A weird RAM upgrade problem...

[Mini-Me]

Well, folks, I was upgrading some RAM on a friends computer.
I have done this for heaps of people, so I know the drill and proceedure well.

All armed with my antistatic strap, I installed the extra 256MB DDR stick, and powered up, and was promptly rewarded with long beeps - typical of a m/board which does not like the taste of the ram you just put in.

So, I figured that maybe that stick was a dud, so I went and swapped it for another new one, and plonked that in, and the same result.

Now, I know what you're thinking - all the standard RAM install issues, but i've checked them all: Cleaned the ram-slot with compressed air to get rid of any dust preventing contact, reseated 2/3 times, used anti-static strap, only held ram by edges(did not touch the chips or their legs), made sure power was unplugged before installing - all the usual precautions, and as I said - this is not the 1st ram stick I have put in!!!

The existing stick of RAM that was in the machine when it was new is a Dell-stickered 256MB DDR PC3200, so I got 256MB DDR PC3200 Samsung-stickered ram as the extra stick - should not pose any problems, and should work.(as both are DDR, and the same speed)
:)

Anyway, I took a summary of the hardware with Everest, and here is the relevant information:

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Celeron D 335, 2800 MHz (21 x 133)
Motherboard Name Dell Dimension 3000
Motherboard Chipset Intel Morgan Hill i865GV
System Memory 253 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Phoenix (11/08/04)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller (96 MB)
3D Accelerator Intel Extreme Graphics 2
Monitor Dell E773s [17" CRT] (M858056FB18D)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Intel 82801EB ICH5 - AC'97 Audio Controller [A-2/A-3]

Storage:
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
Disk Drive WDC WD400BB-75JHC0 (37 GB, IDE)
Optical Drive TSSTcorp CD-RW TS-H292B
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

------------------------------------------------------------

I have not included all the report, as it is very large, but this should give enough info to help you guys to help me!
:p

It's weird, cos I have done heaps of RAM upgrades, and normally, you just insert the stick, fire up the PC, and away you go.
:confused:

Now, I know this is a Dell, and we have covered Dell's many times before, but I was wondering if it is at all possible that Dell machines require proprioretry RAM - it must be a Dell-specific ram stick you put in.

I would not have thought so, but you never know, do you...

[ErnieK]

HAve you tried removing the OLD stick of RAM and just using the new one?

Sounds stupid I know but also try putting the new ram into the existing ram position and the old ram into a second slot. I have in the past had problems where just swapping the sticks round has solved the problem. Don't ask me why but for some reason this has worked for me in the past.

Here is the CRUCIAL page for your computer. Checkout thier RAM specs against the one you purchased. http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Dell%2BDimension+% 2F+Dimension+XPS&mfr=Dell&tabid=AM&model=Dimension+3000&submit=Go

Thier specs for similar ram is
DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR400 • 2.6V • 32Meg x 64

[Mini-Me]

Nah, did not try swapping the mods around - did not think this would make any difference at all, but now that you mention it, I will try this tomorrow and see what happens.

[saphalline]

Also try powering it up with just the OLD stick of RAM moved to the slot where you were putting the NEW stick of RAM. It could just be that the slot itself is bad.

The other thing to consider is the fact that the chipset is dual-channel capable. It may not like the Dell + Samsung combo in dual-channel. Try putting them both on the same channel instead.

[johnny_quest]

Now, I know this is a Dell, and we have covered Dell's many times before, but I was wondering if it is at all possible that Dell machines require proprioretry RAM - it must be a Dell-specific ram stick you put in.

I would not have thought so, but you never know, do you...


I had a Dell Precision 650 that required dell-specific (not necesarilly dell brand) ram. it didn't like just any brand off ecc stuff. sorry thats not much help, but maybe goto dell.com, see what they recommend for an upgrade (brand wise)

[ErnieK]

It could be that you bought BUFFERED RAM as opposed to UN-buffered ram, and this would make a difference. The RAM experts will explain why as I cannot due to ignorance