Studio XPS 16 (1640) memory upgrade issue

Question

I'm trying to upgrade my XPS 1640 (Intel Duo P7450) from 4GB to 8GB, since 4GB just isn't enough anymore, even for basic stuff.
I have read in multiple sites that in general it's possible to use 8GB with this model.

I tried two different kinds of memory modules already, none worked.
First try: Crucial SO-DIMM 4 GB DDR3-1600 (CT51264BC160B)

I heard only single ranked memory might work here, so my second try was:
Kingston KVR16S11S8/4BK 4GB, 1600MHz DDR3
But the same result.

While starting my Windows 2007 the laptop immediately restarts. (It shows the "starting windows 2007..." text, but then aborts.) Sometimes with a bluescreen, sometimes without. Also starting safe mode fails. Strangely Bios only detects 4349MB RAM.
Using one 4GB module at a time only leads to the same error. (BIOS recognizes only 2173MB)
Sometimes also the "volume down blinking error" happened. Which error occurs seems to be random.

The RAM itself seems to be fine, I run the windows 2007 memory check tool without problems.

Previous threads suggest this product:
www.amazon.com/.../ref=sr_1_1;ie=UTF8&qid=1347506923&sr=1-1&keywords=PNY+MN8192KD3-1066

Since amazon.com doesn't ship this memory to my country and at the european amazons this product is way more expensive (twice the US-price), is there an alternative module which would definitely work with the given model?

I didn't expect this to become such a task. Since it also takes some time to order the memory and send it back again and to discuss with the online shops, I don't want go with try and error anymore, but decided to ask here..

I hope you guys can help me :-)

Thank you in advance!

Dell-MohanG · Accepted Answer

Hi baer_1,

Thank you for reaching out to us here, as per the Dell system you have, it supports DDR3 1066 MHz SODIMMs memory modules only, and it also depends on the operating system you are running on your computer, as 32-bit operating systems support a maximum of 4Gb of memory and the remaining will not be recognized by the operating system. Hope this answers your query.

robert p · Answer

Hi Baer_1, Thanks for your post on the Dell Community.  Here is some helpful information:

baer_1 · Answer

Hi, Robert!Thank you for the quick reply!!I'm running a Windows 7 64bit, so the OS should be fine.So 1333/1600MHz don't work with my model of the XPS16 series at all?! It would have been nice. But it's okay if it doesn't work, since the speed isn't the problem, but the constant memory overload :-DI read in en.community.dell.com/.../19385237'Faster Ram is rarely and issue but too slow ram is always an issue.', so I unknowingly assumed 1600MHz will be fine, but you are right, I should try with 2x4GB 1066MHz!Can you confirm that it's better to try with single rank? (Actually I can't find 1066MHz DDR3 SO DIMM single rank memory, so I'll try it with dual rank..)Thanks a lot, I'll post the result when I got the memory. (so in about a week or two)Stil an answer about single/dual rank would be highly appreciated ;-) Best regards.

baer_1 · Answer

Thanks again both of you!! I tried it with 1066MHz modules and it works now :-)

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Studio XPS 16 (1640) memory upgrade issue

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