There are 3 CPis, and they are different in many ways. The CPiD was the first model and used 256 max of EDO nonparity 3.3V 144 pin SODIMMS. This model used Pentium II or Celeron MMC-1 form CPUs of up to 400mhz (P2) or 466mhz(Celeron). No other RAM will work in this model and the BIOS must be updated to at least A06 to use more than 128mb. The CPiA was the second model and used SDRAM PC66 2x128mb Low Profile Modules, Pentium II or Celeron MMC-2 CPUs of up to 400mhz (P2) or 466mhz (Celeron).

  The third model CPiR used a completely different size motherboard and bigger LCD screen, but the same CPUs as the CPiA and originally the same RAM., but when PC100 SDRAM came out, this model would support 2x256mb(512mb) LOW Density Modules.

  Now, both the CPiA and CPiD had similar motherboards, but neither would support the other's RAM. Both had a unfortunate similarity; the motherboard was made in two pieces, joined in an overlap in the center with bar connectors and then placed in an aluminum frame. That does not stop these bar connectors from coming unseated and giving the symotoms you are getting. Another possible cause is from the CPU. The integral rectangular Circuit Board has screws in only 3 of the 4 corners, and the one without a screw is on the end with the connectors. It can lift and unseat and again give the same symtoms.

   There are the 3 most common causes of the symptoms you are getting. If you first remove the keyboard and then using an antistatic bag on your thumb, press down on the Top overlap of the two piece motherboard, you may fell it reseat. Then remove the cpu Cover/Heatsink and do the same thing to the CPU, then snug up the screws tight, Then reinstall the keyboard and tighten the most central keyboard screw very tight. See if it will boot now. If not, then start checking the RAM for correct type and non-DOA.

Thanks for all the good info.  I had gotten this laptop to work and thought it was a non-issue so I hadn't come back to this lately.  Now, however, I'd put more RAM in it and it stoppped working.

 

This is a CPi D266XT, which I presume is the "CPID" you're referring too.

 

I've tried several different types and sizes of RAM, and I'm pretty much certain the RAM with which is WAS working at some point.  Although there's an outside chance the ONE chip which worked with it is gone.  I had sold another CPi (probably D, it was a 233).

 

What's odd about this particular laptop is that it beeps even with the ram slots EMPTY.  My other C-Series which have come and gone, from a CPiA to a CPt to a C800, were silent when there was no RAM.  Is this particular to the CPiD, the beeping when the RAM is out?

 

Anyway, I will try to look at the chips.  Sadly, I'm not terribly familiar with the coding for type (is there a website out there where I could learn?) but this could be it.  The one thing I *DO* know is that all the ram chips I tried in there DID work in the CPiA, so I know the chips in themselves are OK.

 

I will need to check the overlap and CPU.  One thing about this laptop is that when I got it, several of the screws were missing.

 

Thanks!

 

The modules that worked in the CPiA  are SDRAM and are the wrong type for the CPiD. The CPiD must have EDO RAM 144pin Non Parity 3.3V. Nothing else will work

Hi, I was able to find some ram which meets the description, technically.  I'm wondering if you can tell me definitively if it should work - then at least I'd know that the ram is not the problem.

 

There are 2 chips, each are Kingston and say "KTM560/64" on the board, and the white stickers are different, one says "KTD-CP/64-CE and the other, "KTM760/X-CE".

 

From what I can tell in google searches they are EDO 3.3v.

 

Is there a compatability table to be sure?

 

Thanks

 

The KTD-CP/64-CE should be OK; the other one was made for an IBM TP-760 and probably will not work, as the 760 was made for PC66 SDRAM. Go to Ebay and enter "64mb EDO SODIMM" in search. Any that have Dell or IBM as compatible should work and any listed for a CPiD*** also. Avoid the ones listed as useable in a Toshiba laptop; those were made to use Parity/ECC 3.3V EDO RAM and that is not compatible. If the listing says Toshiba in addition to Dell and IBM as compatible brands, he doesn't know what he is talking about.

Thanks for the info.

 

Actually this is ram I was able to get from a friend and can trade for other things so at this point I'm more interested in knowing if it SHOULD work, since neither chip works.

 

Now, if this is evidence; the KTD-CP/64-CE *DID* let the CPi-A boot.  I didn't try before; but I did.  So is that evidence enough that it will NOT work in the CPi-D, based on your earlier post?  Or is there SOME EDO which can work in a CPi-A?

 

I just wish I had a comprehensive memory list showing what models WOULD work.  Just saying "EDO 3.3v" is obviously not enough, since both of those simms are listed as EDO 3.3v.  Don't know about parity.

 

 

Try... you mean to ask about compatability?

 

I'm actually somewhat dismayed this information isn't anywhere on the Dell website, at least in a KB.

 

It was vigorously discussed in this forum about 4 to 5 years ago when the CPiDs began to show up in the surplus market. I had my troubles with finding compatible Modules along with a number of other folks.  Dell even shipped me SDRAM modules for the one I had; those had to be returned. The link I posted has compatible EDO RAM Modules.

Actually I didn't see any listings of ram models at all at that ebay store.  Just selling ram they say is "edo" and "compatible with CPi-D" on the list.

 

I'm not looking to by any new ram for this; just looking to diagnose this system.  If, indeed, it works at all, I will eventually find used ram for a cheap price one place or another.  If I had to pay market rates for ram, I'd just sell the old CPiD and get a CPiA (which go cheaply, too, if you look hard enough)