"While it is beyond the skill level of most people, the RAM slots can be replaced. Unfortunately if you want to have both RAM slots available, you will need to have this repair done and you don't want to replace the motherboard. The average person is better off running a single large memory module, since the repairs that are required to fix the board are very difficult. The downside to this is you can run half of the memory you could before, but it's the easy fix to deal with a bad RAM slot.
Before you replace the RAM socket, check if the northbridge has an issue and use a completely different set of memory. If this works, both memory modules likely have a problem and replacing the memory was enough to clear up the problem. In most cases, the problem lies with the RAM instead of the socket or chipsets.
However, if it is a bad northbridge, then you will need to decide if it is worthwhile to have the chipset replaced. It most likely will not be and you'll be better off using the machine with one RAM slot for the rest of it's life or selling it for parts.
If you have tested both of these components and find notheing wrong, it's a memory socket problem. The difficulty of sourcing the part and doing the repair depends on which socket is bad but the top slot is much harder to replace then the bottom slot. You also won't be able to find sockets that use the Apple OEM color, since Apple doesn't like 3rd parties being able to repair their stuff. You will also lose the serial number sticker on the board if the top slot is bad if is is not transferred or it is burned, so try to keep it intact if possible. It's best to remove this and put it on wax paper to preserve it.
In terms of sourcing the part, this machine uses a uncommon socket style. You're going to have a harder time finding the correct part but it's not impossible. The only thing that's special about the bottom slot is the plastic is black. It's not important to match this, so it's okay to get a socket that uses the wrong color plastic.
Since the top slot is so sensitive and easy to damage, it is absolutely imperative a quality hot air station is used to avoid damage. Do not use a cheap station since the odds of damage are much higher. It is also a good idea to use a lot of flux to make the solder flow quickly and minimize the heat exposure to the sockets.
If you have not performed such a repair and want to try, spend some time seing which technique works the best and offers the least amount of risk to the top RAM slot on the board. If you determine the job is above your skill level, don't mess with the board and send it to someone who can do the job correctly.
If you're able to repair the board, here's a link to the guide to remove the motherboard: MacBook Pro 13"" Unibody Mid 2010 Logic Board Replacement"
So I cleaned the dead slot with an eraser, and than removed the erase dust with a regular brush and after I used a mechanic pencil to put grafit on the slot so it would be more conductive.
My Macbook finaly turned on with the 2 slots working.
I still need to wait for a few days to be sure that the problem will not come back, but than I just have to try the same procedure."
"Sounds like you have a bigger problem than just a bad SIMM socket.
You state the system doesn't go to sleep when you close the lid or access the menu Sleep instead it abruptly shuts down. The fact your USB devices are burping because the system shutdown incorrectly is to be expected.
The first question I have does the system react the same way when you don't have the USB devices connected? If so the system has another problem that is tied into your memory issue. If the system does not shutdown incorrectly then your USB hub and/or one of the USB devices has a problem as it's drawing do much power.
Question two did you get your system wet or could it have been sat on or twisted? A good clue does it rest on all four feet on a level surface correctly or have a dip in the bottom cover? In either case you may have a short.
Remember Air's are very tight inside and have very little clearance. You may need to open up the system to check things out. Look around the controller chip for water damage or bent cover."
"Deep - Review this MacBook Pro 13"" memory guide on what your options are and the needed specs of the memory modules you'll need.
As to your real issue you should try to figure out why your system was having problems. I still find it hard to believe your socket failed you. It's possible you zapped your memory module when you pulled it out or placed it in (ESD damage).
As to your USB & Shutdown problem I think this is related to your memory slot issue. Can you tell us if you have dropped or damaged your system in some way. Often when you have multiple problems there is a relation between them."
"Have had exactly the same problem with my Macbook 7,1 (Pro 13 inch unibody 2010).
48 hours ago, my MBP stopped booting after a firmware EFI upgrade. Right after the apple logo appeared after booting, a kernel panic was triggered and all further boot processes stopped. So I decided to do a major rehaul, replaced the HDD, took out the optibay for an SSD and upgraded my RAM to 8 GB thinking it might be faulty. The mechanic who helped me also said there was a problem with my hdd sata cable connecting it to the logic board so replaced that too. Last night I had the same problem recurring.
Got sick of it and tried an experiment, removed one (4GB) RAM slot - the one on the top - and tried booting it up again. The MBP works fine so far, but clearly sluggish and the smooth effects/transitions typical of OS X are now jarred.
I have the same question as Deep: Is it healthy running your Mac on just one RAM? Any long term problems? Can it handle SSDs?
Background:''italic text''
A year ago, 15 days after my warranty expired, the MBP gave 3 beeps everytime I switched on the comp and refused to turn on. I took it to the Mac ""genius"" guys and they said $1050 to replace the logic board, just to be ""sure that it's nothing else wrong"". I asked them to go fly a kite and instead tried my hand with an idiot in Singapore who said he was a certified Mac mechanic. Paid him $450 and still had no improvement after he kept it with him for 2 months citing ""complex"" issues. I got sick and tired of it all and threw the Mac in a box, generally cursing my luck and swearing at Mr Jobs.
A year later, a week ago to be precise, I just randomly opened it up and switched it on and it was bloody perfect for 5 days. Nothing went wrong, snappy performance, all apps were fast. Mr Mav was happy. And then when I updated software, came the grey screen of death ""You need to restart your computer"" kernel panic."
"Similar problem here with a mid-2010 macbook pro 15"". Makes my blood boil!
Had the three beeps, kernel panic, screen roll-down telling me the computer needed reboot etc - even completely dead with only the light going on but no other response whatsoever. All this happened at random and in between the computer was running just fine.
Switched the RAM around and it worked!.... for a while...then I ran on just one 2GB ram and tried it in both slots and it was fine for several days - so I figured it was the other RAM that had gone bad. Got two new 2x4GB and tried them - worked fine for 2 days and then I was back at square 1....
Lesson: Before getting new RAM, try both RAMs individually in both slots over 4-5 days and then see if its a faulty RAM or a faulty slot. For me its the lower slot. Running on a 1x4GB in the upper slot now.
So - slots can go bad on a Macbook Pro. Hope this prevents someone else from making a mistake.
