Y'know, it just occurred to me that maybe the RAM isn't bad...that by beeping, the MBP was just telling me that it's insufficient for Catalina (despite the fact that Apple specifies 4 GB)?
"Bad RAM beeps", what a blast from the
good old days! The memory beeps are a firmware function
independent of the OS. According to
Apple tech NOte HT202768 A beep at 5 second intervals indicates the processor does not detect
any RAM, three beeps at 5 second intervals indicates the memory did not pass the integrity test, but that doesn't mean you can put your screwdriver away. The most common causes are:
- Improperly seated DIMM (remove and reseat the DIMM being sure it is seated all the way to the bottom of the logic board connector. I would try this at least two or three times before giving up as it might also solve the next two problems on the list.)
- Corroded contacts on the DIMM (a soft pencil eraser will clean the contacts)
- Dirty or corroded contacts in the DIMM connector on the logic board (a puff of canned air to blow out any dust and clean the contacts with a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab, or use a contact Cleaner spray.
- A DIMM module performing below or at the lower end of the specification range (replace the DIMM)
I know that many on this forum swear
by (not at) Crucial memory
but I have had multiple failures with Crucial DIMMs over the years, but
OWC has never let me down yet. (Now that Apple is building the Memory on the same fabric as the processor I do not anticipate ever being concerned about new DIMMs in the future.)
