Inspiron 1520 Owners Manual

Check it!

They have lots of pictures. Also it is confirmed that the 2 ram slots are not in the same place!!! As predicted, 1 is on the back, and 1 is behind the keyboard.

 

Ah... its going to be a hassle when i upgrade the RAM. I plan to get rid of my 2x512 and put in 3 gig myself.

 

I was hoping they would both be in the back for an easy installation.

 

Does the 1520 have volume controller on the notebook itself?

 

yep at the front with the media buttons, also the 1520 can have flash cache modules if wanted, infared and a camera indicator light!

 

Looks like it's capable of utilizing a "Flash Cache Module." Is that TurboMemory?

 

Going to be a pain to upgrade the ram.

 

No DVI, boooooo hissssssss.

 

I was worried that it would be a pain in the ass to install more RAM (as it ALWAYS is with dell). That's why I went ahead and upgraded to 2gb at their prices, which I recommend doing to anyone else as I believe installing new RAM voids the warranty on these devices and it will probably be the first thing you do when you get it.

 

I'm pretty sure installing RAM yourself does not void the warranty... does anyone else know for sure?

 

Did you order a 2 GB stick and a 1 GB stick?

 

LOL...it will not void your warranty. And while not as easy as it was on my I9300.....I hear the keyboard comes up real easy.

I don't know for sure, but I dont think you'll get proper Dual Channel mode with 2 sticks not the same size.....

 

I'm not sure if your talking to me or not, but I know I won't be able to have dual-channel, but the reason why I got the 2 GB stick is so that I will be able to upgrade to 4 GB of ram in the near future, and then be able to have dual-channel.

 

From what I understand...only the 64bit version of Vista can use 4mb of Ram. The 32bit version that comes with it can only use something like 3.2Gb of it....so it may not be worth upgrading to 4Gb (I too thought of it when I ordered one) until you move up to the 64bit version...which right now does not support the games and things I know my son will do on his 1520....

 

I just shelled out the extra money for the Dell RAM. I definately won't know what the hell to do even if I do manage to open up my laptop, and I'll be too scared to touch any of the delicate looking hardware inside. I suppose I could ask a friend who knows how to install notebook RAM, but then again I wouldn't trust anyone touching my lappie either.

 

Is the Vista Home Premium Media version 32-bit I'm guessing? Because if so, maybe I made the wrong decision with the 2 GB stick :\. Who cares, it'll be easier for me to install the RAM. I'll just replace the 512 stick which is in the back and I won't need to remove the keyboard. But dual-channel would have been nice.

I'm sure the overall performance increase isn't too much higher from 2.0 GB's of ram in dual channel vs. 2.5 GB's not in dual channel.

 

The stuff is not delicate. I mean.... computer wise. Rule of thumb is don't use more force than you would to pinch yourself. ITs a good idea to get it equiped with everything you need but if you need to upgrade later on its probably best to do so.

Also larson: ya 2.5 gigs of ram is fine. vista runs up about .5 gigs of ram noramly so that may help a little. Also if you want to upgrade to 4gigs of ram do so in another 1-1.5 years when the drivers will work with vista.

 

Sounds good to me .

 

Windows Vista Home Premium supports 32 and 64-bit.

 

Ummm... it's available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. If this is a copy of Vista bundled with your computer, it's almost certainly the 32-bit version.

 

well that sucks...

 

Larson, nice pics.. I have a similar system and despite my pride.. I have to ask if you or anyone here is willing to show me a picture highlighting the steps to installing the ram. This is my first lappy and i cant seem to get the screws out from the bottom of the unit (on the side opposite of vid card). I used more force that i would like to and they would'nt move. I assumed thats where the ram would go. I removed the panel on top (in front of screen) and couldnt see anything that i wanted to mess with. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
The lappy n00bster aka Eric

 

SiNiStRSauSaGE,
Have you seen this?
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/en/sm/memory.htm#wp1180190

 

Thanks Chelet..