I've been running two 512mb chips in this machine for over 2 years with no problem. A friend has the same computer and upgreaded his with the same memory, problem is that (and this is the weird part) the computer works great when you first turn it on but won't reboot, you have to leave it off overnight then it works great. Thinking he had a bad memory mod. we took his memory and put it in my computer. Now the good part, for some reason now only one socket in my Dell works if I put too chips in, the computers lights will come on for about 6 seconds and then just turn off. Can a socket go bad by just changing the memory. And belive me the upmost care was taken when changing the memory. Or can a bad memory stick cause the socket to go bad.

Did all your friens's memory work in your computer? Is the memory the same type? Did you unplug the computer and discharge the static from your body before changing the memory? If not, then yes things can go bad from just changing the memory. Since your friend removed and replaced his memory is the computer still acting the same when warm? Have your friend reseat all cards and cables.

"A friend has the same computer and upgreaded his with the same memory,.... " If it isn't identical memory to yours, the same brand and module ID number(s), you may think it is compatible with your computer but it may not be, and it sounds like it isn't. See response 5 in this for some info about ram compatibilty, and some places where you can find out what will work in your mboard for sure: http://www.computing.net/hardware/w... Correction to that: Mushkin www.mushkin.com Bad memory modules are extremely rare unless they have been damaged by something external to them, or damaged by installing or removing them without removing the AC power to the case/PS (the circuits connected to ram slots can be damaged by the latter as well). However, it is quite possible for there to be poor connections between the module(s) and the ram slots, producing memory errors. See response 2 in this - try cleaning the contacts on the ram modules. http://www.computing.net/hardware/w... ..... "...the computer works great when you first turn it on but won't reboot, you have to leave it off overnight then it works great." That is more likely to be a problem with the power supply. Check the PS. See response 4 in this: http://www.computing.net/hardware/w...