Article: Should I Install Memory into my iMac?

Should I Install RAM in My iMac Myself? (Excerpt)

by Ryan J. Faas, About.com

The question really isn't "Can I install the RAM myself?" so much as it is "Do I want to do it?". The installation isn't one that Apple has forbidden users to do (in fact the iMac's online help documentation includes instructions for the process), and I think that if most users familiarize themselves with the process and take their time, they can probably manage it. But, this RAM installation is a far cry from the simplicity of the Blue and White G3 Macs and it can be a frustrating and time consuming process. As I've said many times, this really isn't something that you to be your first experience of installing RAM.

Although I'm not going to go into detailed descriptions of the process, it is pretty straightforward and obvious. Removing the bottom of the iMac isn't hard, neither is removing the screws and cables from the motherboard, though this does get a bit cumbersome (and you definitely should have a range of screwdrivers on hand). The motherboard slides out pretty easily, but the same can't be said of sliding it back in. The positioning of the RAM socket parallel rather than on edge to the motherboard, the metal cage that surrounds the processor and RAM daughtercard (the top of which is removed easily for installation), and the motherboard's unusual shape can make inserting the SO-DIMM RAM module tricky at first even if you have installed RAM before and particularly difficult and even confusing if you aren't familiar with installing DIMM modules and snapping them in properly. As I said, this really isn't a good computer to be your first RAM installation experience.

Once the module is in place, comes the process of reassembling the iMac, which would be much simpler if the CD ROM drive wasn't attached to the motherboard. Lining the drive up so that it is positioned correctly to slide back into place completely takes a bit of time and effort, particularly the first couple of times you do this. This will probably take you longer than you expect, especially as you may be nervous about putting too much pressure on the whole contraption.

Lastly, or hopefully last anyway, you turn the iMac on and make sure the new RAM is installed and recognized properly. As with any installation, don't put all the screws and plates back together any more than you have to until after you've made sure everything went alright (saves time taking it apart if it didn't). And, the most frustrating thing I've seen happen to users is, at this point after having taken the iMac apart, installed the module, and reassembled everything, you get a message at Startup saying there is trouble with the internal RAM and suggesting you contact a Service Center. At this point most people either want to do that just to so they don't have to open the iMac up and try to figure out what happened or they want to throw it out the window. Users unfamiliar with installing RAM are more likely to experience this because they may have thought the module installed securely and properly when it wasn't (again, a reason this is best done by people who have installed RAM before).

So, my general advice is to pay an Apple Authorized Service Center the $20 - $40 it will cost to install the RAM for you, particularly if you're new at opening computers. It simply isn't worth the aggravation or effort you may run into doing it yourself. And, if you're planning on installing into the iMac's "lower" RAM slot (the one where the factory installed 32MB resides), you'll definitely want to visit a Service Center as installing into this slot yourself will void your iMac's warranty.

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