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Inspiron 5100 won't boot after RAM upgrade
Been through many steps already in attempt to fix this, still no luck. Here's the deal: My husband and I each have our own Inspiron 5100. He upgraded his RAM to 1GB (which is max capacity for the 5100, with 2x512 sticks) well over a year ago. Bought that RAM upgrade directly from Dell. He had already updated his BIOS to A32 and when he installed his new RAM, booted right up, no problem. I was still using just half that RAM and didn't worry about it, but recently decided I needed more. Even though I had not yet updated my BIOS (I was still using the Phoenix A02 original configuration), we tried intalling his 1GB of RAM in my laptop just to see if it would work (removed from his, put in mine) . Worked fine. So his new RAM worked in both his 5100 and mine, even though his BIOS had been updated to A32 and mine was still the original A02. Seemed odd, but ... OK.
So we put his RAM back in his laptop and recently bought (again, directly from Dell) new RAM to upgrade my 5100 to 1GB also. After many efforts at troubleshooting without success, here's what we figured out: His 1GB of RAM (bought from Dell over a year ago) works in BOTH his laptop and mine, even though my BIOS had not been upgraded yet. The RAM upgrade we got directly from Dell this week does not work in EITHER his or my laptop. (No boot -- the lights blink, fan starts, but laptop shuts down after a few seconds.) Meanwhile, we upgraded my BIOS (Dell says you have to upgrade BIOS for the RAM upgrade to work). Had to do so in 2 steps, flashed BIOS from A02 to A22 using a floppy, then from A22 to A32. Everything went as we were told it would. So now my laptop should be able to recognize and use the RAM upgrade -- right? But it doesn't.
Shouldn't be an issue of whether we have the right brand or type of RAM -- this is exactly what Dell specifies and provides for the 5100 upgrade. Shouldn't be an issue of overall functionality of my laptop. I'm using it right now to write this post -- with my 2x256MB sticks of RAM in it. BIOS is now upgraded to A32. Shouldn't be an issue of defective RAM -- how can that be??
Any ideas?? Many thanks.
kirkd
5.2K Posts
0
January 30th, 2010 16:00
Is the new RAM the same as the original new RAM? Perhaps they sent the wrong model. Check the part numbers. If it has a third party name (Crucial, etc., not Dell), go to that manufacturers web site and see if the RAM is supposed to be compatible with the 5100. Some, :cheaper", generic RAM may not work, even if it is supposed to; Dells seem more sensitive to RAM quality.
If the new RAM didn't work in either unit,and it is the correct model, then it is bad. Call Dell for a replacement.
ncpa
8 Posts
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February 5th, 2010 16:00
I too just bought two new 512 sticks from Dell, upgraded BIOS as she also did. Getting the same thing. Two blinking lights and powers off after a few seconds. Does anyone know if issue has a resolution before I take the time to call? Any help would be appreciated..
dallascowboyswo
2.4K Posts
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February 6th, 2010 02:00
The issue is one of three thing. Either you are not seating the new RAM correctly. The RAM is not compatible or the RAM is defective. If your BIOS is A32 you shoud be able to use PC2700 RAM if your bios is before A22 then you will require PC2100 RAM. Buy from crucial where they garauntee their memory to work. By the way you can upgrade to 2 GB (2x1GB). I have a 5100 running 2GB of GSLKILL RAM purchases from www.newegg.com with BIOS A32.
Dr.Love38
28 Posts
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February 6th, 2010 13:00
Hey Dallas did you try the new ram one stick at a time or with one of your 256 cards in ? The 512 would need to be in slot a . My 1100 is working now on one PC2700 DELL stick out of a pair that I ordered from DELL that would not load together with one of my original PC2100 128 sticks. Either one will work with or without one of my original sticks.The Newegg sticks acted exactly the same way.The sticks from Edge wil not work at all. All of these are sticks that the system scans recommended.
I am at A32 bios and XPSP3 and my lapper works fine but I can't get it to that one G ram yet some 1100s upgrade with no problem. After reading some of these posts I think the 5100 may act the same.
Good luck and HOW BOUT THEM BOYS ?
dallascowboyswo
2.4K Posts
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February 6th, 2010 17:00
I have no issue getting two modules to work.
Will have to wait til next year on the BOYS!
ncpa
8 Posts
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February 7th, 2010 17:00
Thanks for the advice. Just got off the phone with Dell. The memory that was shipped to me was incompatible with my laptop. They are shipping me new ones, hope they work. Will update board when I find out.
ncpa
8 Posts
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February 7th, 2010 17:00
Still havent been able to get them to work. Tried one of my old sticks with one of the new. Same think two blinking lights and then powers right down. Had also tried memory from crucial. Just sent it back last week, did the same thing. Thought ordering directly from Dell and paying more would help. Guess not, thats pretty bad they cant even sell memory for their own computers that will work. It was the only option when I purchased it and their website selected it based on my system and service tag. Guess I will put this on Craigs list and use the money to buy something new. Tired of dealing with it. Thanks for all the suggestions.
dallascowboyswo
2.4K Posts
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February 7th, 2010 17:00
Try removing the battery. Unplug the a/c adapter. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds. Then connect the a/c adapter only and then power it up.
ncpa
8 Posts
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February 22nd, 2010 17:00
The new memory they sent me worked just fine. Even though Dell shipped it, it has a Kingston label on it. Should have got it from Kingston myself, would have probably been cheaper. Oh well, live and learn.
dallascowboyswo
2.4K Posts
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February 22nd, 2010 18:00
I am glad you got it all sorted out. Thanks for reposting the results.
Jiminator160
10 Posts
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March 4th, 2010 14:00
Arrghh! This is like reading a novel all the way through only to find that somebody has torn out the last page! I found this thread through a Google search detailing my problem. I am having EXACTLY the same issues, on EXACTLY the same computer, with exactly the same results,and I went through exactly the same process of updating the BIOS so my 5100 could handle the RAM upgrade. My computer blinks twice and shuts off with the new memory in it. But it works fine with the old RAM in it. So I'm reading ncpa's last post about the new RAM with the Kingston label on it and how she FINALLY got it to work!!! I am SO STOKED!!!! OMG here it IS, finally I have found the answer!!!! and ..........pfftttt. No other specs. Hey ncpa? If you don't mind, can you tell us exactly what you got? I mean, besides Kingston memory sticks, that is? Please?
ncpa
8 Posts
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March 6th, 2010 05:00
Sorry about that, here it is for anyone that may need it. Hope it works for you too, mine has been working great. I'm going to list everything on the label. In bold letters it has KTT3614/512 then under that it has 512MB Memory Module. Equiv. TOSHIBA(R) P/N: KTT3614/512 PMS VR0401M and 9905064-010.A00LF I think the issue was with the mhz. The first two sets I got were 333, I think these are 266. If you need more info off the module itself let me know. It comes from PA so hopefully there wont be anymore snow storms, mine got delayed twice because of weather. But well worth the wait!
ncpa
8 Posts
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March 6th, 2010 06:00
yeah that was my thinking too, but I guess with our old blue's that just isn't the case. Here is the line item description from my email confirmation from Dell. See if it matches what they sent you. 512 MB - 266MHz - SO DIMM 200-pin - 512MB DDR SODIMM Upgrade For Satellite A20-S430
Jiminator160
10 Posts
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March 6th, 2010 06:00
Hmmm.......as I sit here and think about this, I wonder why that 333mhz RAM didn't work for you. It is my understanding that RAM is supposed to be backwards compatible is this regard, i.e. you can put a faster RAM in and it shouldn't matter, it should work just fine. But when I Google the number on the memory that you got, it is indeed a slower 266mhz PC2100 RAM like you said. It SHOULDN'T make a difference, but it did for you. Now I am concerned about the RAM I'm currently having express 2-day shipped ($21.99 shipping fees, thank you Dell ) It says on the Dell site that I ordered 333MHZ, PC2700, not the 266MHZ PC2100 that worked for you. I wonder if it will work for me or will I be shipping it back to Dell. I've already had to take back some 333MHZ, PC2700 RAM to Fry's because it didn't work in my 5100.
I'll let you know.
Jim
ncpa
8 Posts
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March 6th, 2010 06:00
Here is the item number from my first Dell order. A0731225 Hate to tell you this but when you order via the website it gives you the wrong memory. I had to call after my first order from the Dell Website did the same thing as the other memory I had ordered and shipped back from another site. The rep put me on hold forever but said he finally found the right stuff, which is what I posted earlier. Good thing is they refunded me every penny from the first order but bad thing was they had to bill me for the new memory and I had to wait for a refund on the first set. I did get the refund pretty quick though. Sorry for the bad news, but I hope it helps.
Linda