Problems installing new compatible RAM Dell XPS [dell xps gen 5] [dell xps]
Q: Hi all – I have a Dell XPS Gen 5 system and it came with two sticks of 512 MB DDR2 PC2-4200 533MHz RAm.
I recently decided to upgrade, but I got two new sticks of 512 MB PC2-4200 DDR2 RAM (Kingston) and slotted them into my third and fourth DIMM slot. Boots, no beeps or errors, but then nothing . no information that the RAM upgraded, and as far as my XPS Gen 5 is concerned, there is still only 1 GIG ram installed! I decided to test the new RAM was all work and to replace the existing RAM with new RAM – no problem (ie PC boots like nothing has chaned) where ? means the RAM is recognized and as long as the used in DIMM slots 1 and 2,. But 3 and 4, no error beeps, no recognition . nothing: / I had placed 977,503
Previously contrary RAM slots 3 and 4 and the computer beeped and had failed to boot so I do not recognize when false RAM in those slots. But for compatible RAM for some reason is not updated. At system startup, the utility which DIMM slots 3 and 4 are empty! 977 503
Ive mailed Dell tech support, but Im wondering if anyone knows what this is and what I can do. Clearly the new RAM works, it is compatible. Does this mean my motherboard DIMM slots 3 and 4 are faulty? Hope that certainly is not (Dell PC to my collection of my motherboard does sound like something appealing to replace) that either 0.
3 and 4 pairs of RAM at startup ONLY (not in 1 and 2) result in error messages and beeps non able to boot. However, this can only be because of RAM needs to be installed in order. But because the issue doesnt appear to be the two pairs of RAM Im wondering what the deal is with my DIMM slots 3 and 4 .
Best Answer: Vaios are overpriced. If thats not an issue then go for it. If you want a deal then try dell.com and make a computer with the same specs. Or even try newegg.com they have some good deals. Dell XPS is also overpriced compared to their other stuff more for looks. Try to go for performance rather than looks esspecially if you want to be a gamin; you can have the prettiest computer but if your stuff inside isnt up to par then your not going to get very far or even run games. oh and hps tend to over heat. And give vista a try, they have a lot of cool features and the bugs are slowly working their way out. I didnt like it either at first but now I wouldnt want to go back. You can always duel boot too )have two versions of windows on your hd at the sae time and just load whichever one you want up).
5 Tracks of Wealth Membership
Re:Yes Ive tried all combinations. The layout is like this:
1/3 2/4
With 1 and 3 being white and 2 and 4 being black. The Dell PC came with RAM in slots 1 and 2 (not adjacent) so you are supposed to place them in order. I did however try mixing them up with no luck – 3 and 4 is not acknowledged as having any RAM in them regardless unless its non compatible RAM in which case it does not boot up.
5 Minutes Article
Re:Have you tried a 1 and 3, or 2 and 4 configuration?
Fb Lead Gen: Email subscribers with a single Facebook button
Re:LOL I agree Badthad, thats what I plan to do.. sell off my current new RAM, get couple of 1 gig matching sticks, plug them in and then sell the last two sticks. A lot easier :/
5 Day Cash Machine – Super Affiliate Workshop
Re:Dual channel ram can be very picky. If I were you, I'd simply sell off all 4 modules and buy 2 x 1GB modules to replace them….or spend the rest of your life trouble-shooting this problem. I really don't think there's a solution with the modules you have now, they just don't all play nice together, a fairly common occurance in the ram world.
Ebook: Top 5 Strategies For Search Engine Ranking
Re:Any idea how one may actually go about doing that? Because the boot up screen has no such option in its menu… also posting on Dell forums as well as looking in their FAQ and help areas showed nothing of manually turning on the slots? I dud update the bio to the latest release last Xmas but no dice.
The slots are on in that if you were to put in incorrect RAM in 3 and 4 (I tried with some 333 MHz sticks), the PC does not start up with error beeps. So the fact it starts up means slots 3 and 4 are scanning the memory, seeing they are compatible and thus starting up. However after that there is no acknowledgment of their existence.
I have been told it could simply be that the Kingston memory is not compatible with the Samsung.. at least not completely. I tried taking one stick if Kingston and one of Samsung and putting it into DIMM 1 and 2 and they worked. However it is highly likely 3 and 4 will not work until 1 and 2 are occupied (its often the case) but 3 and 4 wont recognise sticks of a different manufacturer perhaps? (odd when 1 and 2 happily runs both). Who knows – I am told Dell systems are very picky and the Kingston RAM sticks do not come up under the Dell specific 100% compatability lists on their official site (even though as I did say before they do work in slots 1 and 2). Perhaps 100% compatability isnt being achieved or something.
I had no idea systems were 'this' picky. I saw they were PC2-4200 DDR2 533 MHZ sticks of the same specs so I picked them up (of a good company too). I didnt think that even then they would have to be a very specific brand and even 'then' have to coincide with existing RAm in the first two slots to ensure no problems occur…
Annoying part is the fact I can have one stick of Samsung in 1, one stick of Kingston in 2 and it actually works. That 'should' prove the two brands do work together. However neither brand works in 3 & 4 after 1 & 2 are occupied (in any combination – tried them all:
- Kingston in 1 & 2, Samsung in 3 & 4 – 1 GIG recognised only
-Samsung in 1 & 2, Kingston in 3 & 4 – 1 GIG recognised only
- Samsung in 1 & 2 only – 1 GIG recognised
- Kingston in 1 & 2 only, 1 GIG recognised
- Samsung in 3 & 4 only, no RAM recognised, PC wont start.
- Kingston in 3 & 4 only, no RAm recognised, PC won't start
- Kingston in 1, Samsung in 2 – 1 GIG recognised, PC starts
- Samsung in 1, Kingston in 2 – 1 GIG recognised, PC starts
- Kingston in 1, Samsung in 2, Kingston in 3, Samsung in 4 – 1 GIG recognised only
- Samsung in 1, Kingston in 2, Samsung in 3, Kinsgston in 4 – 1 GIg recognised only
etc. Process of elimination – 3 & 4 will not beep error or fail to start up BUT will not recognise RAM within it. However 3 & 4 WILL beep and fail to start up if any other non compatible RAm is placed in such as 333 MHZ sticks. i.e. slots are working but current RAm is not working properly with existing RAM. Logical assessment?
5 Trends for 2011 and the Magic Formula Stocks Set to Benefit
Re:Not necessarily – You mention that the computer does not boot if you only have RAM in slots 3 and 4.
There may be a option that you have to activate in the BIOS to use those banks – it may be off by default.
Top 5 Ranking In Google Guaranteed.
Re:Yes the maxium is 8 GB RAM (2 in each of the four slots but generally things get a bit wierd when you get that high with the system only recognising a little over 7 MB RAm etc). 2MB Ram is basically ver safe and nice.
Im emailed Dell tech support os if it is a BIOS thing Im sure he will mention it.
I did some further checks – one stick of Samsung and one stick of Kingstom work together fine if places in slots 1 and 2. So they are compatible together. Sadly this is pointing to issues with banks 3 and 4 on the motherboard isnt it..
Civilization 5 Guide – The First and #1 Unofficial Civ V Guide
Re:Have you checked to see what the maximum amount of RAM the motherboard can take?
There might be a newer firmware version for your BIOS which resolves this problem.
Related posts
Tags: dell xps, dell xps gen 5