Help w/ 4MEM error

cgbarber · 02-22-2013, 08:56 PM

MBP 6,2, running Snow Leopard (I believe)

Spotify froze on me so I performed a hard reset, after which it would boot up to the grey screen w/ apple logo and progress bar that would go approx. 1/5th of the way, then spinning wheel, then another progress bar to roughly 1/5th of the way again, then back to permanent spinning wheel.

Ran AHT (extended testing) to find the 4MEM error. Believe I've removed the corrupt DIMM as AHT no longer throws error after removal, however I'm still stuck on the aforementioned boot loop. I'm hoping that I just need to reinstall the OS? Please help a noob out, and thank you in advance.

gsahli · 02-23-2013, 10:37 PM

Try some more troubleshooting. Start with the Install DVD (holding c key) but instead of continuing the install, find Disk Utility and repair the hard drive.

NaOH · 02-23-2013, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsahli


	Start with the Install DVD (holding c key) but instead of continuing the install, find Disk Utility and repair the hard drive.

More precisely, after the machine boots off the CD, choose your language, press Continue, then at the next screen use the Utilities menu to select Disk Utility. On the left side of Disk Utility, select the hard drive then, on the right, click Repair Disk. If it reports any errors, repeat until it no longer does. Once done, quit Disk Utility. You'll return to the OS installer, and quitting that will allow you to restart your Mac normally.

cgbarber · 02-28-2013, 09:32 AM

First, thank you both for the replies. Secondly, Disk Utility is unable to repair the drive. After some google-ing I see that DiskWarrior may be able to repair it, but I don't really feel like shelling out the cash for something that's not guaranteed to work. The info on the drive would be nice to have, but not all that important. I assume that at this point the only other option is to attempt to reformat the drive? If that fails, then I guess I'll know whether or not I'll be needing to purchase a new HD as well? Looks like I'll be making some upgrades :/

trevor · 02-28-2013, 10:33 AM

Memory problems can most definitely cause corruption of a hard drive, but they can't cause hard drive failure. The likelihood of you having simultaneous memory failure and hard drive failure is very low (although granted there is a slim chance).

DiskWarrior is an incredibly useful tool to have available to you, and is very likely to fix your problem now, as well as fix future problems that you will have. If I were in your situation, I would buy DiskWarrior.

If you are dead set against buying DiskWarrior, and you have adequate backup for the contents of your hard drive, then yes, erasing the hard drive and reinstalling everything from scratch is another option.

Trevor

cgbarber · 02-28-2013, 11:02 AM

Trevor, who do you work for? Haha. Thanks for the advice. Sounds like it is worth the investment. As to my MBP, I've since learned that it took a little tumble that I was unaware of (kids!), and that incident coincides with the hardware issues, so I'm starting to wonder if this isn't a case of physical damage.

trevor · 02-28-2013, 11:10 AM

Ah, that does make a big difference. If there was a physical event (like a hard knock to the computer), that could cause physical damage to both memory and hard drive at the same time.

Oh and by the way, and for the record, I do not work at Alsoft, have never worked at Alsoft, and have never done any business with Alsoft other than buying DiskWarrior a few times.

Trevor

cgbarber · 02-28-2013, 11:46 AM

Oh, I was just giving you a hard time. I didn't think you worked for them. Really appreciate the advice. Knowing what I now know, things are making a little more sense. Therein also lies my reluctance to purchase Disk Warrior, although still useful for future issues, if I'm going to have to shell out $ for a new HD. Thanks again.

02-22-2013, 08:56 PM	#1
cgbarber Prospect Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4	Help w/ 4MEM error MBP 6,2, running Snow Leopard (I believe) Spotify froze on me so I performed a hard reset, after which it would boot up to the grey screen w/ apple logo and progress bar that would go approx. 1/5th of the way, then spinning wheel, then another progress bar to roughly 1/5th of the way again, then back to permanent spinning wheel. Ran AHT (extended testing) to find the 4MEM error. Believe I've removed the corrupt DIMM as AHT no longer throws error after removal, however I'm still stuck on the aforementioned boot loop. I'm hoping that I just need to reinstall the OS? Please help a noob out, and thank you in advance.

02-28-2013, 10:33 AM	#5
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,551	Memory problems can most definitely cause corruption of a hard drive, but they can't cause hard drive failure. The likelihood of you having simultaneous memory failure and hard drive failure is very low (although granted there is a slim chance). DiskWarrior is an incredibly useful tool to have available to you, and is very likely to fix your problem now, as well as fix future problems that you will have. If I were in your situation, I would buy DiskWarrior. If you are dead set against buying DiskWarrior, and you have adequate backup for the contents of your hard drive, then yes, erasing the hard drive and reinstalling everything from scratch is another option. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way

02-28-2013, 11:10 AM	#7
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,551	Ah, that does make a big difference. If there was a physical event (like a hard knock to the computer), that could cause physical damage to both memory and hard drive at the same time. Oh and by the way, and for the record, I do not work at Alsoft, have never worked at Alsoft, and have never done any business with Alsoft other than buying DiskWarrior a few times. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way

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02-23-2013, 10:37 PM	#2
gsahli MVP Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,250	Try some more troubleshooting. Start with the Install DVD (holding c key) but instead of continuing the install, find Disk Utility and repair the hard drive.

02-28-2013, 09:32 AM	#4
cgbarber Prospect Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4	First, thank you both for the replies. Secondly, Disk Utility is unable to repair the drive. After some google-ing I see that DiskWarrior may be able to repair it, but I don't really feel like shelling out the cash for something that's not guaranteed to work. The info on the drive would be nice to have, but not all that important. I assume that at this point the only other option is to attempt to reformat the drive? If that fails, then I guess I'll know whether or not I'll be needing to purchase a new HD as well? Looks like I'll be making some upgrades :/

02-28-2013, 11:02 AM	#6
cgbarber Prospect Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4	Trevor, who do you work for? Haha. Thanks for the advice. Sounds like it is worth the investment. As to my MBP, I've since learned that it took a little tumble that I was unaware of (kids!), and that incident coincides with the hardware issues, so I'm starting to wonder if this isn't a case of physical damage.

02-28-2013, 11:46 AM	#8
cgbarber Prospect Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4	Oh, I was just giving you a hard time. I didn't think you worked for them. Really appreciate the advice. Knowing what I now know, things are making a little more sense. Therein also lies my reluctance to purchase Disk Warrior, although still useful for future issues, if I'm going to have to shell out $ for a new HD. Thanks again.