Memory upgrades to Dell Studio Desktop (4 GB to 8 GB RAM)

Hi, Something I did might help you.  I tried to upgrade my Dimension 5150 with more RAM in matched pairs but my machine would only recognise one of the pairs.  I found something in BIOS setup which fixed it for me.  At startup press F2 for setup, go to "security", see if you have something called, "Execute Disable Memory Protection", if you do, is it ON?  Set it to OFF, close down, put your new memory in and........ Well, it worked for me, maybe it will for you.  Best of luck! 

I spent 12 hours yesterday talking to Dell Tech Support, reading up on the installation process on kingston.com an support.dell.com, and tinkering with the memory modules/connectors.  At one point, my computer would not even boot.

The first Dell Tech rep had me update BIOS and two other drivers.  He concluded after going to Set-up (F2 key on boot-up) that not was Vista unable to recognize memory above 4GB but that my PC could not recognize or use additional memory.  Hence, the extra 4 GB were totally useless in his opinion.

The second tech had me rearrange both old and new pairs of memory modules in different connector positions (1/3 or 2/4), both together and singly in pairs.  She concluded that the new pair of modules were defective, as the older pair of memory worked in whatever positions they were in (1/3 or 2/4), while the new pair NEVER did (1/3 or 2/4).

I don't think it could be incompatibility, as at least at first all four fitted in the connectors at least allowed my PC to boot up normally.  If the two pairs had simply been incompatible, that could not explain why the new pair never worked when the older pair had been taken out.

She also disagreed with the first tech saying that my PC should be able to accomodate up to 8 GB.

I can only conclude that whatever the case that my PC cannot use the extra 4 GB.  I am astonished that they are defective, as both Kingston and Dell asserted they would be compatible with my PC (I spoke to Dell over the phone; two persons conferred and said it would be O.K.).

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=50132&mfr=Dell&model=Studio+Desktop&search_type=&root=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ec.kingston.com%2Fecom%2Fconfigurator_new&LinkBack=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kingston.com&Sys=50132-Dell-Studio+Desktop&distributor=0&submit1=Search

http://www.kingston.com/tools/umg/umg08.asp

http://www.kingston.com/support/SYSTEMMEMORY/faqs/general_17.asp

http://www.kingston.com/support/SYSTEMMEMORY/faqs/general_17.asp

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/STD540/en/SM/Output/memory.htm#wp1188716

denny1700,

The Studio 540/540s system supports up to eight GB of Dell memory in four memory slots. Call Dell Spare Parts 1-800-372-3355. Ask for part number YG410 (2GB 800Mhz unbuffered non-ECC DDR2). Return the Kingston and get YG410. 

Which specific Studio Desktop PC model?

These were the memory modules I used:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A1643253&cs=19&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=27530&lid=627063#Overview

Called.   No such part.

I wish I could find the name of the Dell rep whom I spoke with last week who confirmed with his colleague that Dell Part# : A1643253 would be compatible with my PC (he had my service tag).

Studio 540 (Minitower)