M17X R1 RAM Upgrade problem

Hi all,
I've had my M17X for about 3 years now and figured I'd try and upgrade the RAM. I thought it'd be a nice easy job.

So I ordered some of this from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002YUF8ZG/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Corsair CMSO8GX3M2A1333C9 Value Select 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333 Mhz CL9 Mainstream Notebook Memory Kit

And it doesn't work. I've installed it, it boots past the BIOS and the computer stops doing anything on the 'Starting Windows' screen. I don't get the windows logo, it just sits there.
I've had a play in the BIOS - its sees the RAM. I've tried playing with the overclocking options, to try and make it run at 1066 the same as the FSB, and I've tried upping the FSB to 1333, but nothing seems to make any difference.

I've updated the BIOS to whatever the current one is on the dell site, which also made no difference.

Have I picked the wrong RAM? Has anyone got any clue how to fix it? If it isn't fixable, is this a decent replacement:

INTEGRAL PC3-10600 DDR3 Laptop Memory - 4GB SODIMM RAM Deals | Pcworld


Thanks in advance!

Ross

 

I don't think the R1 supports RAM past 1066 MHz, though I've never heard of it not POSTing when using faster RAM.

 

Yes, it doesn't accept any RAM speeds past 1066 MHz... theoretically it should work by underclocking, but the motherboard just wont accept it due to the chipset - the same reason that the Bios detects 16GB ram but just wont boot windows with it. That ram you linked is still 1333 MHz, so it wouldn't work. I have 8GB 1066 MHz ram in mine and it was just plug and play with no issues.

 

It's hard finding RAM "slower" then 1333 MHz these days, 1333 MHz was supported RAM speed after 1 generation after the 2nd generation Penryn Core 2 Duo/Quads with Clarksfield i7's, and the faster RAM support just grew after that. Sometimes you'll need to order the slower kits directly from the manufacturer.

 

Ya lol, I've had this same ram since 2008 (a year before I bought my M17X R1). You can also try a trusted seller on EBay, I've bought loads of computer components from there with no issues.

 

Thanks guys - I think you've just confirmed what I was thinking. Fingers crossed Amazon accepts the RAM back in an opened package!

 

Hopefully they will. Ebay, as suggested above is a great place to buy this older components. They offer them at great price and I've never had any issues either.

 

I you want to buy from amazon just type in DDR 3 1066 and you will see alot of ram for sale or justclick this link .

Amazon.co.uk: ddr 3 1066: Computers & Accessories