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    Memory Upgrade Problem

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Clie, Jan 7, 2008.

  1. Clie

    Clie Newbie

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    Wondering if anyone can assist me here. I purchased a Dell Inspiron 1520 with 1gb of ram and purchased 2 2gb DDR2 667 modules to upgrade seperately from another retailer.

    I upgraded the ram by replacing the 2 512mb modules that were installed from Dell on the laptop with the ones I purchased. I cant get the computer to boot now. I press the power button and the power led lights up. The Num lock, Scroll lock lights up and the Caps lock keeps flashing. But nothing else happens the screen remains off and the fans don't start.

    Anyone know what the problem might be?
     
    Clie, Jan 7, 2008
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  2. ThePug

    ThePug Notebook Consultant

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    What happens when you take it out?
     
    ThePug, Jan 7, 2008
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  3. Clie

    Clie Newbie

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    I took it out and put the original ram back in and same thing happens.
     
    Clie, Jan 7, 2008
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  4. schoko

    schoko Custom User Title

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    wow, that does not sound good. did you take out the battery before upgrading the ram ?
     
    schoko, Jan 7, 2008
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  5. Clie

    Clie Newbie

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    yeah...I unpluged the ac and took the battery out. What about the keyboard...I had to remove the keyboard connection to access one of the DIMM slots....could it be I didn't put it back properly?
     
    Clie, Jan 7, 2008
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  6. schoko

    schoko Custom User Title

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    well try that first, but from what i´m thinking you might have a big problem. heard a similar thing once before, in that case the memory controller was broken.
    might not be the problem you face right now, but could be.

    but before thinking of the worst case and sending it in for repair you should try all the things you can do.
     
    schoko, Jan 7, 2008
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  7. Clie

    Clie Newbie

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    The original ram is back in. The keyboard is connected to the board but it still doesn't boot.

    The lights come up with the CAPS lock light flashing and then they all go off in 30 seconds.
     
    Clie, Jan 7, 2008
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  8. schoko

    schoko Custom User Title

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    you should contact dell and tell them the symptoms.

    and it would be better not to tell you have upgraded your ram. you do not loose your warranty when you upgrade your ram, but if you break something they will make problems.
     
    schoko, Jan 7, 2008
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  9. Clie

    Clie Newbie

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    PROBLEM RESLOVED:

    I looked on the net and found this solution which worked....for anybody else thats ever encountered this problem:

    Unplug power cord from laptop, remove battery from laptop. Open memory access panel on the bottom of the laptop. Remove memory module(s) (SO-DIMM). Plug power cord back into laptop. Turn laptop on (with the memory removed), the caps lock and scroll lock LEDs light, then the laptop shuts itself off. Unplug power cord from the laptop. Reinstall the memory modules. Make sure they are seated correctly. Put the battery back in, plug the laptop back in, and power on. Laptop should power on and boot up properly.

    Thanks for your assistance guys :)
     
    Clie, Jan 7, 2008
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  10. schoko

    schoko Custom User Title

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    very good you found a solution, though it seems a bit too complicated for just a simple ram upgrade.... :confused:
     
    schoko, Jan 7, 2008
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  11. Clie

    Clie Newbie

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    Not for every ram upgrade....it just happens every now and then for some models. I know...strange...I've never heard of it in my 20 years with computers!
     
    Clie, Jan 7, 2008
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