Memory in my Dell. How much and what type?

[OldWelshGuy]

First let me say that me an hardware don't mix. I am happy to replace things, but I hate it and a no geek (other than being an SEO geek)

On my desk I have a Dell inspirion 531 it has an athlon 64x2 dual core 5600+ 2.81 processor, and 2MB of ram.

I wanted to add more memory as she struggles a little bit I have added an ASUS 256MB graphics card, as I have multiple monitors and thought that might help.

Ok so I want more memory so i bought some. can't be hard I thought, but it looks like I have bought the wrong memory.

I bought a single stick of 1Mb (I have 2 spare slots) I understand that a 32 bit OS will only recognise 3MB so no point in buying more?

I bought DDR2 - 667 CL5 PC2 5300U 555

I had 2xR8 PC2- 5300U 555 12 E3

In short, I stick it in and the sytem won't boot normally. It booted into safe mode, but will not boot.

So any thoughts? (other than buy the right memory )

1. have I bought the wrong memory?
2. is it worth buying more mmory if so should I buy 2 sticks or one? can I slap another 2MB in and let the system work out what it will use?
3. can I upgrade the processor, if so to what.

Any help appreciated

 

[akirk]

http://www.crucial.com/uk/

they have a tool which will scan your machine and tell you

Alasdair

 

[Faevilangel]

Tr this site OWG... Will tell you what you need...

You are correct 32bit windows can only see / use 3GB of RAM.. (Not MB or Mb)...

If you want a new processor, it will be just better to buy a new pc, it's so fiddly installing a new processor, and having to mess with thermal paste...

This pc seems a bloody good price (core I7, 500GB HDD and 3GB Ram (easily updatable as has windows 64 Bit))

 

[OldWelshGuy]

according to Crucial the DDR2 667 memory should have worked
I am really confused now.

 

[Faevilangel]

according to Crucial the DDR2 667 memory should have worked
I am really confused now.

Try just the new RAM, some Mobo's don't allow you to use 2 different speeds... Normally they just cut down the higher RAM to the same speed as the slower...

 

[awebapart.com]

I recently upgraded my Dell Dimension E520 (different system with different memory rules) from 2GB to 3GB RAM (I'm not a hardware person either, more a software person).

Here's what I would recommend...

It is worth having a good look at what the system setup bios screens say about your memory, having a good look at your Dell's system's manual (you can find it online if you haven't got one handy), and a good look at your existing memory chips (take them out and compare them with what you intend to buy, will what you are buying actually fit correctly etc)

I got Kingston value memory in the end (from Amazon) and it worked fine, but other branded memory should be fine too, e.g. Crucial.

My system did originally have 533Mhz memory speed, but the new memory I got was 667MHz, but the system automatically clocked it down to 533. With some memory there might be issues with clocking down, e.g. if the memory requires 1.9V power but wont work with 1.8V supplied, and I guess this is where the higher quality branded memory might have a better chance of working in various configurations.

Sometimes it might just be faulty memory.

As for other upgrades, I'll happily add hard disks, newer operating systems (Vista to Win 7), graphics cards etc, but I personally wouldn't mess around with processor or motherboard upgrades - that's when, for me, it's usually time for a better new (or refurbished) PC.

 

[akirk]

3Gb is not the limit for windows 32 bit

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx
gives a more accurate (but terribly boring ) understanding...

in more simple terms what you have is:
4Gb addressable
but addressable by everything

therefore you put in 4Gb and then subtract from that the amount being used by your graphic card (main culprit) etc.

so in my case - with 4Gb in there I have c. 1 gb reserved for other hardware (I have a very nice graphics card...) but with a different (lower spec.) graphics card I would have more memory addressable...

I would notrmally replace all ram at the same time with a kit...
it is also possible that the ram is defective - % of duff ram is quite high

Alasdair

 

[mit74]

The majority of motherboards these days can cope with different makes of RAM but it's really not advised. Dell motherboards on the other hand...

The fact it's booting into safemode means it's working but for some reason windows doesn't like it. Does it crash when booting normally? If you can download memtest and burn to disc and do a memory scan it may be possible your new mem is damaged. Also try running the new mem on it's own.

To be honest if you're using XP then 3gb isn't going to make a big difference to speed. It's more likely your windows needs a reinstall or good service to get rid of the startup junk that builds up over time.

 

[awebapart.com]

I recently upgraded my Dell Dimension E520 (different system with different memory rules) from 2GB to 3GB RAM (I'm not a hardware person either, more a software person).

I should have added that one of the reasons I upgraded to 3GB not 4GB was because I only had one memory slot left, the original 2GB configuration was taking up 3 slots, 1x1GB and 2x512MB memory.

 

[mit74]

I should have added that one of the reasons I upgraded to 3GB not 4GB was because I only had one memory slot left, the original 2GB configuration was taking up 3 slots, 1x1GB and 2x512MB memory.

This may be a dual-channel memory problem. Are the colours of your memory 2 different colours? If they are then depending in your module layout it may be trying to assign the memory to dual-channel but crashing because the memory are different makes. Try putting in both 1gb first and see if that works. You can also turn off dual-channel in bios if needed.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Sorry meant to say it is Vista home prmium on the desktop but it is 32bit not the 64 bit.

When I try to boot it in normal mode it gets so far, then I get the icon just sitting there spinning around starting up, but nothing happens any further than that.

I ahve too much stuff on there to change the machine i really can't be doing with installing all the software again. I have loads of stuff on here.

 

[nitro23456]

I presume you mean GB or is this an old thread from 1986?

 

[awebapart.com]

I should have added that one of the reasons I upgraded to 3GB not 4GB was because I only had one memory slot left, the original 2GB configuration was taking up 3 slots, 1x1GB and 2x512MB memory.

This may be a dual-channel memory problem. Are the colours of your memory 2 different colours? If they are then depending in your module layout it may be trying to assign the memory to dual-channel but crashing because the memory are different makes. Try putting in both 1gb first and see if that works. You can also turn off dual-channel in bios if needed.

Thank you, but I'm not having any problems with my system. My system is working fine.

It is the OP (original poster to this thread) that is having issues, and his system and configuration is different.

Sorry if I have caused any confusion.

 

[mit74]

Thank you, but I'm not having any problems with my system. My system is working fine.

It is the OP (original poster to this thread) that is having issues, and his system and configuration is different.

Sorry if I have caused any confusion.

np I quoted wrong post that's all