Zelie

Eep, hopefully I didn't make that post title too confusing. Hello all! I'm new here, first post! I chose to join because this forum popped up on lots of google searches. Anyway, on to the issue at hand!

Please be patient, this will probably be a long post. I am long-winded, plus, I'm never sure what may and may not be helpful.

I recently purchased a new DDR stick, 512 MB, from Crucial. I have a Dell Inspiron 1150 notebook running Windows XP, it's a few years old, but I have never had any serious issues with it. It came with 256 MB RAM. I decided to purchase new RAM because I'm a relatively impatient person, and the computer staretd to feel a little slow to me. I checked start up processes, malware, spyware, etc. the usual when a computer feels like it's slogging down. I got a portable hard drive for Christmas, so I moved some of my files over to it to clear up a nice amount of space on my hard drive. Anyway, one of the main things that was annoying me was when I was playing videos. They would also slow down or go out of sync. This occurred whether I was viewing streaming video online or watching a DVD. Anyway, a RAM upgrade seemed like the best option.

Now that I've gotten a little too autobiographical, on to the problem at hand. Last night, I finally got off my lazy bum and installed the new stick. I found it quite easy and I followed all the instructions. The pre-exisiting RAM stick was in DIMM A, and I placed the new one in DIMM B. When my computer didn't seem to be recognizing the new RAM, I found some google hits that mentioned some things about changing channels/slots for new memory. So, I switched the new one into DIMM A and the old into DIMM B. My computer did the not wanting to boot thing, so I switched them back. It booted without a hitch, it signaled that it recognzied the memory change, and I checked out the BIOS screen after hitting F2. You know the drill. First time, though, it the screen went crazy. It looks like when you change the resolution sometimes and you see all the colors of the rainbow going all over the place. Well, upon restart, it was fine. Additionally, I noticed the new speed immediately (so exciting!) The thing is, it would sporadically freeze and I had to do the dreaded remove battery and unplug notebook procedure more times than I'd like to admit. Sometimes it seemed to go crazy when I was doing processes, like watching video online or on my hard disk. Others, it just randomnly froze.

After having a stressful night and performing google searches out the wazoo, I took another stab this morning and simply removed the new piece, assuming it was defective. Unfortunately, I'm having the same issues, it actually is freezing a lot quicker. Some times, it gives me that evil blue screen of death that gives a whole lecture about trying to remove any newly installed hardware. I'm guessing the new memory wasn't the problem. Obviously, I can't just afford a whole new laptop. I'm thinking I may have did something wrong, though I can't see what. I handled the RAM as instructed and such.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I mused about trying a diagnostic thing, like MemTest, but I'm not sure the memory itself, is the problem. Additonally, there would have to be the possibility of my being able to keep my computer on long enough (I'm currently borrowing a relative's to type this) to download MemTest.

Wow, this post was super long. So, whoever made it through completely, let me know. I'll give you a cookie.

I look forward to hearing from, well, anybody, soon!

Thanks again!
Zelie