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    Uncompatible RAM?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by emrldwpn, May 13, 2006.

  1. emrldwpn

    emrldwpn Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just recieved my Buffalo Select DDR2 PC4200 512MB SODIMM for my Dell XPS M140 laptop, and within five minutes of booting up the system crashes.

    I browsed these forums, and there seems to be an issue with certain manufacturers of RAM that could cause problems. I checked the Dell web site and DDR2 PC4200 ram should be compatible with this laptop.

    Does anyone know what could be the problem? If it is really the manufacturer that is the problem, is there a list of some kind so I don't purchase the wrong type again?
     
    emrldwpn, May 13, 2006
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  2. lku

    lku Notebook Consultant

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    I suggest you do some troubleshooting first. 1 make sure that the ram is seated correctly. 2 run memtest overnight to check if the ram has problems. 3 if memtest detects problems, try removing the new one and retest, if no errors are found, then your new ram has problems and will have to be returned.

    Hope this helps.
     
    lku, May 13, 2006
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  3. emrldwpn

    emrldwpn Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for you reply.

    I don't even have time to run memtest. It crashes 30sec-2min after bootup. Once I removed the ram though, everything is working perfectly.

    If I have to return it, do you know what brand/type of memory I should purchase to avoid this situation again?
     
    emrldwpn, May 13, 2006
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  4. ejl

    ejl fudge

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    kingston and crucial are two very good ram companies.
     
    ejl, May 13, 2006
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  5. emrldwpn

    emrldwpn Notebook Enthusiast

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    But is the problem that it is cheap ram, froma certain manufacturer, or is it because it is a certain "type" that is incompatible?
     
    emrldwpn, May 13, 2006
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  6. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Cheap RAM is one of the main causes of such crashes. The XPS M140 should be compatible with any sort of DDR2 RAM upto 533MHz(PC 5300). If you are still looking for some cheaper RAM,then look for Crucial, Corsair Value select RAM as these tend to be better than other generic versions.
     
    miner, May 13, 2006
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  7. emrldwpn

    emrldwpn Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is the ram defective, or does the laptop merely require higher standards? (i.e. can I claim it is a defective item?)
     
    emrldwpn, May 13, 2006
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  8. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Try singling out the RAM module and that is the best way to test for defective RAM. Sometimes some laptops might be picky about the RAM used but I haven't heard anyone complain about it for the XPS M140 series. If you can try running the RAM in another laptop and see if you can reproduce the same results. Then you can certainly claim a refund for defective RAM. Also most stores will take back RAM if it fails and if you are unable to run it on your laptop.
     
    miner, May 14, 2006
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  9. otaku

    otaku Notebook Deity

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    I would suggest exchanging this for some corsair or crucial. Test it on another PC to determine if its the pc if not its the ram then replace.

    Never even heard of this brand until you brought them up.
     
    otaku, May 14, 2006
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  10. emrldwpn

    emrldwpn Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok, sending email to Tigerdirect right now...
     
    emrldwpn, May 14, 2006
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  11. dudesdudets

    dudesdudets Notebook Deity

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    Buffalo is a very famous Ram manufacturer in Japan...
     
    dudesdudets, May 14, 2006
    #11