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18004
November 15th, 2002 14:00
Adding Memory to 4550
I purchased a Dimension 4550 2.4 ghz with 128MB of DDR 333 PC-2700 memory, with intention to add a separate 512MB DIMM (Dell would not sell build me a 512MB on one DIMM, they would occupy both memory slots with 2 256MB DIMMs).
After inserting the new 512MB DIMM from Crucial (certified for the Dell 4550) in the 2nd memory slot, machine would power up for a few seconds and then fail to boot.
System works fine with either the 128MB or the 512MB DIMM in the first memory slot and nothing in the second slot, but will not boot if there is a DIMM in the second slot.
Dell support told me that if you use both slots they must be identical size (i.e. two 128's, two 256's, or two 512's, but will not work with a 512 & 128). I can't believe this is true...or is it???
Any advice, or confirmation that I cannot have a 512 & 128 installed? After going through all the tests on the support site, it looks to me that the 2nd memory slot is bad.
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rickmktg
2 Intern
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11.9K Posts
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November 15th, 2002 14:00
buffbison
513 Posts
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November 15th, 2002 16:00
be sure that you have pc2700 333mhz memory for your system....both dell and crucial states that if you have the 4550 with 533fsb, you that need pc2700, not pc2100.....
and try to install that new memory module by itself, and switch the memory modules around in the two different memory banks....if the new memory still does not work, then i'd say its bad memory......do you get any yellow lights in the back when installing that new memory, and/or do you get any system beeps?
WCToday
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November 15th, 2002 17:00
Both the 128 and the 512 work in the first memory slot as long as nothing is in the 2nd slot. So both DIMM's have been demonstrated to work properly.
However, as soon as I fill both memory slots (128 + 512 or 512 + 128), I can power on the system and it starts to blink and beep, etc. for a few seconds, and then just dies with apparently only the fan operating.
fredha
1.1K Posts
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November 15th, 2002 19:00
Look on the back of your computer and check the diagnostic lights. Then look here:
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dim4550/advanced.htm#1118998
Also check all your connections to make sure you didn't disturb anything putting in the RAM.
Thereal-dbk4297
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3.4K Posts
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November 16th, 2002 13:00
Hi,
Too much juice?
The chip works by itself.
Mis Dos Centavos,
Darrell
Helping Dell talkers here since 1997
Memory upgrade information Find the - "How much can my system hold", and other memory information by using the Crucial RAM picker.
Message Edited by Thereal-dbk4297 on 11-16-2002 12:47 PM
Thereal-dbk4297
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November 16th, 2002 13:00
Hi,
Can you put the 128MB or the 512MB chip in the second slot with nothing in the first and get the system to boot?
If not the second slot is surely bad and Dell will have to replace the motherboard. Check to make sure that the part number from Crucial is CT269165 for the 512MB chip.It is possible that Crucial made a mistake and sent you a chip that is not compatable with your currect memory, or the chip you got is bad and was missed at QC.
Mis Dos Centavos,
Darrell
Helping Dell talkers here since 1997
Memory upgrade information Find the - "How much can my system hold", and other memory information by using the Crucial RAM picker.
Thereal-dbk4297
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November 16th, 2002 17:00
Hi again,
And Crucial sells these on a regular basis if you order through the RAM picker?
I really think your way off base with this advice, lets see what the poster finds out. OK?
Mis Dos Centavos,
Darrell
Helping Dell talkers here since 1997
Memory upgrade information Find the - "How much can my system hold", and other memory information by using the Crucial RAM picker.
rickmktg
2 Intern
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11.9K Posts
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November 16th, 2002 17:00
Some sticks draw more current and therefore the PC doesn't boot. Crucial had this problem with some memory sticks on Dell laptops last year - the graphics board pulled so much juice that they had to come out with different sticks of memory to be able to run the laptop fully loaded. Using a lower powered graphics card didn't cause an issue. That's why I suggested the call to Crucial's Tech Department.
Message Edited by rickmktg on 11-16-2002 02:31 PM
rickmktg
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11.9K Posts
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November 16th, 2002 18:00
Thanks for the offbase comment. Very helpful to the situation.
Here's a link to the problem that I described: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_upgrade&message.id=7956&highlight=8000+crucial+problem#M7956 I know you don't spend much time on the laptop forums, and it was last year, probably why you didn't know about it.
And yes, it was via RAM picked through the configurator. That's why I said he should contact Crucial's Tech support asap.
Thereal-dbk4297
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November 16th, 2002 18:00
Hi again,
Sorry for that comment.
Yes I do visit the laptop forums quite often, but since I don't like to answer questions that I don't have knowledge about I don't often post. And as for the problem you suggest, it was only in certian laptop models and Crucial changed to part number right away if I remember correctly.
I have never heard of any power draw problems with 'desktop' memory, and that's why I posted the, "To much juice?" comment. And since the 512MB chip works by itself I still think the problem is with the socket or mismatched memory part number.
I only want to help WCToday find the cause of their problem.
Mis Dos Centavos,
Darrell
Helping Dell talkers here since 1997
Memory upgrade information Find the - "How much can my system hold", and other memory information by using the Crucial RAM picker.