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  • #2127280

    Won’t recognize memory

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    by shanghai sam ·

    This is regarding a Windows 95 Pentium II, Dell Dimension XPS 233 that is no longer under warranty. It has 2- 32MB chips or a total of 64MB of RAM. A new 64MB chip was purchased for the remaining slot to increase memory to 128MB. It was first purchased from two different office supply stores, where they identified a compatible chip. Most recently, memory was purchased from Dell. The same problem keeps occurring.

    When Windows tries to boot up it doesn’t count the additional memory and it generates a Windows Protection Error. If the memory chip is swapped with the originals, then it is still not counted and the same message is received. If just the 64MB chip is put in, then the computer won’t even start.

    When the originals are placed back where they started and the new memory is removed, then everything is OK again and no error is generated.

    Is the Windows Protection Error causing the problem? If so what must be done?

    Tried the Dell Diagnostics program and it must have recognized the chip because it tested 128MB of RAM.

    Called Dell and they are sending another chip.

    I am not real hopeful about that fixing the problem. I’m hoping someone out there knows what the problem might be. Please help, any ideas would be appreciated.

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    • #3443214

      Won’t recognize memory

      by saihib ·

      In reply to Won’t recognize memory

      Dell’s software-based diagnostics may have been able to inentify the new memory but it’s pretty apparent that the 64 meg chip isn’t compatible with your hardware. It may just be a bad stick. Have you tried it in another machine?

    • #3443110

      Won’t recognize memory

      by smers ·

      In reply to Won’t recognize memory

      Could be EDO incompatibility, check the BIOS to be sure. Good Luck-Steve

    • #3443104

      Won’t recognize memory

      by maxwell edison ·

      In reply to Won’t recognize memory

      I believe that your computer has the Intel se440bx motherboard. If you don’t have a manual, one can be downloaded at the following site:

      http://www.timesupport.com/timesupport/drivers/motherboards/motherboards.html

      (REMOVE SPACES from the pasted URL.)

      Most motherboards, especially the older ones, are quite particular about the RAM installed. I’ve found that even though it may be “technically” compatible, if all the RAM sticks are not exactly identical they may not be recognized. Furthermore, there are some REQUIRED specifications for the RAM installed in that particular board.

      If you still have the motherboard manual that came with the computer, you’ll find those required specifications. If you don’t have the manual, and if themotherboard I mentioned isn’t the one in you particular case, determine which one is, and do an Internet search for the manual for the correct specifications and configuration options.

      Good luck,

      Maxwell

    • #3442996

      Won’t recognize memory

      by grimreality ·

      In reply to Won’t recognize memory

      What is the maximum allowed size dimm for the motherboard/BIOS. Also have you though about the idea that some bios and boards require that all memory be the same size in order to work.

    • #3425221

      Won’t recognize memory

      by rawright ·

      In reply to Won’t recognize memory

      “If the memory chip is swapped with the originals, then it is still not counted ”

      My first thought was that the BIOS needs to be told that you’ve added memory. While that’s still a possibility, the above sounds as if you have one of the last remaining boards to require memory sticks to be added in pairs. If you can return it, try replacing it with two 32MB sticks, and install them together.

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