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    XPS 15 (L502) 6GB => 8GB RAM upgarde = Boot fail?

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by inNout, Mar 25, 2011.

  1. inNout

    inNout Notebook Enthusiast

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    inNout, Mar 25, 2011
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  2. NoSlow5oh

    NoSlow5oh Notebook Evangelist

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    That memory should work fine. First thing I would try, is to download memtest, burn a bootable cd, and run it. It will tell you if something with the memory is failing.

    Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

    If you run just the one 4GB stick from Dell, do you still get errors? Actually try this first. Make sure it's in DIMM slot 1.
     
    NoSlow5oh, Mar 26, 2011
    #2
  3. ZippoMan

    ZippoMan Notebook Evangelist

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    Memtest is the first thing I would run. If the memory is failing that badly the error counter will go up right away. I would also check the BIOS to see how much memory it says you have installed.
     
    ZippoMan, Mar 26, 2011
    #3
  4. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    When you remove the newly installed RAM does it boot normally? Perhaps one of your sticks is bad. Did you properly shut down and not hibernate/sleep your computer?
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Mar 26, 2011
    #4
  5. ZippoMan

    ZippoMan Notebook Evangelist

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    Ok, I just had this exact same problem on my L702x. I installed Kingston Hyper-X in slots 2 and 4. The laptop wouldn't even post or it would go to a black screen after POST. I moved them to slots 1 and 3 and now it seems to be OK. I'm confident they were inserted all the way.
     
    ZippoMan, Mar 26, 2011
    #5
  6. inNout

    inNout Notebook Enthusiast

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    I ran the test and the RAM checked out fine.

    I bought the RAM from newegg... would they exchange it for another brand?
    I never had this kind of issue with RAM.
     
    inNout, Mar 30, 2011
    #6
  7. ZippoMan

    ZippoMan Notebook Evangelist

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    Does the Dell POST screen not appear when you power it on?

    This might sound weird, but unplug any USB devices you have connected, and see if it boots.
     
    ZippoMan, Apr 9, 2011
    #7
  8. inNout

    inNout Notebook Enthusiast

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    I tried and it didn't do anything.
    I've returned the memory. I just need to find something that WILL work with this laptop for sure.
     
    inNout, Apr 12, 2011
    #8
  9. acuraintegralove

    acuraintegralove Notebook Consultant

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    what's the make and model of the stock 4 GB Dimm that came in yours?
     
    acuraintegralove, Apr 12, 2011
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  10. NoSlow5oh

    NoSlow5oh Notebook Evangelist

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    NoSlow5oh, Apr 13, 2011
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  11. mavericke

    mavericke Notebook Consultant

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    mavericke, Apr 13, 2011
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  12. loaded12

    loaded12 Notebook Enthusiast

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    EDIT: Sorry just read that you tried reseating it a few times. I'd definitely try out memtest86+ and return it to newegg.

    Whenever I get a boot error when replacing or removing ram (especially from a notebook) I always completely replace it and remove it a few times (at least 3). Ram can be very finicky in the way it's seated. Seems simple but idk how many times I've taken an entire laptop apart, put it back together then reassembled it again because of a simple problem with the ram not being seated properly.

    If you haven't tried it yet, then do it! lol
     
    loaded12, Apr 13, 2011
    #12
  13. Ton-80

    Ton-80 Notebook Geek

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    Ton-80, Apr 14, 2011
    #13