[Ham-Computers] RAM PROBLEM

[nn6o]

Gene, I'm not sure if you want to invest too much $$$ or effort into any
1150/5100/5150/5160 series Dell.  They are known to be problematic (I have two
dead ones sitting right next to me) and all usually fail due to heat-related
issues (again, see previous post - I actually didn't even know about the
class-action mentioned earlier until this past week - just thought it was
typical Dell quality control).  My previous employer switched from being a
Compaq/HP house to a Dell house as the new "parent" company was a HUGE Dell
client (as well as a being a penny-pinching micro-managing Fortune 5 company).
We saw repair rates go from 3 or 4 a month with HP/Compaq to 3 or 4 a week
with Dell.  But they were about 30% cheaper and that's where the parent
company focuses - on the bottom line...share-holder value.

Just for reference, as Jeff mentioned, there could be a component difference
between the two 1150's you have.  Components aren't available forever and
changes are inevitable.  Intel uses "stepping" numbers to donate a change
within the same line.  Newer steppings might fix a problem, include a
new/different feature, or both - but the product name stays the same.  Don't
get me started on monitor/TV panels.  The Samsung model XYZ 20-inch monitor
you buy may not be the same Samsung model XYZ 20-inch monitor that was got
glowing reviews - same exact model number, but the LCD panel itself might be
from a different manufacturer.  Viewsonic is king of this tactic (and I was a
HUGE Viewsonic fan until I got burned by this same model but different
panel/tube thing.  "Everybody does it", but I feel it's just a big deception.
They point to car manufacturers using the same name for new cars.  However, in
their case, at least the year is part of the model name - not so with TV's and
Monitors.

Anyways, I digress.  It's possible one of your 1150's has a northbridge
(memory controller) that supports higher density RAM chips.  It could be
something else.  It could just be old (and it is!). =P

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O
    {nn6o}@arrl.net


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 10:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] RAM PROBLEM

Aaron:

Many thanks for the info!

I have another Dell 1150 so I took the two 512 chips from the first machine
and installed in the 'new' one; Viola! (So I thought) it showed the full 1 GB
of ram.  Then, after about five minutes of operation I got a BSOD. 
Rebooted and got memory errors.
Installed a 256 chip and all is FB now!

The thing I do not understand is why it showed 512 in the first machine  and
1GB in the second when both machines are identical?

I guess I will order two 512 chips from Crucial today. . . .

Gene, WØQFC

www.genes-garage-sale.com