Dell RAM upgrade question. Firmware?

Roger Weaver · 06-28-2009, 10:13 PM

I own a Dell Dimension 8110 PC (running XP; have an external HD). Recently I acquired MS Office Professional 2007. Because I was considering installing it I decided to purchase more RAM. My roommate helped me research something compatible (1 GB PC3200 DDR DIMM; SKU: (2x512MB) 1 GB PC 3200 DDR 40). I've had it in for two months and while it works all right, there are some disturbing differences with the old RAM. First of all, I'm having to save my documents much more often; if I don't they will often close unexpectedly and I sometimes will have to find the saved backup copy. Secondly, twice the computer has just shut off randomly, usually when I have a few windows going simultaneously. Finally, twice when I logged off a site my screen froze weirdly (I'd get these shimmery squares arranged in rows on the screen).

My roommate thinks we chose RAM that is compatible. He suggests I purchase some "firmware" (don't know what that is) and further suggested I should inquire here. Anyone have any ideas how I should proceed?

**Tyree** · 06-30-2009, 08:11 AM

Mixing RAM is always a crap shoot. If the 2X512 or the 1GB work by themselves then the problem is most likely a compatibility issue.
You could also try disconnecting the external Hdd and see if anything changes.

Roger Weaver · 06-30-2009, 11:55 PM

The problem is that the new RAM *doesn't* fully work by itself as it is. I'm a little afraid to disconnect the external HD anyway because my computer was starting to slow down before I added it on. My roommate suggests calling Dell about the firmware. Any idea if they are likely to be helpful? (BTW, thanks for your comment/post Tyree)

**Tyree** · 07-01-2009, 08:38 AM

Do the 2 512 sticks work properly by themselves?
Use ONLY the new RAM and run memtest86+. That will tell you if the RAM is faulty.
Why are you afraid to disconnect the external drive?
What "firmware" is your roommate referring to?

Roger Weaver · 07-02-2009, 12:08 AM

Hi Tyree,
As I said, the 2 512 sticks don't work flawlessly (i.e., properly). The test sounds like it might be useful. Any idea which version of the memtest86+ would be the safest and/or best to use? I probably don't know what I'm talking about regarding the external HD. I'm just imagining that the computer will run very slowly (because the computer is old and without much disk space); the new RAM is probably more likely to act even screwier without enough storage space on the hard drive). I mean, I already know the new RAM is not working entirely correctly, how will it help me to see it choke up on a hobbled system?

My roommate suggested calling Dell technical and asking them about firmware. He's vague about the exact type of firmware. But he says that they (Dell) are likely to have firmware that can make adjustments to an old computer like mine to make it compatible with RAM that might perform slightly different than the RAM that was installed with the computer as issued. I'm considering calling but I'd like to know as much as I can before I get on the phone for an hour long distance to India.

techsupportdude · 07-20-2009, 09:12 AM

I don't know about the firmware issue, having never personally encountered it. However, I own an 8110 and I can tell you that if you don't install identical RAM, your system will never be reliably stable regardless of the supposed compatibility.

Trying to install more than 2GB will begin a wonderful troubleshooting cycle you'll likely never forget.

**simpswr** · 07-20-2009, 09:18 AM

The "firmware" your firend is refering to is likely a BIOS update . . which is rarely necessary.

You can use the memory configurator at www.crucial.com to see what you have and what is compatible. Run it with the original sticks only.

The external hard drive should not make a difference in performance . . if it does, you have other problems.

How much free space do you have on the internal HDD?

06-28-2009, 10:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Roger Weaver Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP 2002 Service Pack 3	Dell RAM upgrade question. Firmware? I own a Dell Dimension 8110 PC (running XP; have an external HD). Recently I acquired MS Office Professional 2007. Because I was considering installing it I decided to purchase more RAM. My roommate helped me research something compatible (1 GB PC3200 DDR DIMM; SKU: (2x512MB) 1 GB PC 3200 DDR 40). I've had it in for two months and while it works all right, there are some disturbing differences with the old RAM. First of all, I'm having to save my documents much more often; if I don't they will often close unexpectedly and I sometimes will have to find the saved backup copy. Secondly, twice the computer has just shut off randomly, usually when I have a few windows going simultaneously. Finally, twice when I logged off a site my screen froze weirdly (I'd get these shimmery squares arranged in rows on the screen). My roommate thinks we chose RAM that is compatible. He suggests I purchase some "firmware" (don't know what that is) and further suggested I should inquire here. Anyone have any ideas how I should proceed?

06-30-2009, 08:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,579 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Dell RAM upgrade question. Firmware? Mixing RAM is always a crap shoot. If the 2X512 or the 1GB work by themselves then the problem is most likely a compatibility issue. You could also try disconnecting the external Hdd and see if anything changes. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

06-30-2009, 11:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Roger Weaver Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP 2002 Service Pack 3	Re: Dell RAM upgrade question. Firmware? The problem is that the new RAM doesn't fully work by itself as it is. I'm a little afraid to disconnect the external HD anyway because my computer was starting to slow down before I added it on. My roommate suggests calling Dell about the firmware. Any idea if they are likely to be helpful? (BTW, thanks for your comment/post Tyree)

07-01-2009, 08:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,579 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Dell RAM upgrade question. Firmware? Do the 2 512 sticks work properly by themselves? Use ONLY the new RAM and run memtest86+. That will tell you if the RAM is faulty. Why are you afraid to disconnect the external drive? What "firmware" is your roommate referring to? __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

07-02-2009, 12:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Roger Weaver Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP 2002 Service Pack 3	Re: Dell RAM upgrade question. Firmware? Hi Tyree, As I said, the 2 512 sticks don't work flawlessly (i.e., properly). The test sounds like it might be useful. Any idea which version of the memtest86+ would be the safest and/or best to use? I probably don't know what I'm talking about regarding the external HD. I'm just imagining that the computer will run very slowly (because the computer is old and without much disk space); the new RAM is probably more likely to act even screwier without enough storage space on the hard drive). I mean, I already know the new RAM is not working entirely correctly, how will it help me to see it choke up on a hobbled system? My roommate suggested calling Dell technical and asking them about firmware. He's vague about the exact type of firmware. But he says that they (Dell) are likely to have firmware that can make adjustments to an old computer like mine to make it compatible with RAM that might perform slightly different than the RAM that was installed with the computer as issued. I'm considering calling but I'd like to know as much as I can before I get on the phone for an hour long distance to India.

07-20-2009, 09:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
techsupportdude Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1 OS: XP SP3; Win 7b; Xubuntu	Re: Dell RAM upgrade question. Firmware? I don't know about the firmware issue, having never personally encountered it. However, I own an 8110 and I can tell you that if you don't install identical RAM, your system will never be reliably stable regardless of the supposed compatibility. Trying to install more than 2GB will begin a wonderful troubleshooting cycle you'll likely never forget.

07-20-2009, 09:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,230 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Dell RAM upgrade question. Firmware? The "firmware" your firend is refering to is likely a BIOS update . . which is rarely necessary. You can use the memory configurator at www.crucial.com to see what you have and what is compatible. Run it with the original sticks only. The external hard drive should not make a difference in performance . . if it does, you have other problems. How much free space do you have on the internal HDD? __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?