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February 26th, 2005 21:00
5100 Memory Upgrade Problem
I'm trying to upgrade the RAM in an Inspirion 5100 nad it's not working. The memory module I'm trrying to add is a PNY PC2700 SODIMM, part number N512D27OPT. The PNY memory configurator recomends it for this laptop. However, if I install it, the machine will not boot. I first tried it with BIOS version A06, and durring POST it beep threee times and then once again, and the Nuumlock & Scrolllock LED's flashed. No video was ever displayed. I upgraded the BIOS to the latest available on the website, and it no longer beeps, but the LEDs still flash and the system never boots.
Anyone else had this problem or have any suggestions?
Thank You!
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NemesisDB
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February 27th, 2005 15:00
Leo_s84
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March 2nd, 2005 14:00
Message Edited by Leo_s84 on 03-02-2005 12:45 PM
NemesisDB
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March 4th, 2005 05:00
Gamblor, I agree, although if I bought locally I would recommend taking it to the store rather than RMAing it with PNY.
And given the prices, you can guess than PNY ram isn't super-high quality. Then again, I buy kingston-value, so you can see how much that bothers me. The nice thing about it though is that the cheap generic stuff is backed up by a non-generic company, that will hopefully be around for a while and who will be helpful if you have problems.
Gamblor
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March 4th, 2005 05:00
From what I found out in the Dell forums and a few other places, PNY is basically a reseller of generic laptop RAM ie. their product is no different than the cheap memory you can buy at Office Depot or any other electronics/computer shops.
So while their online configurator tells you that that is the right memory for an Inspiron 5100, it basically recommends that particular type of memory for any and every laptop model you punch in. And since the Inspiron is a finicky beast...
Unfortunately, the option that worked for me was to return the memory module to Tigerdirect.com and buy a stick of Crucial memory online. I've heard that Corsair is also very compatible.
As for the return, you'll likely have to play phone tag with PNY for several weeks to get a case number, which is basically a number the company gives you when you say that the memory you received is defective.
While the module isn't technically defective (at least not likely), since the company states that it WILL work in an Inspiron 5100, and you own an Inspiron 5100, and it doesn't work, you basically catch them in a loophole. It has to be defective, right? Because otherwise it will work.
Hope that long winded response helps.