Help Installing RAM

shopbot

Hi All,
Have just bought some PC3200 DDR for my PC and installed and the PC will not boot. It boots fine with the old RAM in however with either the new + old or just the new it detects the RAM but does not boot.

On checking my PC manual it specifies PC2100 or PC2700 RAM so I initially assumed that the PC doesn't have the correct RAM. However after some internet searching it appears that DDR RAM is backwards compatible.....

so is the RAM not working because:
1. It's the wrong RAM
or
2. It's a faulty memory module.

Thanks everyone

SB

[Deleted User]

Hi,

you could have a look at the Crucial Site and run the scanner see what it says for your machine.

shopbot

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

you could have a look at the Crucial Site and run the scanner see what it says for your machine.

Thanks - thats where I think I went wrong. It says PC2700 RAM and PC3200RAM. I relied on this to be correct and bought PC3200 RAM off ebay. When I checked the PC manual it says PC2100 and PC2700 RAM.

I guess what I am getting at is that if the RAM is backwards compatible then I can contact the seller for a refund (as it must be faulty) but if its not then its my own fault.

shopbot

Its a Dell Dimension 2400 Windows XP PC.

Blacksheep1979

not all motherboards will support PC3200 and they won't allow it to be backward compatible - afraid this may be a costly lesson learnt.

If you have a friends computer that you can try the ram in is the only way really to test it.

Sput2001

If you have bought the wrong thing and you can confirm that it works OK, you could just sell it on ebay. You'll get a fair chunk of your money back...

rmg1

If it was bought on eBay - you may be able to return to seller and get them to exchange it.
Depends on who it was bought from.

darkcloudi

Looking at the crucial website it appears the DDR3200 is compatible for your PC http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listparts.aspx?model=Dimension+2400+Series

What do you mean when you say it detects the RAM but does not boot? Can you see the memory in the BIOS?

If it does not boot and you cannot see the BIOS have you made sure the new memory is clicked in properly? I have had instances where I have upgraded memory and memory hadn't been pushed in properly into the pins and this is to why it did not boot up.

As BlackSheep1979 suggests would be a good idea to try on a friends computer if its possible or it could be a known problem and the motherboard may need to be flased with the latest firmware to support DDR3200 memory.

shopbot

darkcloudi wrote: »

What do you mean when you say it detects the RAM but does not boot? Can you see the memory in the BIOS?

Thanks - it doesn't get to the BIOS. Nothing happens on the monitor. I can hear the HD running and the 4 diagnostic lights at the back illuminate. According to the manual they indicate that "Memory Modules are detected, but a memory failure has occcured"

darkcloudi wrote: »

If it does not boot and you cannot see the BIOS have you made sure the new memory is clicked in properly? I have had instances where I have upgraded memory and memory hadn't been pushed in properly into the pins and this is to why it did not boot up.

I pushed in as firmly as I thought I could. The securing grips at the side were in the correct notch so I assume I had the RAM seated correctly.

tunesurfer

Memory for Pcs is a funny thing - Dell machines are quite particular to cheaper memory - I used to have same problems on many machines until I started using crucial and have never looked back.

It may well be that the settings in your Bios are tuned in to your old memory sticks as there are many things you can do in Bios to make things run smoother

For example you can change the voltage - timings - latency and more and if someone has set these up for your old ram it may be holding up the new stuff - If i where you I would study the manual go into bios with your old memory stick in and set the memory settings to the most accomodating for the newer ram(and the older one).

Caution remember exactly what settings you have now in case it doesnt work.

Double caution you could also make your old ram not work and so cant get the PC to boot.

Blacksheep1979

I doubt on a Dell budget motherboard that you will be able to adjust timings or latency so that shouldn't be the problem.