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    Dell Inspiron 5100 memory upgrade problems

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by dcavalli, Nov 8, 2007.

  1. dcavalli

    dcavalli Newbie

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    I've been using my Dell Inspiron 5100 notebook since 2004. It works well with occasional glitches (which I have been able to resolve since becoming more computer-savy.)

    The 5100's memory can be expanded to 1 GB. It has two memory modules. See http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/upgrades.htm#1105389

    Last week, I bought a 512 MB memory module and installed it. The notebook was updgraded to 768 MB memory.

    Yesterday, I tried installing a second 512 MB memory module to get it to the max. The notebook didn't even boot up. The screen remained black. No Dell logo.

    I thought I damaged it. I later replaced the modules (one 256 MB that came with the computer and the 512 MB one), and it worked. (I tested both of the 512 MB modules separately, and they worked.)

    I'm thinking that it didn't work because the total memory exceeded 1 GB.

    They make modules only in 512, 256, 128, and 64 MB.

    So how can I expand it to the maximum 1 GB?

    Did I miss something?

    Thanks.

    D------
     
    dcavalli, Nov 8, 2007
    #1
  2. ccbr01

    ccbr01 Matlab powerhouse! NBR Reviewer

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    ccbr01, Nov 8, 2007
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  3. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    Since both of the DIMMs seem to work individually you might just have two DIMMs that don't like to work with each other. In which case your best bet is to simply try to find a DIMM identical to your first 512MB upgrade. If the machine claims to support a GB of RAM, there's no reason it shouldn't support a GB of RAM... I don't think they'd cheat you by saying a GB was 1000MB, and not 1024MB.
     
    Commander Wolf, Nov 8, 2007
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  4. dcavalli

    dcavalli Newbie

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    To ccbr01:

    Problem solved! It was the BIOS. (I confess I had to Google it.) They had the latest A32 version at Dell Support. I downloaded it tonight. It replaced the old A28 version. (Strange that it never got downloaded with automatic updates.)

    I then installed the 512 MB module. The laptop worked! I checked the control panel, and it shows 1 GB of memory.

    Thanks again! (And thanks for your input too, Commander.)

    D-----
     
    dcavalli, Nov 8, 2007
    #4
  5. ccbr01

    ccbr01 Matlab powerhouse! NBR Reviewer

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    Yup, that old bios can get you sometimes. I'm glad you are running at 1gb of ram now! You are going to see performance gains!
     
    ccbr01, Nov 9, 2007
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