replacement of the memory slot in PowerBook G4 models manufactured between January 2005 and April 2005 (2005-01 through 2005-04) that are experiencing specific component failures. If your PowerBook G4 has a serial number within the eligible range and is experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, it may be eligible for repair, free of charge. Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) will determine eligibility under the program. Repairs will be covered by Apple for up to two years from the original date of purchase even if your computer is out of warranty.
Affected systems will exhibit one of the following symptoms:
• The computer does not start up; instead, there are three short beeps (typically) followed by the the sleep LED flashing periodically.
• When both SO-DIMM memory slots are filled (populated), only one slot’s memory is recognized.
• System performance may be degraded because the memory in only one slot is not recognized.
Important: These symptoms may only occur intermittently.
More info, including serial number ranges, from Apple here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews reader “Jamie” for the link.]
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About time, this haas been a BIG problem for PB users, I sent mine in to get the microphone fixed, and it came back with a bad RAM slot!
Glad to see Apple have addressed it.
for the heads up. One of my card vanished while I was looking at the memory in system profiler and have since occassionally had the 3 tone problem at startup. Hope the repair doesn’t take too long. Will have to clone my OS to my Mini before I take the PB in.
You mean Apple products are not perfect? Apple sold that crap knowing full well that it was defective. I had one of those crappy PBs. The worst laptop I’ve ever owned. Lucky for me I took it back in 10 days and got an iBook instead.
I am glad they did this I had this problem around June or so with my powerbook 1.67ghz when I went to put another 512 of ram I found that my one slot was bad. It took less then a week to have my powerbook back and running. So hopefully everyone gets treated with a speedy service from apple.
If you are concerned about YOUR PB, here is the essential info from the link:
The affected PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.67/1.5GHz) computers have eleven-digit serial numbers in this range:
W8503xxxxxx through W8518xxxxxx
For example, a serial number of W8511xxxxxx would fall in this range. Note that the six lowercase “x” characters will be letters or numerals, not “x”es.
Where can you find the serial number? Either in your Mac OS X “About This Mac>More Info…” window, or by looking in the battery bay.
And what generation is this?
I have the exact same lower slot memory problem on my 15 inch Aluminum PowerBook (1.25 GHz) but my serial number does not match, it starts with a “V7339…”
Sounds like Apple needs to take a second look at what laptops were effected by that manufacturing screw-up.
Apple has the best rating for service. While Dell would tell you, warranty is up, screw you.
DELL has on-site. Apple takes your laptop and keeps it for 3 month, waiting for a part.
Every computer manufacturer has a warranty extension. If you don’t buy one, it’s your problem when they tell you the warranty is over.
I agree with The Other Steve. Mine is V734 and it too has a defective slot. I’ll be talking with the Apple folks about this.
Apple took the various laptops I’ve work with over the years for a variety of problems. They didn’t keep it for 3 months (unlike other places I’ve tried) It was sent back to me in new condition in a couple of days!
I didn’t even have to go back to pick it up, it was expressed to my house at no extra charge.
I have a PB G4 1.25Ghz, and have had the same issue. The bottom ram slot just disappeared and dropped my ram to 256mb. i called up apple but since the warranty extension doesnt cover my model, i’m not included. I’ve been looking around on the forums of many sites, and this turns out to be an issue with all 15-inch PB’s over 1Ghz. Even the tech support guy i spoke to has had the same problem with the exact same model as mine, but his was still under warranty when it got replaced.
So far, Apple has told me that i’m out of luck and they wont replace the logic board. And i i was to pay for a logic board it would cost me about half the price of a new Intel iMac. My only choice is to buy a 1Gb Ram stick for the one remaining slot i have.
This is not good apple. You should look after all your customers and not just a select few.