Memory Issue

Question

I have an inspiron 5100, had it for about a year. No big problems until recently. One day it just won't power on. So I reset the bios, and it comes on with only one of my two sticks of ram showing up. Reboot it a bunch, the 2nd one shows up 10% of the time.. So I take out the memory.

Memory stick 1 in slot 1 works fine.
Memory stick 1 in slot 2 works fine.
Memory stick 2 in slot 1 works fine.
Memory stick 2 in slow 2 works fine.

I don't know if my laptop is hosed, or just the ram chips aren't getting along. I am hesitant to buy new ram if it won't fix the problem...

NemesisDB · Answer

the newest bios might also help if you're trying to run 333 in it

johnallg · Answer

If it is still doing this after reseating the modules, run it with just one module, then the other, to try and narrow it down to the faulty module - you could also run the Dell Diagnostics ram tests and see which one fails.

TunaBoo · Answer

Also, both sticks of memory are the exact same speed/cas/ras/size and worked perfectly together for over a year.

TunaBoo · Answer

I HAVE the newest bios.

It runs perfectly with either one in by itself. The only problem is when I try to put both in at once.

It passes the dell memory test and memory tests in general just fine (assuming only 1 is in. if the second is in, it is not seen by the system).

tom523 · Answer

I've been having the same problem too  and it started after about a year (soon as the warranty  expired!). It has to do with the contacts on the memory modules and/or the sockets. I put some foam material over the modules so that when I screw the memory door back on it makes a tight fit. Then it works fine for a while until it comes loose again and I have to re-seat it. It seems like a lot of people are having this problem here.

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Memory Issue

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