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1 Rookie
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38 Posts
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103224
December 30th, 2009 10:00
Inspiron 1501 and Win 7
Hello all... New guy here. I'm pretty savvy with computers but have a question about upgrading my Inspiron 1501 laptop currently running XP Home 32 bit to Win 7 32 bit. Ran the Win 7 compatibility tool from MS and only significant questionable item was the amount of RAM. Win 7 needs a minimum of 2GB and although I do have 2GB installed, only 1.9GB is detected (probably some allocated to video), so its flagged.The report says RAM upgrade may be "Possible"??? There are a couple of other items, but I can deal with those. Dell site Win 7 compatibility chart does not list the 1501.
Now the the meat of my question. SIW (System Information for Windows utility) says max RAM is 4GB. Crucial site says Max is 2GB. I've had erroneous info about RAM from SIW in the past, so I'm wary of it.I've also has erroneous info about max RAM and even type of RAM from the Crucial scanner, so I'm also wary of that. I do NOT want to even consider running Win 7 with the minimum RAM. Sure would like to find out the actual max RAM for my machine. Anyone got any info or reference site that may be of any help?
BTW... Checked my owners manual and no info about max RAM there.
Off subject, but I just noticed there is no blinking cursor in this narrative???? Everything seems to work OK, just difficult to navigate around the text when needed and I find it pretty odd. The cursor is present when I'm hovering the mouse over text, but goes away when I click. That has never happened on any other site and I frequent a number if tech forums. Anyone else have this?
Thanks in advance for any help... Raybro
Thereal-dbk4297
3 Apprentice
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3.4K Posts
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December 30th, 2009 10:00
Hello,
Here are your specs showing a maximum memory of 2GB.
And, you may want to look at the Windows 7 install page at my web site before your upgrade.
Darrel112
2 Intern
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278 Posts
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January 1st, 2010 15:00
I have Windows 7 32 bit running on my 1501 with 2 gigs of RAM, and everything works fine. 2 gigs is the maximum for the 1501. However there have been a few that reported using 2, 2 gig sticks for a total of 4 gigs did actually work in the 1501. I have not tried it myself. Even if it did you would need the 64 bit Windows and finding drivers for it may be difficult, because Dell does not offer any.
ghw7192
6 Posts
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February 4th, 2011 19:00
I have a couple of 1501's I inherited from my kids when they graduated from college. Both have AMD 64 TL-58/1.8 Ghz dual core processors and came with 2GB of RAM. I'm keeping one machine and have already replaced one of the 1GB memory module with a Corsair 2GB module. In spite of what Dell and Crucial say, the machine is recognizing 3GB--the maximum 32 bit OS's will recognize. The Win 7 compatability tool says that the machine is good to go with that combination. Oh, apparently 4GB is the max the motherboard will support.
I've ordered Win 7/64 bit and a WD Scorpio Black 500GB/7200rpm as the next phase of this upgrade and then add another Corsair 2GB module. From what I've read, installing the drivers and updating the BIOS can sometimes create "opportunities", but the hardware should work ok.
Now, if I can just find an affordable Turion X2 TL-68/2.4 Ghz processor...
I hope this helps.
Gary
rodserling
4 Posts
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February 23rd, 2015 13:00
yes I realize the post is old but for future reference I don't believe I have EVER come across a computer of any kind that came from the factory with the max amount of RAM installed. In fact, it's almost always half. So, if it came with 2 GB of RAM, it almost certainly will max out at 4 GB. In future just type model number e.g. Inspiron 1501 and you will most certainly tell you the max amount of memory it will hol