Need help installing RAM

jayz100 · 06-18-2008, 10:34 PM

I recently installed Vista and decided to instal some RAM as well as I only have 1GB( 512X2 ).
I bought 2GB of RAM but when I tried installing it the computer started beeping and wouldn't turn on. I tried placing them in different configurations as 3GB, by itself and so on but to no avail.

My current memory is Samsung DDR2 SDRAM.
The one I bought was DDR2 SDRAM 240 Pins 800MHz PC2-6400.

I read in the sticky that the BIOS (Dell -6 Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A01) might not be compatible with the RAM being on 2 sides depending on your model, but I'm not sure.

Any help is appreciated.

CTSNKY · 06-19-2008, 04:40 AM

So what is the make/model of your PC or motherboard?

vladimirb · 06-19-2008, 04:52 AM

Test memory that you have bought with testing tools like memtest: http://www.memtest.org/
My advise is to take out your old memory because apperantlly it works, and put new one and test it to see if new one is spoiled...
Then try to put new one + 1x512MB old one together and try to start the system or test it to make sure they can work together...
This way you will see if it is compatible together...
Also do what CTSNKY said and tell us full stats of your PC...
Hope this will help you mate...

jayz100 · 06-20-2008, 12:26 AM

My PC is a Dell Dimension 5100 model OJ8885.
I tried installing the 2 GB by itself and with one or 2 of the other ram but it would not start.
I'm using System Information for Windows to find out the details about my comp.

Thimbleduster · 07-08-2008, 07:12 PM

jayz100, if you have a dell computer, please visit this website (on another computer of course): www.support.dell.com.

If you input the Service Tag (the number/letter combination on the white label affixed to the back of your machine), you can then find out what type of memory was shipped with your system. It's usually best to stick with the same type. When you are populating memory slots you should install them in pairs, so that the dual channel capability can be utilized. The slots are color coded, two of one color and two of another color (green and black I think in your motherboard). Populate the two green ones or black ones, and when yu upgrade to 4 GB, populate the other two. The most important part of this is: Use the type that the Motherboard supports; use dimms of same density in each bank (color). And don't go cheap on me...use the good grade A from Crucial, or ATI, or Samsung. I hope this will help

06-18-2008, 10:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
jayz100 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Vista 32X	Need help installing RAM I recently installed Vista and decided to instal some RAM as well as I only have 1GB( 512X2 ). I bought 2GB of RAM but when I tried installing it the computer started beeping and wouldn't turn on. I tried placing them in different configurations as 3GB, by itself and so on but to no avail. My current memory is Samsung DDR2 SDRAM. The one I bought was DDR2 SDRAM 240 Pins 800MHz PC2-6400. I read in the sticky that the BIOS (Dell -6 Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A01) might not be compatible with the RAM being on 2 sides depending on your model, but I'm not sure. Any help is appreciated.

06-19-2008, 04:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
CTSNKY Knower of all that is MS Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 10,755 OS: (multiple machines) 95, 98, 2K & XP Home & Pro	Re: Need help installing RAM So what is the make/model of your PC or motherboard? __________________ GO BIG BLUE!!

06-19-2008, 04:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
vladimirb Hardware Team Tech Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 1,451 OS: xp pro sp3, Server 2003 My System	Re: Need help installing RAM Test memory that you have bought with testing tools like memtest: http://www.memtest.org/ My advise is to take out your old memory because apperantlly it works, and put new one and test it to see if new one is spoiled... Then try to put new one + 1x512MB old one together and try to start the system or test it to make sure they can work together... This way you will see if it is compatible together... Also do what CTSNKY said and tell us full stats of your PC... Hope this will help you mate... __________________ Realm: Bronze Dragonflight - EU Undead Rogue --- Level 70 --- Spec: Combat Orc Shaman --- Level 70 --- Spec: Elemental Tauren Warrior --- Level 70 --- Spec: Protection Troll Priest --- Level 62 --- Spec: Shadow

06-20-2008, 12:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
jayz100 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Vista 32X	Re: Need help installing RAM My PC is a Dell Dimension 5100 model OJ8885. I tried installing the 2 GB by itself and with one or 2 of the other ram but it would not start. I'm using System Information for Windows to find out the details about my comp.

07-08-2008, 07:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Thimbleduster Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1 OS: WinXP Home sp3	Re: Need help installing RAM jayz100, if you have a dell computer, please visit this website (on another computer of course): www.support.dell.com. If you input the Service Tag (the number/letter combination on the white label affixed to the back of your machine), you can then find out what type of memory was shipped with your system. It's usually best to stick with the same type. When you are populating memory slots you should install them in pairs, so that the dual channel capability can be utilized. The slots are color coded, two of one color and two of another color (green and black I think in your motherboard). Populate the two green ones or black ones, and when yu upgrade to 4 GB, populate the other two. The most important part of this is: Use the type that the Motherboard supports; use dimms of same density in each bank (color). And don't go cheap on me...use the good grade A from Crucial, or ATI, or Samsung. I hope this will help