FRYS ELECTRONICS (I should've known better)

[Benmrx]

I was in a pinch and needed some more ram, so I head on down to Fry's Electronics. I tell the guy in full detail, the exact type of ram I need... on my iPhone.., showing him the Crucial website. It's pretty specific as it's for an older 2006 Macpro. After some debate on how much ram to get, he assures me that this particular pack of 2x4GB sticks will work perfectly.

I get home...., dig out the computer, which is no easy task. Pop open the side door, pull out the bay and........ waaah.. waaah... it's the wrong kind of ram. This means I get to return it...., it's a 30 minute drive to Frys from my house. So a round trip is roughly 1 hour. Now I get to go again..., another hour..., and we all know gas isn't especially cheap...., not to mention the wasted time.

I should've known better...., because this EXACT SAME SCENARIO happened to me about a year ago. Wrong ram. 2 hours total driving time.

I'm not a computer wiz. All I can do is Google or go to Crucial and use their site to find the kind of ram I need. The packaging said DDR2...... :\

The nice cherry on top, is that I also purchased a USB WiFi stick to try and connect my airport'less MacPro to our home network. Again... I was assured it would work perfectly. After 3 hours of failed installs, and Google'ing..., I decided to forget it and just install the ram and get back to work......... that's when I dug the computer out.... nice eh?

Consider driving times and the extra gas to go back to Fry's, today is not only a wash, but I actually spent money to get absolutely nothing done.

OWC here I come.

[kafka]

You need Fully Buffered DDR2 for the MacPro. It's pretty uncommon to find that in any retail store.

[Benmrx]

Originally Posted by kafka

You need Fully Buffered DDR2 for the MacPro. It's pretty uncommon to find that in any retail store.

I know they have it there..., because last time I was able to return it and get the right kind.

[AllAboutTone]

Newegg

It's not Fry it's all retail, I ran into the same crap with local computer store, fully buffered is correct.

Fry's is EPIC.

[ddageek]

If one must go to Frys for anything MAC related even an IEC powercord, DO NOT SPEAK TO ANYONE WHO IS NOT IN THE APPLE AREA! Chances are even then the odd customer knows more!

I would try Mac sales, OWC !

[Benmrx]

OK..., I was able to get back to Fry's before they closed to make the return. Before leaving I took a picture of the ram currently in the Macpro. I gotta say...., the customer service at Frys was actually pretty good. I was shocked. Maybe I got lucky, both at customer service, and the computer dept.

The return was easy enough, and the guy felt bad. Not the usual 20 questions. In the computer dept., when I showed the guy what I needed (different person I might add), he checked and they only had a single 8GB pack left, 2x4GB sticks. Obviously the fully buffered ram is more expensive, and although it's still cheap enough, I wasn't planning on spending that much. I made a case for myself..., and he ended up knocking a fair amount off. End of story, I got a killer deal on 2x4GB sticks of ram, and now have 15GB total.

Not a bad ending. And to those two guys at Fry's.., I say thanks.

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by Benmrx

Obviously the fully buffered ram is more expensive,

YES IT IS...... This has happen to people a million times with this mac pro ram, sometimes you do run into someone that knows their crap, rare though.

[ddageek]

Glad you got what you need and some service!

[NYMo]

Just for your info
I have an old macpro... Paid $40 for an airport card, stuck it in(attach the antennas)
Found my home wi fi straight up ...bliss !