Defective Ram?

[glassguy]

I have 2 old laptops. One is a Toshiba Satellite M45-S169, the other is a Dell Inspiron 5100. I was trying to install Umbuntu in the Dell but it has only 256 mb ram. I removed the 512 mb ram from my Toshiba (which has been acting up, freezing, crashing) and installed it in the Dell. The Dell cannot detect the ram from the Toshiba. Could this indicate a faulty stick of ram from the Toshiba? I have been able to reload my OS on the Toshiba and get online but if I do much more than check email it freezes up. I am not even sure that the ram from the different machines is compatible but with the advanced age of each machine I figured I had nothing to lose if I managed to cannibalize parts to get one working. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanx, G

[FTT]

So test it!

http://www.memtest86.com/

But one caution. It is possible the memory slots or banks are defective and not the RAM. I have a Toshiba that only 1 of the 2 slots works and had an old HP mobo that would report faulty RAM even though it was fine if tested ion another motherboard.

But usually, Sodimm RAM is fairly fussy and you need to make sure the sticks are compatible with the laptop involved. The RAM and mobo could be fine, just not compatible with each other.

[glassguy]

I replaced the ram in my toshiba in the unused slot. No change. Testing is in order tonight. Thanks for the response.