Inspiron 1520 blinking capslock memory issue

Question

I've searched for awhile now and I've found that the blinking caps lock indicated an issue with the memory and suggested that I reseat it. Thing is I did and no change the screen was still black and the light blinked for around 30 seconds then powered down... I tried running the laptop without the ram and it worked(very slowly) but it still made it to windows. I just bought a new stick of ram(that I saw works with the 1520) and tried to install it, but it gave me the same results.

And no, my warranty has expired, so I can't ask dell directly any more on how to fix it.

If anyone can help it would be very helpful! Thanks.

ejn63 · Answer

Run the Dell diagnostics (F12 at powerup) - including the extended RAM and hard drive tests.

Netr0 · Answer

There is only 1 ram slot that is accessible from the outside and a 512 stick on the inside. If I take out the external one then turn on the laptop it runs normally but slow. I have tried a brand new ram piece that I bought from newegg and it just does the same thing.

Netr0 · Answer

Will it test the ram if the ram is not in the slot? That is the only way I can access the diagnostics

ejn63 · Answer

You can put the suspect module ( the one in the outer socket) in the inner one to test it. If it works there, then you've definitively pinned it down to a bad memory socket.

To access that slot you must remove the keyboard.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/en/sm/memory.htm#wp1180190

ejn63 · Answer

If what you're saying is that the system will power up and run with RAM in one slot but not the other, it's the slot that's faulty - you'll need to replace the system board to fix that problem.

Netr0 · Answer

Thanks enj ill try that in a minute

Netr0 · Answer

Thanks enj ill try that in a minute

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Inspiron 1520 blinking capslock memory issue

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