Dell Inspiron B130 Memory Quirks

Question

Greetings to my new friends on this forum. I have 3 Dell B130s. I purchased via eBay 2 SODIMMs (PC2-4200 IGB) and what I received were 2 PC2-5300 1GB DDR2-667).

I have the latest BIOS flashed on all 3 systems. On each system, I can put ONE of the two modules for a 1GB Memory total. System boots and reports memory size change. BIOS reads 1GB as well as XP SP2. All is fine with either SODIMM in eith slot A or B. The fun begins when I put BOTH SODIMMS for 2GB total. BIOS reports a memory size change, states their is 2GB and XP boots. XP reports 2GB. Within 4 -5 minutes, EVERY TIME and EVERY SYSTEM, the display will change colors, and/or system freezes. I can't use the 2 1GB SODIMMs together. Specs from Dell, Crucial, Kingston say you should but they all state you should use the PC4200 memory. I know the high end memory should be backwards compatible but I am at a loss and need this to work yesterday. Any opinios, comments, tasks I should perform? Has anyone seen this before?

Thanks,

Dookelius

DELL-Donald K · Answer

It appears that when in the Dual Channel mode you are having the problem. I believe it is a case of having the wrong RAM.

The 667 ram may be backwards compatible but the CLK Speed may also be different & those differences in Dual Channel mode may be the root of the problem.

I got this from the Crucial configurator:

Module Size: 1GB
Package: 200-pin SODIMM
Feature: DDR2 PC2-4200
Specs: DDR2 PC2-4200 • CL=4 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR2-533 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 64

Module Size: 1GB
Package: 200-pin SODIMM
Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300
Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 64
I'd see if you couldn't get PC2-4200 from Crucial & see if the problems go away.

dgkpcon · Answer

I have a B130 with 2gb of 667 kingston had for a year and no problems.Your memory might be bad

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Dell Inspiron B130 Memory Quirks

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