Re: Dell Desktop 8400 - mem slot 4 not recognized


"JCMc" <mcdonaldjc@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:gpbqdm$omj$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I've been running this system with Windows XP for several years with 1gig
of memory configured as two half-gig DIMM in slots 1 and 2. I finally
broke down and ordered 2x 1G DIMM from Crucial to go in slots 3 and 4 to
net me 3Gigs total. However, when I installed the BIOS did not recognize
the memory in slot 4. I've rearranged all my 4 different DIMM so that
each one has successfully worked in each of slots 1,2 and 3, and each has
in its turn failed to work in slot 4. The BIOS reports none present in 4.
Windows will boot and report either 2.5G or 2G depending on which size is
installed in slot 4. I've blasted it with compressed air, and by now
reseated each stick enough times to be confident it is not installer
error. Since the slot was not in use for the last several years, for all
I know it never worked.

For now, I've removed both half gig sticks, and am running with the two
new 1g strips in slots 1 and 2.
Questions
Is there something else I can try to clear this problem?
In case I can't resolve the slot 4 issue, is it better to run as I am now,
or should I go ahead and install the other two sticks knowing I'll only
get the benefit of the one in slot 3?

Thanks





1) Check your BIOS version and be sure there's not a newer version over at
www.support.dell.com (current version can be noted on the Dell splash
screen at boot)......and,

2) If that is not the cause, then you either have a bad RAM/DIMM socket or a
hardware configuration issue with some other component.

I recall some weird RAM issues with that model generally, but not sure what
combination of hardware might cause what you're seeing.

You can also search the web for that specific symptom.

I assume you've pulled all RAM and attempted to POST/boot the system with
memory in the #4 memory socket only, correct?

-Stew


.

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