Typical memory errors on the 9300 will give a 0-1-1 failure code. If all memory fails the LCD will not turn on. The system should support two DDR2 one gyg memory dims. It may not support faster memory. I would suggest returning only one of the original memory dimms and then starting up the system. If it still won’t turn on, try the same memory module on the second memory slot. If the memory stick fails both slots test with the second original memory module. If both fail try the new memory, only one stick at a time.
If you continue to have problems, I suggest disconnecting any external devices, remove the hard drive, optical drive, and battery, modem and wireless cards from the system and try again. If you do get the system started replaced each of the removed devices one at a time and check the system after installing each new device.
If nothing works you will likely need to look at replacing the system board.
I followed your suggestion in taking the chips out and putting the originals back in, but doing only one first. That did the trick right away and allowed the computer to start up. I had to press the F1 key to okay a change in memory.
Then I add the second old 256K chip and it started again - don't understand why it didn't before when I put the old chips back in when the 2x1GB chips didn't work.
Then I took those out and put in just one 1GB chip in - again, voila, it worked.
Then I added the second 1GB chip and again we have liftoff!
So, what happened? Did putting both 1GB chips in at the same time temporarily short-circuit the system?
Why didn't it work when I put the original two 256K chips back in?
Well, I thank you once again and look forward to learning more about what happened in this situation. One thing for sure, it was the first "repair" I've ever done on this or any laptop, and this baby is about 6-7 years old at least (it might even be 9 years old as I keep thinking I bought this around 2003, but I could be wrong). It's given me a boost of courage to perhaps tackle another repair I might do, which is replace the screen. I'm getting a couple vertical lines and I attached it to a regular monitor and the lines didn't show up there. So, I'm thinking screen and not video card, but that's a whole other story. I want to finish learning about what happened here!
That is awesome news that the replacement memory works. I don't always try just one new device at a time, but I have had enough issues while upgrading systems in the past to know it is better being a little cautious.
Thanks for the update and please let me know if you decide on the LCD replacement and how it goes.
Do you have any idea as to why it didn't work to begin with and why putting the original two chips back in didn't work either?
My curiosity is peaked!
I'll definitely make it known when I get to my screen issue. I have to check the prices of screens and someone mentioned that the vertical lines could be something other than the video card or screen, which I didn't quite understand, so I have to investigate a bit before spending the money.
Anyway, let me know if you have any further thoughts on the chip mystery!
Sorry for the delay in answering back - been one of the flu victims.
I got mine at Best Buy and they were by PNY. The DDR2 PC2-5300, which I assume are 533MHz although it doesn't say anything else on the packaging. Sorry I can't offer more as I'm not very tech savvy. I can tell you that my world order has almost been restored since putting these chips in. My system seems to operate at normal speed and I've had no hang-ups or screen crashes. Really got scared when they didn't work at first, but our forum leader "Mr. Wizard" knew exactly how to talk me through replacing the old chips again in particular order. Worked like a charm! I would say to you that if you get your system up and running at first with your new chips, but get programs that either won't run or won't run properly then it could be the chip speed, but again, coming from me is like my telling a NASA rocket scientist how to do an oil change on a space shuttle.
My next "venture" will be to replace my screen if I can find out which is the right model for my Dell Inspiron 9300. I've been getting vertical lines appearing (4 now) and I don't think it's the video card as I plugged the monitor from my desktop into my laptop and the vertical lines don't appear on the monitor - only my laptop screen.
I hope everything works well for you with the faster chips and I'd like to know if that is the case. I'm not sure how much of a difference that would make for me since everything seems to be moving fine now.
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
1
September 26th, 2012 15:00
Typical memory errors on the 9300 will give a 0-1-1 failure code. If all memory fails the LCD will not turn on. The system should support two DDR2 one gyg memory dims. It may not support faster memory. I would suggest returning only one of the original memory dimms and then starting up the system. If it still won’t turn on, try the same memory module on the second memory slot. If the memory stick fails both slots test with the second original memory module. If both fail try the new memory, only one stick at a time.
If you continue to have problems, I suggest disconnecting any external devices, remove the hard drive, optical drive, and battery, modem and wireless cards from the system and try again. If you do get the system started replaced each of the removed devices one at a time and check the system after installing each new device.
If nothing works you will likely need to look at replacing the system board.
Please let me what you find out.
TB
Art.LeVine
9 Posts
0
September 26th, 2012 19:00
Hi Terry,
First off, thanks so much for answering so fast!
Second, you're brilliant!
Third, I'm more confused now than before.
I followed your suggestion in taking the chips out and putting the originals back in, but doing only one first. That did the trick right away and allowed the computer to start up. I had to press the F1 key to okay a change in memory.
Then I add the second old 256K chip and it started again - don't understand why it didn't before when I put the old chips back in when the 2x1GB chips didn't work.
Then I took those out and put in just one 1GB chip in - again, voila, it worked.
Then I added the second 1GB chip and again we have liftoff!
So, what happened? Did putting both 1GB chips in at the same time temporarily short-circuit the system?
Why didn't it work when I put the original two 256K chips back in?
Well, I thank you once again and look forward to learning more about what happened in this situation. One thing for sure, it was the first "repair" I've ever done on this or any laptop, and this baby is about 6-7 years old at least (it might even be 9 years old as I keep thinking I bought this around 2003, but I could be wrong). It's given me a boost of courage to perhaps tackle another repair I might do, which is replace the screen. I'm getting a couple vertical lines and I attached it to a regular monitor and the lines didn't show up there. So, I'm thinking screen and not video card, but that's a whole other story. I want to finish learning about what happened here!
Thanks again, Terry!
Art
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
September 27th, 2012 16:00
Art
That is awesome news that the replacement memory works. I don't always try just one new device at a time, but I have had enough issues while upgrading systems in the past to know it is better being a little cautious.
Thanks for the update and please let me know if you decide on the LCD replacement and how it goes.
TB
Art.LeVine
9 Posts
0
September 27th, 2012 21:00
Hi Terry,
Do you have any idea as to why it didn't work to begin with and why putting the original two chips back in didn't work either?
My curiosity is peaked!
I'll definitely make it known when I get to my screen issue. I have to check the prices of screens and someone mentioned that the vertical lines could be something other than the video card or screen, which I didn't quite understand, so I have to investigate a bit before spending the money.
Anyway, let me know if you have any further thoughts on the chip mystery!
Thanks again,
Art
NickBinette
1 Message
0
January 10th, 2013 10:00
Hi,
I have the same laptop and same issue: not enough memory.
So I ordered some from CanadaRAM. They sent me KTD-INSP6000C/1G. They are DDR2-800 modules, so 800MHz.
I hope these are not too fast. I thought the ones in place already were 533MHz or less.
Do you know what speed your new modules were?
Thanks,
Nick
Art.LeVine
9 Posts
0
January 13th, 2013 13:00
Hi Nick,
Sorry for the delay in answering back - been one of the flu victims.
I got mine at Best Buy and they were by PNY. The DDR2 PC2-5300, which I assume are 533MHz although it doesn't say anything else on the packaging. Sorry I can't offer more as I'm not very tech savvy. I can tell you that my world order has almost been restored since putting these chips in. My system seems to operate at normal speed and I've had no hang-ups or screen crashes. Really got scared when they didn't work at first, but our forum leader "Mr. Wizard" knew exactly how to talk me through replacing the old chips again in particular order. Worked like a charm! I would say to you that if you get your system up and running at first with your new chips, but get programs that either won't run or won't run properly then it could be the chip speed, but again, coming from me is like my telling a NASA rocket scientist how to do an oil change on a space shuttle.
My next "venture" will be to replace my screen if I can find out which is the right model for my Dell Inspiron 9300. I've been getting vertical lines appearing (4 now) and I don't think it's the video card as I plugged the monitor from my desktop into my laptop and the vertical lines don't appear on the monitor - only my laptop screen.
I hope everything works well for you with the faster chips and I'd like to know if that is the case. I'm not sure how much of a difference that would make for me since everything seems to be moving fine now.
Hope your New Year is a grand one!
All the best,
Art