Dell Inspiron 8000 problem...system goes blank with 512 MB (256x2) Crucial RAM, works fine with just 256 MB

[UCBPhantom]

Please help, I'm freaking out: Just received my new Dell Inspiron 8000. I ordered it with 128 MB and upgraded to 512 with Crucial (mobo has 2 slots, 256MB/slot max of 144 SODIMM PC100). I purchased it with the Nvidia GeForce2Go.

If I run the computer with all 512 MB of memory, sometimes it shuts down. This used to happen when I started any graphics-intensive app, such as the Nvidia Demos off their CD or MadOnion.com's 3DMark2001 suite, RIGHT when it tried to switch modes. I upped to Windows XP RC1, and it seems to be even more unstable with 512 MB Ram...

The strange thing is, everything works perfectly with just one of those RAM chips...or even with 1 256 MB chip + 1 64 MB(that came with the comp). It's only when both chips are installed that problems occur.

I have the latest drivers, seem to have done EVERYTHING correctly, and it simply won't be stable on all 512 MB.

I can't narrow down the problem...I called Crucial, they tell me it's an OS thing...and I doubt it's the RAM itself because the system works fine with just one of those chips (regardless of which one). Dell says it won't support this problem because the RAM isn't theirs (no kidding...1 stick of 256 MB costs $260 from dell vs. $91 from Crucial). I made sure to purchase memory especially for the Inspiron 8000.

I don't think it's a video card problem because sometimes it shuts down randomly...without any graphics running. Furthermore, I was able to play a DVD just fine.

I am thinking it may be overheating with the extra RAM, but can't figure out WHY...their systems support 512 MB... Or maybe it has something to do with ACPI.

At any rate, I would REALLY appreciate any help or suggestsions...and thanks in advance for helping out.

 

[bevancoleman]

<< ..Crucial, they tell me it's an OS thing.. >>


That sounds like a cop out



<< I am thinking it may be overheating with the extra RAM, but can't figure out WHY...their systems support 512 MB... Or maybe it has something to do with ACPI. >>


Not likly, overheating is't a huge problem with memmory and ACPI has nothing to do with your memory. Most of ACPI problems are infact problems with the hardware or drivers (Creative in particular).

Memory is a very touchy beast, if you know you where going to buy the Dell machine an increase it's memory you should have got it without any memory.

There are serveral posable problems/solutions that I see

Memory sometimes dosn't like working with other sticks, it's always best to have a single stick. However even then you should be able to stick one in slot 1 and the other in slot 3.

Bad stick of ram (it's possable, the mem test at startup is fairly lame). Use a tester like MemTest86, note that if there is a conflict this may identity as a faulty stick even though it isn't.

I sure there are others I havn't listed

 

[Bglad]

Try each stick individually to determine if one of the sticks is bad or if it only fails when they are used together. Maybe one is faulty.

 

[UCBPhantom]

i did -- they are fine...this seems to be a known issue with the i8000...512 MB and GeForce2Go don't mix well...Crucial and Dell are looking into it.