Memory problem or hardrive problem?

I have a dell inspiron 5100.

Ok, so i've been having problems booting up the computer and then whenever it does bootup it overheats(but I think i've fixed this by using compressed air and blowing out all the dust ). So I tried to reformat it but I keep on having troubles when installing windows. I keep on getting various blue screens whenever I try.

Do you guys think this is a problem with the Hardrive or the ram? I am thinking that its the ram but what do you guys think. Also, can you guys link me to some 512mb ram that I can buy that will work in my 5100? Currently right now, there is 1 stick of 512mb ddr 2100. Can it takes higher speed or ram like 3100?

Thanks.

 

If you want to check the RAM, try memtest.
http://memtest86.com/
Click Free Download in the frame over at the left.

 

Check the ram with Memtest 86( here is an excellent guide that shows you how to test your ram with Memtest) as chelet already mentioned and the manufacture of your hard drive should have a diagnostic utility to test the hard drive( here is a list of manufacturers utilities).

Also make sure all your drivers are updated.

 

hmm well i did the memtest 86 with a floppy and it took an hour and it passed it. It's odd because I seem to have errors that point to it being memory problems.

Ok, so sometimes whenever I boot up I will get this:
"MEMORY WRITE/READ FAILURE AT 10F01FEF, READ F000F01F EXPECTING F01FF01F
DECREASING AVAIABLE MEMORY
MEMORY ADDRESS LINE FAILURE AT 10E6000C, READ 1911919 EXPECTING 19191919
DECREASING AVAILBLE MEMORY
THE AMOUNT OF SYSTEM MEMORY HAS CHANGED"
-------
Also, I get blue screen errors whenever I try to reformat and then install windows. Here is the latest one:
"A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

MEMORY_MANAGEMENT

0x0000001A"

then says some stuff about if you have seen this message, check any new hardware, disable stuff in bios etc.

What is up?

 

Your RAM ist kaput.

For good prices on RAM, search at www.pricewatch.com. If possible, buy only RAM that is stated by the seller to work on your machine. Even with the same type of RAM, there can be different numbers of pins, and so forth. Higher-speed spec is not a problem if the physical specs are the same.

 

But it passed the test? I am confused...shouldn't it have failed the test if the ram is bad?

I saw this http://www.edgetechcorp.com/memory/upgrade.asp?cid=19503 and it seems to be the original ram that comes with the dell. After further reading it is 200 Pin PC2100 DDR SODIMM.

I was thinking about getting a better speed and get more money's worth. I was looking at this, http://www.amazon.com/Upgrade-Inspi...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1191290081&sr=1-2

it says it should work for my system. It is 3200 speed and will buy 2 of them so i can dual channel them. How does this sound? Also, Is there a better price I can get on them or does that seem like a fair price?

 

I wonder if your problem could be heat-related. Have you checked its temperature since cleaning it?

Memtest does not use the hard drive. If the hard drive is generating extra heat during bootup and heat is what's causing the errors, memtest won't catch it.

 

The 5100 are known for overheating. Dont just blow compressed air into the vents.

You have to take off the bottom of the notebook and clean off the heatsinks that way. thats how I stopped my gf's 5100 from overheating all the time.

 

Also make sure that the ram is properly seated(it can come loose over time).

There are some deals for DDR ram in the Hot ram deals thread.

 

Well, I don't know how to check the temp if i cannot boot to windows. Usually, you can install a program that will let you know the temp. So is there anyway to know that the hardrive is at fault?

I took off everything and blew compress air and got everything pretty well. Can you tell me where exactly the heatsinks are? I am having trouble finding it. http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/29/61085890ln9.jpg http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1984/82647334di8.jpg

And the ram is seated fine.

So any ram that is ddr and is 200 pin sodimm shoudl work? so http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145506 should work in my inspiron 5100(thanks for the thread chelet)

 

Can you check the temperature in the BIOS?
You can check pictures here
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/index.htm
I think you have to dig down a little deeper to get to the heatsinks.

 

wow crap. so i assmebled everything back, and the monitor won't work. I went back and made sure everything was secure but still the same results. I tried plugging in my desktop monitor, but the monitor wouldn't even turn on. I tried moving the mouse,hitting keys etc.

do you think its the videocard and not the monitor that is messed up then? I did accidently take off the videocard because i wasn't sure what it was, but then i put it back to how it was.

I don't understand how I could mess it up? static electricity perhaps?

 

Hello,

This is Richard from Dell's Online Community Outreach group. You most likely did not do any damage to the system. Try to disassemble the parts you worked with and check your work. Use this service manual to assist you.

Also, you may want to double check that the heatsink has been fully cleaned. Notice in this picture that the black fan is mounted in the heatsink with three screws. Carefully remove the screws and carefully lift out the fan, then clean out the inside of the heatsink.



Best of luck,

Richard B
Dell Online Community Outreach

 

with regards to the memory, you can only have 1GB PC2100 DDR memory.

 

Hey there richard...I will check my work again and will double check the heatsink. Much thanks!

kamote, will 1 gig of ddr pc3200 not work?

 

kamote, will 1 gig of ddr pc3200 not work?

 

It won't work. You need PC2100 for the Inspiron 5100.

 

really? people were telling me different things. some were saying it would work, some say it won't. some say, it will work but it will downclock to 2100.

how do you know? Can you give me a reference? Because I was under the impression that as long as it is the same pin and is ddr and not ddr2, then it should work.

Also, whenever I said 1 gig ddr pc 3200, I mean 2 x 512 of pc3200.

 

Hello,

DDR-2 will not fit into the dimm slots of an Inspiron 5100, only DDR-1 will fit. The slot looks the same and appears that a DDR 1 or 2 could go in. However, the little notch does not line up the same. I hope this clears this up for you.

Regards,

Richard B
Dell Online Community Outreach

 

yup Richard from Dell is right, it will not fit (DDR2) because of the notch.

 

ok thanks. but chelet was saying that ddr pc3200 would not work and only ddr pc2100 will work. The one that I'm planning on getting is 2x512mb ddr pc3200.

I was going to get some corsair memory but it was out of stock. I am now getting this kind. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820172108

can you guys check to make sure that it is ok before I buy it? this are good memory? I just want to make sure. sorry lol.

 

As long as its 200-Pin DDR SO-DIMM, any brand(personally, kingston is on my list of likeable memory) of memory should work but there is a chance that it may not work(thats were the return policy and lifetime warranty comes in)

 

ahhh i see. thanks for clearing up the confusion. aight, ordering some now. thanks for the help man.