MacBook 5,1 (unibody) getting kernel panics if memory bank 0 is populated Any configuration of ram that uses bank 0 on my MacBook causes a kernel panic after about an hour of use.


The slot looks fine: all the pins are there, and are straight (no visible bends or breaks)
it's not a RAM problem; I've tried four different modules in total, all of them leading to the same results.
My EFI/SMC is up to date
PRAM and SMC resets don't help
OS X reinstallation doesn't help


How should I proceed to troubleshoot/fix this?
You've covered pretty much all the troubleshooting bases. If it's not a problem with the RAM itself, and it's not a problem with the firmware or software, it's almost certainly a hardware problem.

You could try running the Apple Hardware Test, but it's almost certainly a problem with the memory controller, which as far as I'm aware means a new logic board. Take it to an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider.