inspiron 5100 memory problem, only reading half the memory.

Question

i have an inspiron 5100 with (2) 256 mb chips. recently, i did a clean re-install of windows xp on the system. everything seems to work well, but now the system control panel only lists the computer as 256mb instead of 512. i have checked and rechecked the memory cards, making sure they were firmly in place, and i still only get 256. did i forget to install something to read both memory slots? i did a bare-bones install, only installing what i needed...is this something i could have overlooked? could a chip or slot have become overheated? i'm thinking of upgrading to (2) 512mb chips, but i want to make sure both sides read before i do.

any help is much appreciated.

ejn63 · Answer

Run the Dell diagnostics. If a module fails, move it to the other slot and rerun until you pin down the problem to a faulty module or a faulty memory socket.

pixelsonfire · Answer

okay. so after running the dell diagnostics i found out i have a bad memory slot. how difficult/expensive would it be to replace this? i'm wondering if it would be cheaper to fix the memory slot, or buy a 512 memory chip for the remaining slot right now?

crashovrride · Answer

It would be cheaper to buy the 512mb stick. If you wanted that other slot back you'd probably end up having to buy a new motherboard.

ejn63 · Answer

Indeed, the cost of a board is about $500; a 512M module is much less expensive.

pixelsonfire · Answer

oh, that stinks. do they make memory modules bigger than 512mb? i bought the laptop with the hope of upgrading to 1024mb. now i have to upgrade, just to get my laptop to what it originally was supposed to be.

blech.

crashovrride · Answer

You can get a 1gig chip and swap it out for the 512mb chip. The max the 5100s can hold is 1gb.

pixelsonfire · Answer

i bought a 512MB module to replace the one good side. however, after installing the module the system is still only listing the computer as having 256MB of physical memory. what is causing this? the 512MB module is the only one in. i took out the 2 256MB modules.

please help! i still have 10 days to return the new 512MB module...but i'm unsure of what to do to get this to work.

HALF MEMORY 510 · Answer

hi I am also facing same problem. I have 256 MB RAM,when in started my computer it showed a message that i have only 128 MB and do u need to continue. I am alomost using my laptop from 2 years.Can any one help me how to get bacvk my 256 MB RAM.   Thanks!

ycortes · Answer

I have replaced the two memory modules for 2 x 512mb and now I can not get into the bios to bootup by cd-rom. Should I replace the modules and replace the old ones. When I upgraded the laptop and i went into My Computer properties it did register both rams. I started to have a problem going to the bios after reformating my drive.

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inspiron 5100 memory problem, only reading half the memory.

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