Vostro 420 4GB Memory Limitation

The inspiron 530 also says 4 gigs max but I can say for certain that after bios update to 1.0.15 that 8 gigs aka 4 of the 2 gig modules Works fine with Vista 64 BIT.

I would suspect the same is true for the Vostro 420 but I'm not familiar with that model.

1.0.3 is the current bios afaikt.

http://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/Vx20-103.exe

I have two Vostro 420s using bios 1.0.3 and they both work with 8GB under Windows 7 64bit no problem.  Vista 64bit should work fine too, if you have all the drivers you need.  I think the only one I had to get was the soundcard driver, and despite what Dell says the 32bit download also includes the 64bit driver.

So, get your 8GB and enjoy! :emotion-1:

Thanks for the replies!!! I now have better information when I make my purchase. 

Curious...  alanc172, why do you put the service partition on every boot drive?  Doesn't the service partition only have the diagnostics on it?

I agree with the marketing aspect. Although it seems simple to add another driver pack for 64bit operating systems, it must be a major investment to support it.  I noticed that Dell restricts their BIOS with several of their lines.

With the Dell Service partition in place, Windows never will ask for a License code.

I can change any hardware (except mother board) and never have to call Windows

to re authorize my system for updates.

I am thinking of upgrading my Vostro 420 memory to 8 gb. What is the model # and manufacturer of memory you are using

Mushkin   996587   2gb x 2   HP2-6400   two kits for 8gb .   Less than $100

How do you format a new drive to include the 64mb fat16 Dell service partition?

I am trying to "clone" my old Dimension 8200 to the new Vostro 420.

My plan isas follows.  First, format the new drive, including all partitions usually utilized by Dell such as the 64mb fat16 Dell Service partition.

Second; copy my old windows xp install from the old Dell.  I guess there are no hidden files that I need to worry about, so I would  just do  a straight copy.

Finally, I would do a Windows repair install using the system disc in order to complete the "clone:"of  my old system.

Do you think that will work?

By the way, at what point should I add in the old PCI cards?

I'm so confused, i just bought a Vostro 420, and put in 8GB memory. it doesn't work at all, it gives me 2 beep and amber light blinking. once i remove 2 sticks from the MB, it works with 4GB memory in it.

I am trying to "clone" my old Dimension 8200 to the new Vostro 420. My plan isas follows.  First, format the new drive, including all partitions usually utilized by Dell such as the 64mb fat16 Dell Service partition. Second; copy my old windows xp install from the old Dell.  I guess there are no hidden files that I need to worry about, so I would  just do  a straight copy. Finally, I would do a Windows repair install using the system disc in order to complete the "clone:"of  my old system. Do you think that will work? By the way, at what point should I add in the old PCI cards?

I use Ghost, which copies at the sector level, to transfer over hard drive partitions to new drives. No partioning or formatting is necessary on the new drive.

Mushkin 996587 2gb x 2 HP2-6400 two kits for 8gb . Less than $100

I run my Vostro 420 with W7 64Bit and 8GB memory.  No issues at all.  Vista 64Bit did not work for me at all.

Here's how to recreate the Dell Diagnostic Utility Partition from scratch:

Method 1 - Cloning:

If you have a license for Ghost, you can use that to clone the partition (not disk)...however, there are a few caveats.

1) a partition of the correct size (or larger) must already exist, and

2) it must be in the correct location on the hard drive, which is at the very beginning of the drive.

3) cloning the partition often results in an unhidden partition, which may mess up your boot configuration file, if you have an existing operating system on the target drive.

You can use Clonezilla instead of Ghost, it's just a little more technical.  If you're going to use CloneZilla, I'd recommend downloading the Parted Magic Live CD - it's pretty great, and it's an Open Source combination of Ghost and Partition Magic.

You can also use Odin, or Acronis True Image... I know that Seagate HDDs come with a free copy, perhaps others do as well.

Method 2 - DIY:

**This is how I do it, and it works every time.**

I like to create the partition from scratch, and then either "upgrade" the "existing" diagnostic partition - which means run the diagnostic tool for your model and transfer the tools to the 64 Mb partition.

I use MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Free Edition, and it works just fine.

1) create a 64 Mb Primary Fat16 partition at the beginning of the drive - hit "Apply"

**note** don't assign a drive letter, but if you do, remove it later

2) Right-click and "Modify" the partition - hide the partition - hit "Apply"

3) Right-click and "Modify" the partition, and change the "Partition Type ID" to 0xDE Dell OEM - hit "Apply"

4) use the Dell diagnostic utility for your model to "upgrade" the diagnostic utility partition.

Dan Goodells' Method:

This guy is the Obi-Won Kenobi of the Dell Diagnostic Partition...he shows you how to recreate it, customize it, roll your own, etc.  His name even ends in "Dell"

http://www.goodells.net/dellutility/

Old School Method:

Create the partition with a Hex editor.

Have fun with that.

I advise you stay away from the dell vostro 420 I have one its