This is an old PC....but still working OK, to contact you folks. Originally, the case-sticker says it had 128RAM and 19HDD (you understand these are MB and GB, I hardly need to ask)? I've changed the HDD, when the earlier one croaked, it's now about 300G and the memory is one slot empty, one slot full - with just 512M. At a computer fair Today, I bought the same thing =PC133 SDRAM 512M - and - The PC refuses to power-up with this new memory! I have tried different slots, and using the new-one on its own, in the "occupied slot" - so, it would appear to be faulty, possibly a short. What happens is the motherboard beeps a couple of times then stops. Some lights on the PCB are alight, and there is no smoke (yet). The monitor is blank also. I've reverted to the original 512 memory, (which I got from another PC ages ago). All seems correct, either slot. This type of memory is quite difficult to find, hence the reason for trying this "upgrade" despite the PC working OK . . . . I'm using it for video-editing where any "extra" will help -and- more RAM is a cost-effective update. The HDD has on-board cache and appears to have much further to go. I also upped the Optical to DVD-R/W and the Dell hasn't complained. Does anyone here know why this memory might be "wrong" ?- curiously it has the same notches, etc. and fits the side-clips correctly; however, it's about a half-inch taller - There is no fouling of internal cables, or chassis, so I'd guess it's just a "different design". It is possible it's the wrong-sort of memory and the first BIOS check is failing, but I'm unable to read the PC-Book, as it's missing....and wondered if folk here might recognise the problem. I looked for some Mbd-jumpers to move (for this extra memory) - but found none obvious and I recall moving up to 512 did not require it (Nor any BIOS change...it just accpeted it)......I could try adding the older memory as well - but I think it was 2 x 128M so the "improvement" will be quite small, I may not notice. It's pretty cold here, so I cannot imagine it's the PSU complaining - so maybe I have some duff memory?...Bah, Humbug! ++Anyone suggest alternative RAM tests...?
I can understand there being a RAM-Limit (in the BIOS), but why stop at 512M? The issue as I recall is that the Dell takes one "Old 512" but won't accept a "New512" - even on its own. It just beeps . . . exactly the same as when I tried to give it "Server RAM" which is a known issue (but not by me when I bought it). As it is I have one good 512 (in the Dell) - and one bad 512 (near the bin!). Thanks.
It is not the bio's limit, But the Motherboard limit... This is a older pc, and Motherboard... And you can only MAX out its memory to 512 mb.. You will need another pc, OR Motherboard to a higher Ram into it..
Thanks for the prpompt reply - Ah, yes; but that doesn't explain why the "new512" won't work on its own - that's the puzzle, IMHO.
If the new chip is exactly the same, Pc-133 or Pc 100 sdram, then I would say the new chip is no good.. Dell is not the best when it comes to ram, They seem to have allot of problems..
