10 year old g4 Ram issue

If your G4 is an early model it is possible that the memory controller will not work correctly with high density DIMMs. Try a web search for "G4 low high density RAM DIMM" for more information. If it is a density problem, there is no work around for your model. Crucial sell a 512MB DIMM guaranteed for your model for about 65 Euros.

Your best bet is to find a mate with an old PC/Mac that will use high density DIMMs, and do a swap.

[Note: Post shifted to PowerPC Macs where it is more relevant.]

We've had a few users on Applefritter with this problem - myself included.
The older G4s don't seem to be able to recognize higher density RAM.

The 512 that was only showing 256 in my Sawtooth shows the full 512 in my Digital Audio.

Nothing you can do for it but trade it for two 256 DIMMs, if you've got the space.

Not sure if there are some 512s that will work...I'll leave that to others to answer.

I believe the first G4 towers were basically not much more than a B&W without the creepy G4 block. B&W's do not recognize 512mb sticks, low or high density. They only handle 256mb in each slot. I would expect the first G4's to be the same.

Thansk i had a hunch that this was the problem Anyone want to Trade a 512mb for 2x 256mb sticks?

yeah, I had the same issue with a 256mb module that came with my B&W. it only recognised 128mb. No matter, 4x128mb sticks later, and I have enough to run OS X.

-digital

For posterity and fleshing out the info on the problem, is your G4 a Yikes! model with just PCI video, or is it a Sawtooth with AGP video?

EDIT: Reading you other post, it seems you bough SO-DIMMs for a laptop? That's makes a huge difference on what the capabilities of the system are.

Yes, what's going on there? The link you provided in the other post is for 2 256mb 144pin SO-DIMMs, not a single 512mb stick, and not 168 pin, and not PC133. Must be the wrong link?