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help installing memory for dimension 2400
Help please. Have recently purchased memory from centon for my 2400. Did some checks and should have been ok, but had some major issues. I installed every way and configuration possable but would not recognize the new memory, and would not even startup. Contacted Centon and they said to update bios and everything would be fine. Now the problem is I have a bios revision of A05, is there something else out there newer or something I am missing that I cannot install this memory? Also please note that this memory is stated as being backward compatible with my system. This is also PC3200. Thanks for your time. J.C.
- A few details would be useful:
1. What are the specs of the memory you installed?
2. How many did you install?
Did you make sure it was installed correctly? Sometimes people are afraid to push hard enough to get the modules fully inserted in the sockets. Also make sure you have the notches lined up correctly.
In general, up to 1G (2x512M) DDR PC3200 should work in your machine.
Peter
Peter345, This is the message I recieved. Upgrading with larger DIMMs can create a larger load on the memory
address lines of your PC. Newer BIOS revisions typically will address
timing issues for increased system stability. I recommend that you
update your BIOS to the latest available revision. Please contact your
computer (or motherboard) manufacturer's Tech Support site for the
proper update and procedure. [An incorrect, or improperly performed
BIOS update can render a system inoperable.]Please also make sure that
you have tried your Centon Memory module on other sockets. The memory in question is 512mb PC3200 DDR. States it is compatible with DDR400, DDR333, DDR266 desktops. The number installed was one to make sure it was going to work. Which it did not. Hopefully some suggestions came be made on this entry. Thanks J.C.- Basically, what they said is correct and sensible. However, I'd be surprised if a BIOS update solved the problem. The older the BIOS, the more likely an update will fix it.
If you tried each module in each socket and none of them worked, then you either have faulty RAM (not so likely because both don't work) or an incompatibility (most likely). If you don't want to attempt to update the BIOS to make sure it is not the incompatibility, I would just return the RAM and buy from a source that guarantees it will work (e.g. Crucial as I think Ty_ger suggested).
It is up to you to decide if you want to try the BIOS update or not. Personally, I'm not afraid of them. Just make sure you don't lose power during the update (about 1 minute) and reset the CMOS if you can't boot after.
Peter
The BIOS update recommendation is not necessary. Your machine is configured initially to use the recommended RAM speeds. With some expert grade computers you have BIOS control over speeds and timing. Yours has none of that.
How much RAM did you have and how much did you purchase. What is the exact part number of the new RAM? We can sometimes determine if the RAM is compatible from the part number.
Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP / Vista Home Premium, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 169.25), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP
Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA- Resetting the BIOS NVRAM can sometimes help resolve a memory problem. Removing the system, board battery for a few minutes and then reinstalling is the procedure. You should unplug the computer and then hold in the power button for 10 seconds or so to bleed off charge from the system board before you do this. You should also bleed off charge before making any memory changes.
Does the original RAM still work in the computer? If you install only the new RAM, does it work?
Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP / Vista Home Premium, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 169.25), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP
Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA - KirkD, The amount of ram was 256, the amount purchased was 512, part# is 512MBPC3200 hope this helps. I have readsomewhere on this forum about reseting the bios setup defaults would this possibly resolve the situation or create more problems? Thanks for the help. J.C.
- Been gone for a little while have not had the chance to try resetting, will try tomorrow. To answer the question though, I tried adding the new with the old and it did not work. Have also tried different slots, and just using the new neither worked. Put the old one back in and it boots up and runs, if that helps. Thanks J.C.
The new RAM appears to be bad. Return it and try some from Crucial or some other quality supplier.
Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP / Vista Home Premium, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 169.25), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP
Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA
ty_ger
812 Posts
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Posted March 8th, 2008 04:00
A05 is most current BIOS available for your system. On top of that, the BIOS revision number should have nothing to do with memory compatibility. That is just ridiculous.... If you had to update your BIOS for every brand of memory out there it would be mayhem.
Politely tell Centon that you do have the most current BIOS revision available and their memory is faulty. Return the memory to them and get your money back.
Once that has been settled, buy your memory from crucial.com for a guaranteed outcome and a smooth installation.
http://crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Dimension%202400%20Series