Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
2 Posts
0
21717
Inspiron 5100 won't boot with new RAM
I'm trying to upgrade some DELL Inspiron 5100 laptops. We purchased some Ultra 512MB PC2700 DDR 333MHz SODIMM Memory. When we put the new memory in, none of the laptops will boot. They would flash the numlock and capslock lights and power down after a few seconds. They don't even appear to go into BIOS. I put in the OLD RAM and the Laptops will boot just fine. I tried booting with just one of the new sticks in and I got the same result. Then, tried putting in some Kingston 512MB PC2100 DDR 266MHz SODIMM Memory. Same result. Old Memory is 256MB PC2100 DDR 266MHz SODIMM Memory. By all account the new RAM should be compatible. Also, I upgraded the BIOS to version A32 and still no go.
Mary G
4 Operator
4 Operator
•
20.1K Posts
0
April 29th, 2009 13:00
Dell computers can be very fussy about memory. Sounds like the chips you got are incompatible. Try Crucial instead.
csmith3274
2 Posts
0
May 8th, 2009 11:00
I appreciate the response. Problem has been solved. I sent back both the Ultra and the Kingston and ordered the "DELL" RAM. Put the RAM in and it worked right away. Third time is a charm, I guess. Still, it bothers me that you can pretty much only upgrade Dell Laptops with Dell parts.
redXIII
13 Posts
0
December 4th, 2009 22:00
i have the same problem with my 5100 with BIOS A32. i purchased this RAM,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820172117
and the system doesn't boot.
why?
i now have to pay a $7.50 restocking fee + another $7.something for return shipping.
will this RAM work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820172106
?
thanks
fireberd
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
33.3K Posts
0
December 5th, 2009 04:00
Definately NOT the Kingston Valueram - we have many documented cases of this model ram not working in Dell's - both desktop and laptops. The Kingston RAM, in most cases, seems to be OK but the Valueram is definately a no no.
Because of the compatibility issues with Dell's (and again - both desktop and laptop) we (most of the techie's on here) only recommend Crucial for non-Dell memory as Crucial is guaranteed to work on Dell's. www.crucial.com
dallascowboyswo
2.4K Posts
0
December 6th, 2009 02:00
I have gotten 2GB Gskill RAM from newegg to work in my daughters 5100.
redXIII
13 Posts
0
December 7th, 2009 10:00
thanks people. while crucial is my #1 choice, newegg doesn't carry 512 MB PC2700 modules. the crucial store wants $40/module. so that is a bit pricey for this old laptop. kingston is my #2 choice, and i've never had a problem with it until now. well, i guess this is a problem with the laptop and not the RAM, actually. it would be good to know what is wrong with the kingston RAM which causes it to not work with this laptop, so one could pick out another module besides the crucial. something with the chip layout? the Mb of the chips or something?
i am happy to hear that the gskill will work, dallascowboysworldchamps, as it is one of the cheapest. thanks for your input. which item was it? is it N82E16820231141? that is the only other gskill pc2700 module besides the 512 MB. will the laptop still boot just one of those modules? i am thinking i will get one and leave the other slot empty for future upgrades, if needed.
redXIII
13 Posts
0
December 15th, 2009 00:00