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5394
November 7th, 2002 11:00
Memory not recognized in BIOS and Windows 2000 for Dimension 8100.
Hello,
I have a Dell Dimension 8100 with Windows 2000.
I bought 2 sets of Kingston KTD-DM800/256 memory as they suggested on their website.
When I look in the BIOS setup, it`s written that I have only 256MB installed instead of 512MB. Same thing in Windows 2000.
I have verified each memory set individually in the slot 1 and 2 with the continuity module in slot 3 & 4. They worked fine.
When I install the 2 memory sets (4 rimms), the second memory set in slot 3 & 4 seems to be not recognized or detected. But the computer still working.
My system has the last BIOS version installed (A09).
Thank you for your help!
Richard
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Karell
2 Intern
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2.5K Posts
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November 8th, 2002 14:00
Richard,
Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.
Test the memory on slots 3 and 4 with CRIMM modules in slots 1 and 2.
1.Also try resetting the bios defaults.
2.Use the RTCRST jumper on the motherboard to reset the bios ESCD data.
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**Reset the bios defaults.**
Dimension 8100 Reset Configuration Data
Restart your computer.
At the first text on the screen, or the Dell logo, press the (F2) key every three seconds until the message Entering Setup appears.
The System Setup screen appears.
Press the (Caps Lock) key, the (Scroll Lock) key, and the (Num Lock) key to light up all three lights on the keyboard.
Press the (Alt)+(E) keys at the same time.
The system will emit a beep tone to indicate that NVRAM has been cleared.
Press the (Esc) key and then press the (Enter) key to save the changes and reboot the system.
Proceed with the installation or troubleshooting that you were attempting.
**If you are using a USB Keyboard, you need to peform the following steps,
before exiting the 8100 system setup program.
Use the (Down Arrow Key) to highlight (Integrated Devices).
Press the (Enter Key).
Use the (Down Arrow Key) to highlight (USB Emulation).
Use the (Left or Right) arrow keys, to change it to (ON)
Press the (Escape Key) until the system reboots.
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You can find diagrams on the RTCRST jumper here <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
You can find diagrams on removing/replacing parts here.
1.Turn off the system.
2.Unplug all cables/devices from the back of it.
3.Hold down the power button for 7 seconds.
4.Open the system case.
5.Rotate the power supply upward.
6.Remove the jumper block from the PSWD jumpers.
7.Place that jumper block on the RTCRST jumpers.
8.Plug in the power cable, mouse, keyboard, monitor.
9.Turn the system on for 15 seconds.
10.Turn the system off and remove all cables.
11.Remove the jumper block from the RTCRST jumpers.
12.Replace the jumper block on the PSWD jumpers.
13.Put everything back together and boot into Bios.
14.Reset the bios defaults.
15.Save the changes and boot into Windows.
_Richard_
3 Posts
0
November 11th, 2002 18:00
Hello,
I`ve followed your instructions step-by-step.
Now, the BIOS detects 512Mb. That's very good.
But when I look in Windows 2000, he's detecting 256Mb only.
I`ve done your instructions twice.
It`s very weird. I`ve never seen this kind of problem in 7 seven years.
Any idea?
Richard
Karell
2 Intern
•
2.5K Posts
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November 12th, 2002 16:00
It's good that the bios detect 512MB.
I've only seen the problem with the memory in Win98.
It usually ended up being a reinstall to fix it.
1.Try running the Add\Remove hardware wizard, to see if it detects the memory.
2.Try using SFC /Scannow.
3.Reinstall Win2000.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Information:
To try and fix problems with Windows corrupt files, please try using Windows SFC.
Solution:
4.) Put your Windows2000 reinstall CD in the system.
2.) Click Start, Run.
3.) Type in ( SFC /Scannow )
4.) Click OK, and the system will start checking the system files.
5.) If any errors are found the system will prompt you to replace these files.
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_Richard_
3 Posts
0
November 13th, 2002 13:00
Hello Karell,
I`ve finally found what cause the memory limitation.
Look what I`ve found in the boot.ini file:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional (Memory: NT=230 MB, MIL=12.6 MB)" /MAXMEM=230 /fastdetect
The boot.ini file are edited when a imaging software is installed to allocate some needed non-paged memory in the system.
My problem is not totally resolve, but I will workaround this discover I`ve made.
Thank you very much for your help!
Richard