Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM

Original Message

Name: RWD1996
Date: October 15, 2007 at 11:48:37 Pacific
Subject: Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM
OS: Windows XP
CPU/Ram: Pentium 3 900MHz / 256MB
Model/Manufacturer: Dell Optiplex GX150

Comment:

My friend bought some new RAM for his computer. According to my research he bought the right kind, PC133 SDRAM 64x64 Unbuffered 512MB. However the computer won't POST when it's installed. He says that his brother-in-law has the same exact memory installed on his Optiplex, and it works fine. He also says though that his brother-in-law's P3 CPU is faster (1.2 GHz). He's made sure it's installed properly. He's tried all slots, but it won't boot. What do you think could be the problem? Thanks for any replies.
If Jesus God Himself said in the Bible that He was the Way, why wouldn't it be true?

Report Offensive Message For Removal

Response Number 1

Name: Jennifer SUMN
Date: October 15, 2007 at 11:58:49 Pacific
Subject: Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM

Reply: (edit)

According to Crucial, this board will handle two banks of 256 32x64.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listpa...
Not all Optiplex's are created equal. :)
Life's more painless for the brainless.

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 2

Name: RWD1996
Date: October 15, 2007 at 12:16:33 Pacific
Subject: Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM

Reply: (edit)

Thanks Jennifer for the reply, that's what I thought too but wanted to make sure.
If Jesus God Himself said in the Bible that He was the Way, why wouldn't it be true?

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 3

Name: wemby089
Date: October 15, 2007 at 12:18:04 Pacific
Subject: Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM

Reply: (edit)

Try the ram in your "friend`s" brother inlaws machine and then post back. Also look for the latest bios upgrade and see if any of the changes affected the memory size

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 4

Name: RWD1996
Date: October 15, 2007 at 12:19:11 Pacific
Subject: Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM

Reply: (edit)

My friend wants to know if there's a way to get it to recognize that RAM without paying anything like a BIOS update? I doubt it completely but is this possible? Thanks.
If Jesus God Himself said in the Bible that He was the Way, why wouldn't it be true?

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 5

Name: OtheHill
Date: October 15, 2007 at 13:14:38 Pacific
Subject: Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM

Reply: (edit)

BIOS update probably won't do any good. When the MBoard was designed the memory that was in the pipeline or soon to be deleivered is what the makers used to design the memory controllers. You can't change the memory controllers. You need to find memory with lower chip density as Jennifer has pinted out.
Also read the manual, there may be an upper limit on the capacity of each slot and of the board as a whole.
Crucial.com
Newegg.com
Kingston.com
All the above sites have memory configurators. Enter the information for the computer and it will tell you what will work.

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal


Windows won't detect sound card OptiPlex GX150 won't turn on Won't detect hard drive Wireless G notebook won't detect Won't detect second hard drive	BIOS won't detect my Hardwares! Upgraded RAM, now cd-rom won't work Pc won't detect pctel platinum v.90 Windows won't detect Audigy 2 ZS Can't detect new video card

Response Number 6

Name: RWD1996
Date: October 15, 2007 at 13:57:10 Pacific
Subject: Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM

Reply: (edit)

I figured that a BIOS update wouldn't help. Thanks everyone for their replies!!
If Jesus God Himself said in the Bible that He was the Way, why wouldn't it be true?

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 7

Name: cliffpage
Date: October 15, 2007 at 14:33:23 Pacific
Subject: Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM

Reply: (edit)

I have found that Dell PCs can be very picky in ram , sometimes ram that works fine in other makes of PC just wont work in a Dell even though the spec says they should

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 8

Name: OtheHill
Date: October 15, 2007 at 14:39:31 Pacific
Subject: Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM

Reply: (edit)

The specs call for less dense chips on the module.

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 9

Name: jam
Date: October 15, 2007 at 14:55:06 Pacific
Subject: Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM

Reply: (edit)

Jennifer gave the correct answer in response #1 & backed it up with a link to Crucial. 512MB sticks won't work:
"Each memory slot can hold SDRAM, PC133 with a maximum of 256MB per slot."

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 10

Name: RWD1996
Date: October 15, 2007 at 15:47:17 Pacific
Subject: Optiplex GX150 won't detect new RAM

Reply: (edit)

Thanks, you all have been so helpful as usual!
If Jesus God Himself said in the Bible that He was the Way, why wouldn't it be true?

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal