Generic PC/Laptop RAM Question

[RCA]

I am trying to upgrade my Bro's Inspiron 5100 (its old, I know)

And I am no computer wiz but I need a definite answer before I buy the wrong thing...

My bro has:Dell Inspirion 5100256mb or 512mb DDR PC2100 184-pinI plan on buying 2gb DDR PC3200

And what I wanted to know is:- Do I have to buy OEM memory speeds (PC2100)?- Is the only thing that matters, when buying ram memory, is the the amounts of "pin" (184-pin)?

I have seen PC2700 & PC3200 memory speeds for 184-pin.- Would the PC3200 be the fastest/best memory to buy?

I know the 32bit Windows Vista can't run over 2gb of ram, My brother has Windows 2000 and I was wondering if there is a maximum rated amount of ram Win 2000 can run?

Any suggestions?

[Beancooker]

Okay, if the comp runs PC2100, you need to keep it that way. It probably won't work if you upgrade the speed.

If you buy memory with the wrong number of pins, it won't go into the slot.

Vista will recognize up to 4 Gigs of memory, (3.5 in the card slots) and most other 32 bit systems will only recognize 3 gigs. You have to remember it will recognize the memory on the video card and sound card, then what is in the memory slots. In my case, I have four, one gig sticks, but my video card has 512 mb and the sound card is 256? mb. So of the four gigs in the card slots, only 3.25 of that is being used.

It is always best to have your memory in pairs (dual channel). You don't want 3 one gig sticks. The slots are set up to run in pairs, but I will bet you only have 2 slots.

[audtatious]

Sorry, max memory for that is 1GB

Maximum Memory: 1GBSpecial notes: Dell Inspiron 5100 must an updated BIOS to version A32 in order to recognize 1GB of ram (two 512MB modules).

[Beancooker]

Time for a newer PC.

[RCA]

Okay, if the comp runs PC2100, you need to keep it that way. It probably won't work if you upgrade the speed.

If you buy memory with the wrong number of pins, it won't go into the slot.

Mm hmm

Vista will recognize up to 4 Gigs of memory, (3.5 in the card slots) and most other 32 bit systems will only recognize 3 gigs. You have to remember it will recognize the memory on the video card and sound card, then what is in the memory slots. In my case, I have four, one gig sticks, but my video card has 512 mb and the sound card is 256? mb. So of the four gigs in the card slots, only 3.25 of that is being used.

Wow, I didn't know the PC recognizes Video and Sound card memory

It is always best to have your memory in pairs (dual channel). You don't want 3 one gig sticks. The slots are set up to run in pairs, but I will bet you only have 2 slots.

Yea, the Inspiron mother board has only two slots. Also duel channel was always the plan

Sorry, max memory for that is 1GB

Maximum Memory: 1GBSpecial notes: Dell Inspiron 5100 must an updated BIOS to version A32 in order to recognize 1GB of ram (two 512MB modules).

Wait a tick...I can't upgrade to 1gb (512mb x2) with out a BIOS upgrade?

Or can I ONLY get up to 1gb (512mb x2) with out the upgrade?

[PorkChopExpress]

http://www.crucial.com/store/l...eries

little late, but good info in here.

[Sentientbydesign]

Let's clear something up here.

DDR SDRAM is backwards compatible with slower speed ratings. So the PC3200 will work in a MB designed for PC2100. HOWEVER, it will only work at the MB's native bus speed. So the PC3200 will run at PC2100 speeds which is good if you want to use the RAM in this computer and have it available for a faster rig in the future.

[audtatious]

Wait a tick...I can't upgrade to 1gb (512mb x2) with out a BIOS upgrade?

Or can I ONLY get up to 1gb (512mb x2) with out the upgrade?

You need the BIOS upgrade to support 1GB of RAM.

[RCA]

You need the BIOS upgrade to support 1GB of RAM.

Wow I only waited like a month for a responce to that...

Really appriciated.

How do I get a bios upgrade?And how do I use/install it?

Let's clear something up here.

DDR SDRAM is backwards compatible with slower speed ratings. So the PC3200 will work in a MB designed for PC2100. HOWEVER, it will only work at the MB's native bus speed. So the PC3200 will run at PC2100 speeds which is good if you want to use the RAM in this computer and have it available for a faster rig in the future.

I figured it was compatable but I don't have plans to use it on any other MB. But this is just cool to know. Appriciate the responce guys!

[audtatious]

You should be able to go to Dell online and go through their support link/driver section to find driver/BIOS upgrades. When you find the upgrade it should have some form of a readme to tell you how to go about doing the update.

[RCA]

Hey guys back again.After the responses you guys gave me I gave up on the 2GB RAM...

But I will now be going for a 1GB upgrade. I decided to go through the process of re-flashing my brothers bios to the A32 version.Dell Support: Update the Dell™ Inspiron™ 1100 and 5100 System BIOS

So I follow the directions and the process stops here:

Apparently some one tried to fix my brothers NB a few years back and used a different bios (assumption)?After this person "fixed" my brothers NB, it started up by asking the user which OS to use. The options were labeled with the EXACT same title and there is a 30sec count down. If nothing it chosen then it loads the default OS. I have clicked both options and it loads the same exact things. Nothing changes.If that sounds weird I can take a picture if you want.

