Extra memory not recognized Inspiron 3650

What's the total amount of RAM installed? You only have 2 memory slots in the 3650, so do you have two 8-GB modules?

Where do you see only 8 GB, in BIOS setup and/or in Windows?

The latest BIOS is 3.3.8, but the update don't change anything related to RAM.

Thanks for the response. I bought the second 8 Gb DIMM to get to 16 Gb. The computer came with 8Gb pre-installed, leaving one slot open. Both the BIOS and Windows system show just 8 Gb. I reseated both DIMMs just to be sure but nothing changed.

Sure the second module is compatible with this system?

If you remove the original RAM module and put the new one in the slot where the original one was, how much RAM does the PC see in BIOS?

If the PC sees the new module when it's alone, it's possible the two modules aren't compatible with each other. If PC doesn't see the new module when it's alone, it's either incompatible with the PC or it's defective.

Assuming PC sees the new module when it's alone, you can try clearing BIOS:

1. Reboot and IMMEDIATELY press F2 to open BIOS setup
2. Copy down all current BIOS settings - just to be safe
3. Power off and unplug
4. Press/hold power button for ~15 sec
5. Open case and remove motherboard battery
6. Press/hold power button for ~30 sec
7. Install both RAM modules
8. Reinstall battery (right-side-up!)
9. Close case and reboot with mouse, monitor and keyboard connected

Does it see all 16 GB after clearing BIOS?

I followed the first part of your suggestion and removed the original module and put the new one in its place. The computer would not even boot up, with the LED in the power button flashing amber two times and repeating the cycle. Nothing ever displayed on the monitor and there was no disk activity apparent. I believe the 2nd module that I purchased is either defective or incompatible as you suggested. I will be contacting Dell support tomorrow to return the module (Tried today but apparently they are off for the MLK holiday. Thanks for your help.

Is there a part number on the new module? Is it the same as the one on the original module?

Sounds like they may have shipped the wrong module to you. Hope they replace it right away.

Post back and let us know what happens.

i'm on the phone with Customer Care right now. It seems the 3650 requires DDR3L modules and I was sent a DDR3. The L indicates low power and a module without the "L" designation won't work.

Yup, you need DDR3L so sounds like  they did send the wrong one.

DUH!

Thanks. I'll give them a try.

Thanks again for your help and sorry for the rant.

You're welcome and I don't blame you for ranting. :emotion-5:

You should contact Dell Unresolved Issues which should spare you the frustrations of bouncing from rep to rep, only to be told it's bye-bye time.

Fill out the form completely and say they didn't send the 8 GB DDR3L module which your system requires. And you should mention -politely- that you got bounced around only to be told they're closed so that's why you're using that form.

Yeah, and after spending 2+ hours on the phone with 7 different reps from tech support, Customer Care and some other team, the last one I got sent to told me they were now closing and to call back tomorrow!

I got passed from Customer Care to Tech support and back to customer care and then to someone on some kind of "Pro" team who told me she was the wrong person and I needed to go back to customer care. That's when I got the "sorry we're closed" line. My last Dell purchase ever. Thanks again for your help and sorry for the rant.

Hi again Ron. Well I couldn't use the Unresolved Issues apparently because there was no service request # ever issued. So I spent another 50 min. with Customer Care this morning, only to be informed that  tech support gave him a memory module part number that is for a DDR3 module. This guy claims the tech he talked to insisted this was going to be an exact replacement for the memory in the 3650 (DDR3L) even though it is listed as DDR3 not DDR3L. I tried to explain the difference with DDR3L to no avail. He's just Customer Care, doesn't know the tech details but reiterated that Christine assured him this would work. Suffice to say I'm not very confident.

In any event, I won't be bothering you further with this as I'm sure you need to spend your time on solutions to tech issues. (Now, if I could just find someone with a solution for the outsourcing of Dell support to India..................)

I'll ping one of my Dell contacts to see if they can help...

The Inspiron 3650 desktop ships with the following 8GB memory stick =
VR648 DIMM,8GB,1600MHz,2RX8,4G,DDR3L,U

The first thing you should do is re-contact Order Support through Chat and get a straight refund for the memory stick you purchased. Then buy VR648 either from Dell Spare Parts 1-800-357-3355 or online.

Thanks Chris. I could not get anyone at Customer Care, Order Support or Tech Support to understand the importance of that "L" at the end of DDR3.

Contact 'em through chat and tell the very first one that you want to return the module for a full refund.

Then just order the right one separately, as Chris advised....