Thanks for the info Davet. I'm sure I bought the right memory, I will try to do a CMOS Reset. I couldn't get to the system manual online, so thanks so much for the link.

I'm thinking I may have zapped the computer with static electricity and killed the motherboard. Do you or anyone else out there know how much a new motherboard for this system will be?

A friend told me to try to open run the computer with no memory installed, any other suggestions?

As per previous poster, the XPS 210 memory needs to be installed in PAIRS.

So, fitting 3 sticks is no good.

Interesting that you 2 say that.  When I called Dell about the problem, the tech guy said 3 1GB sticks would be fine.

I did the CMOS reset and put in the new memory and now everything runs fine.  It recognized all 3 sticks in the BIOS so it seems that everything is fine now.  Not sure what the problem was really.

Thanks for the help! :)

Hey, glad it works :)

Here's what the doc says on the matter:

Memory

You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board.

Your computer supports unbuffered, non-ECC, DDR2 memory.

NOTE: Buffered memory is not supported on this computer. DDR2 Memory Overview

DDR2 memory modules should be installed in pairs of matched memory size, speed, and technology. If the DDR2 memory modules are not installed in matched pairs, the computer will continue to operate, but with a slight reduction in performance. See the label on the module to determine the module capacity.

 

 

NOTE: Always install DDR2 memory modules in the order indicated on the system board.

The recommended memory configurations are:

• A pair of matched memory modules installed in DIMM connectors 1 and 2 (white securing clips)

or

• A pair of matched memory modules installed in DIMM connectors 1 and 2 and another matched pair installed in DIMM connectors 3 and 4 (black securing clips)

NOTICE: Do not install ECC memory modules.

• If you install mixed pairs of DDR2 800-MHz (PC2-6400) and DDR2 533-MHz (PC2-4300) memory, the modules function at the speed of the slowest module installed.
• Be sure to install a single memory module in DIMM connector 1, the connector closest to the processor, before you install modules in the other connectors.

 

 

 

1

matched pair of memory modules in DIMM connectors 1 and 2 (white securing clips)

2

matched pair of memory modules in DIMM connectors 3 and 4 (black securing clips)

NOTICE: If you remove your original memory modules from the computer during a memory upgrade, keep them separate from any new modules that you may have, even if you purchased the new modules from Dell. If possible, do not pair an original memory module with a new memory module. Otherwise, your computer may not start properly. You should install your original memory modules in pairs either in DIMM connectors 1 and 2 or DIMM connectors 3 and 4. NOTE: Memory purchased from Dell is covered under your computer warranty.