Problem adding Ram in Dell 4100

Try switching the memory around to different banks, see if that works.  It could be that the memory is either bad, or not compatible with your system.  Whos is the manufactorer of the memory, and where did you purchase it? 

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@Nhclass wrote:

I have a dell 4100 P3 1ghz.  Currently with (2) 128 PC133 CL3 SDRAM.  I just bought a new stick of ram which is a (1) 256 PC 133 CL3 stick. When i took out one of the 128's to add the 256.... making a total of 384, then computer boots up, and goes to the Windows XP Splash Screen, but right after that, the computer restarts.  I restarted and looked in the BIOS to see if the ram is recognized, and it is, it says 384 Ram.  But it restarts after the XP Splash screen.  Whats causing this? i also tried the new 256 stick by itself, and that doesnt work either.

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Hi,

It sounds as if you bought the wrong memory for your system.
Dell systems need very specific memory in order to work correctly. If the memory you bought was not listed as being for your specifc system model I suggest you return it and get the correct memory.
You can find general memory information and the Crucial RAM picker here. Crucial sells the very same memory that Dell installs and sells but at lower prices. Free shipping and a lifetime warranty are included. But wherever you buy just make sure the chips are listed as being for your Dell 4100.

Mis Dos Centavos,
Darrell
Helping Dell talkers here since 1997
Memory upgrade information Find the -
"How much can my system hold"
"What kind is it", and other memory information.

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@Nhclass wrote:

what could be different about it?  everything written on the new stick is the same on the other 2 that work.  ?

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Hi again,

The part numbers are the same as your present chips?
Just return the memory for a new stick. It's obvious the chip is bad if you have the correct part number. Even a free chip should work, and they should replace it.

Mis Dos Centavos,
Darrell
Helping Dell talkers here since 1997
Memory upgrade information Find the -
"How much can my system hold"
"What kind is it", and other memory information.

what could be different about it?  everything written on the new stick is the same on the other 2 that work.  ?

thanks

No biggie anyway.... i got the ram at Fry's yesterdsay... It was buy a Maxtor 80 GB HD and get a free stick of 256 PC133 Ram, so i didnt pay for it.  The HD was a great deal....  $49.99 After Rebates. So even if the ram doesnt work, i still got way more than i had to pay.

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@Nhclass wrote:
how can i tell if a stick of ram is ECC or Non-ECC?  My other 2 old sticks i have in there are both Non.  Would this make a difference?

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Hi again,

Count the chips on one side of the memory. An odd number means you have ECC, an even number of course means non-ECC. There have been reports here of newer systems like your 4100 having problems with wixing ECC and non-ECC.

Mis Dos Centavos,
Darrell
Helping Dell talkers here since 1997
Memory upgrade information Find the -
"How much can my system hold"
"What kind is it", and other memory information.

how can i tell if a stick of ram is ECC or Non-ECC?  My other 2 old sticks i have in there are both Non.  Would this make a difference?

I just bought a 128 RAM from Dell for my 4100 and installed it with no problems.

I may have paid more but the compatibility assurances from Dell had me buying from them.  RAM is cheap anyway.

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@tidcat wrote:

I just bought a 128 RAM from Dell for my 4100 and installed it with no problems.

I may have paid more but the compatibility assurances from Dell had me buying from them.  RAM is cheap anyway.

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Hi,

It's good to hear you had a successful memory upgrade. We hear of so few here.
Dell does for the most part offer compatibility for memory, their prices are quite high compared to name brand memory that is also listed system specific. PNY, Kingston, Samsung, and Crucial all pretty much beat Dells prices. And among these top makes Crucial has the lowest prices. Dell buys from them, then adds on a percentage to sell the memory to you. If you use the Crucial RAM picker at my site, it will point you to the exact memory for your system. Cut out the middle man and save a few bucks for the exact same memory.
If your system uses RDRAM you might want to look at the RDRAM information page.

Mis Dos Centavos,
Darrell
Helping Dell talkers here since 1997
Memory upgrade information Find the -
"How much can my system hold"
"What kind is it", and other memory information.