So my question is...1) Can I over ride this "Running on an unsupported system" so I can load the upgrade.2) Or do I have to load the original Dell Inspiron 5100 BIOS (assuming it has been changed) then run the update?

Your responses will be much appreciated

[Beancooker]

Phoenix Technologies is okay. Thay make a lot of BIOS...

I really don't want to give you bad info here. If it was me, I would flash the BIOS to the stock BIOS. But if it fails for whatever reason, you very well may be s**t out of luck.

A safe plan would be to restart the PC, and hit "del" or "F4" or whatever is needed to see the setup menu.

Take note as to the version of BIOS that is currently running. Download that version and save it on a flash drive. That way if for whatever reason the stock BIOS doesn't work, you can revert back to what you know does work, via the flash drive.

Why are you reflashing the BIOS anyways?

I would try installing the extra memory FIRST, then go to your start button, right click "computer" click "properties" on the drop down menu. Look and see how much RAM you have. If it shows all the memory installed, you don't need to reflash.

And if the PC gives you the BSOD (blue screen of death), take the memory out, put it back to how it was and then reflash the BIOS.

Hope this helps. Post up if you have anymore questions. I'll be watching this thread all day tomorrow while at work.

[PoorManQ45]

Working for dell I would not recommend updating that bios unless you can easily replace the laptop.

I large jump like that can easily kill the motherboard

Depending on the age of the system, if it was before july, 2004 you have lifetime phone support. If it is older then this call into technical support and ask them to walk you through updating the bios.

The official stance is if you are doing something that a dedll representative walks you through doing and it damages any component that it is covered, even on out of warranty systems.

[PoorManQ45]

Note, that particular system will not POST with 1gb of memory without the bios update.

[RCA]

Phoenix Technologies is okay. Thay make a lot of BIOS...

I really don't want to give you bad info here. If it was me, I would flash the BIOS to the stock BIOS. But if it fails for whatever reason, you very well may be s**t out of luck.

Well I figured that was the best route to take BUT I cant find the OEM Dell bios. Where could I go to DL it?

A safe plan would be to restart the PC, and hit "del" or "F4" or whatever is needed to see the setup menu.

Take note as to the version of BIOS that is currently running. Download that version and save it on a flash drive. That way if for whatever reason the stock BIOS doesn't work, you can revert back to what you know does work, via the flash drive.

Where can I get info on this "Flash drive" you speak of? Or did you just mean any type of save able media?

Why are you reflashing the BIOS anyways?

BECAUSE:

You need the BIOS upgrade to support 1GB of RAM.

That and I checked on other forums...

I would try installing the extra memory FIRST, then go to your start button, right click "computer" click "properties" on the drop down menu. Look and see how much RAM you have. If it shows all the memory installed, you don't need to reflash.

That was my first step. I started the NB up and it made 4 beeps, then the hard drive stopped spinning followed by the hard drive running and a constant black screen.So I think it is safe to say I need to reflash to A32

Working for dell I would not recommend updating that bios unless you can easily replace the laptop.

I large jump like that can easily kill the motherboard

Replacing the NB isnt on my list =(I wish it was ::SIGH::

Also can a ram upgrade really mess with the hard where? Is it due to the extra heat?

Depending on the age of the system, if it was before july, 2004 you have lifetime phone support. If it is older then this call into technical support and ask them to walk you through updating the bios.

The official stance is if you are doing something that a dedll representative walks you through doing and it damages any component that it is covered, even on out of warranty systems.

Hmm I will definitly check into that. That sounds like my best bet

Hope this helps. Post up if you have anymore questions. I'll be watching this thread all day tomorrow while at work.

ALSO thank you for your responces Mr. Cooker and Mr. PoorMan

[Beancooker]

Flash drive: http://www.amazon.com/USB-Flas...51491

I think you linked me to the DL for the OEM BIOS. I can't see, because I am at work.

I'll check this out more when I get home.

[Sentientbydesign]

Beaner,

My concern would be that the system might be so old that it can't read flash memory outside of windows.

Most of the bios flashing in the "old days" (how am I saying that?) was done via floppy disk

Rcabrita,

Go to dell's website and search for your system via the serial number or other ID on the service tag...actually, I think you can search by service tag number too.

That should allow you to see exactly what was initially installed on that system. It should also show which bios updates are available. I STRONGLY suggest that you print out the directions just in case they are lengthy and the process isn't automated.

[nnorton44]

With a PC that old I highly doubt it will read a flash drive to run a BIOS update....

Check out this site: http://www.bay-wolf.com/flashbios.htm

[Beancooker]

Wow, I had never even thought about it being too old to read a flash drive. That sucks.

I know you're trying to make good with an old PC, but really, check this out... it's the Dell outlet. Good prices...

http://www.dell.com/outlet?dgc...61008

[RCA]

Wow, I had never even thought about it being too old to read a flash drive. That sucks.

I know you're trying to make good with an old PC, but really, check this out... it's the Dell outlet. Good prices...

http://www.dell.com/outlet?dgc...61008

^^^^ and that pretty much sums this thread up.

Thanks for the help.It seems like to much work...

But if I get bored I might have some more questions...

THANKS EVERYBODY!