Laptop RAM Upgrade Help Needed

[eklmu]

My laptop currently has 128MB OEM in slot one, slot two is empty and was where I'm trying to upgrade. Here's what I've tried.

128MB slot 1, 512MB slot 2 = 448MB
512MB slot 1, 128MB slot 2 = 448MB
512MB slot 1, 0MB slot 2 = 448MB
0MB slot 1, 512MB slot 2 = 512MB (window doesn't boot though)

Any idea what's going on? I think I've tried everything, so I'm at a loss right now.

Here's a picture of the error message I get. I have no idea what this means.
http://www.antihero.us/files/Memory.jpg

Anyway, I'm running memtest86 right now, but even the program only recognizes 448MB. I don't know if the RAM is defective or just not compatible with the system.

The memory is a 512MB PC133 144-pin SO-DIMM made by Axiom. I was looking at Axiom's website this morning. They have a 4100 listed along with a 4000 series.

Manufacturer: Dell
Model: Inspiron 4100
Central Processor (CPU): 1.0 - 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium III
Standard Memory: 128 MB (removable)
Maximum Memory: 1024 MB
System Class: Laptops
Expansion: 2 sockets
Comments: PC133 SODIMMs

Manufacturer: Dell
Model: Inspiron 4000 Series
Central Processor (CPU): Intel Pentium III 600MHz-900MHz or Intel Mobile Celeron 600MHz-700MHz
Standard Memory: 32MB, 64MB or 128MB (removable)
Maximum Memory: 512MB
System Class: Laptops
Expansion: 2 sockets
Comments: PC100 SDRAM SODIMMs.

The thing is my CPU is a PIII 866MHz, so going by CPU it would be a 4000 series. But the RAM already in there is labled as being PC133 on the sticker and my laptop case says Inspiron 4100 on it. So it should be a 4100 and it should be able to recognize up to 1 GB. Only way to get 1 GB would be to recognize 2 512 sticks or 1 1GB stick so it should work. I can't figure this out.

Any help or expertise would be appreciated. Thank you and happy new year.

 

[eklmu]

^

 

[boshuter]

Looks to me like you have 4000 and it just won't take more than 512mb. Just because your 128mb is pc133 doesn't really mean anything, most pc133 will run at pc100 just fine. The reason your single 512mb won't work by itself is probably a high/low density issue. Best you can do is probably get 2 low density 256mb chips or a 512mb that will work.

 

[montag451]

Also looks like you've got onboard VGA using 64megs of your RAM.
If you go into BIOS, you might be able to make this only use 32MB.

ALso, probably BIOS may need upgrading

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: montag451
Also looks like you've got onboard VGA using 64megs of your RAM.
If you go into BIOS, you might be able to make this only use 32MB.

:thumbsup: