Popped in additional RAM chip; Now getting error

[BBCMember]

I decided to add more RAM to it, as you were right. It can't even survive on 192MB with what is out today. So, I took a 256MB module from an IMB laptop (an older one) and popped it in and this is what I got:

"The amount of system memory has been changed, or the suspend-to-disk file is absent. See "Suspend-to-disk File" in the online User's Guide, for instructions."

I did buy some RAM off of eBay for this and popped it in, but it did not even post. Tried reseating the RAM and everything. So, I sent it back (the guy claimed it was compatible and it wasn't; he did not want to unwrap it to get the model number so he just guessed).

In any case, since it is giving this error, and is booting up to the point where the Windows 2000 progress bar is going across the screen, the RAM seems to be working somewhat.

Just so you know, after it boots up to that screen, it then reboots and does the same thing. And it keeps on doing the same thing until you manually shut it off by holding down the power button.

Ideas?

P.S. It's a Dell Inspiron 7500 laptop

 

[DaveSimmons]

Sounds like you've been sleeping and now you can't wake up.

If your sleep / suspend file was built for 1GB and you now have 2, Windows apparently won't let you restore the old sleep file. You probably just need to F8 boot in safe mode and delete the suspend file, but I too am too lazy to RTFM

 

[Blain]

Did the guy sell you a high density PC-133 SO-DIMM?

 

[BBCMember]

Well, I just found the problem. The RAM that I put in there from the old system is shot. When I ran MemTest86+, INSTANTLY there were tons of errors. And when I say tons, I mean it. It's been running for about 2.5 min so far, and it's already at 410,000 errors, and counting very rapidly. I just stopped the insanity and took it out.

Just tested the RAM that's still in there (one of the original chips), and no errors came up at all with MemTest, at least not right away.

I also booted up the system with that one chip and it booted up fine. I'll have to buy more RAM. And unfortunately, I'll have to buy two sticks and replace both that are in there, because this notebook's RAM capacity is 512MB total, and neither of the chips are 256MB. Possibly 2 512's would work, as I have had that happen with older desktops before, but not sure if I want to go through the hassle of having to return them if they don't work.

Btw, if the systems's specs say it can only handle 256MB chips, but it can really handle 512 (it was just that 512's didn't exist when they did the specs for the system), will crucial note that and offer the 512's, or will they only go by the specs?

No, Blain, the guy sold me low density (chips on both sides) chips. However, they just were not compatible or they were bad. I doubt they were bad, as he has 100% feedback on ebay, and said that they were pulled from a working system. But you never know.

 

[DaveSimmons]

The Crucial.com memory selector will tell you the maximum currentlcapacity, not capacity when the PC was first made. They'll also guarantee their RAM will work but you probably don't want to pay their prices.

You might use them, then scan eBay for those part numbers.

 

[Blain]

Your Dell Inspiron 7500 will only take up to 2 x 256MB sticks.