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Non-removable RAM? HELP?!

Hi guys,

I have a Dell 2200 Inspiron laptop that's almost 2 years old now, and I think it's due a RAM upgrade, hopefully to around 1gb.

Now, when I ran Crucial it said that I had two slots, and could have a max of 1280. This made sense, as when my Dad bought the computer for me, it had a basic RAM of 256mb but Dell were doing one of those special offers where they doubled it for free. So I have 512mb (or really 504mb according to the system screen).

I know that I need pc2700 200pin RAM, and the Crucial price seems fairly reasonable. However, I came across a bit of a problem when I went onto the Dell website's system checker to compare prices for the 1gb. Dell did a system scan and said I had one slot available - Crucial said two. Who do I believe?!

My next problem, is that the one thing Dell and Crucial agreed on was the fact that 256mb was non-removable. Great. So what do I do if I only have one slot? Does that mean I can't upgrade it? What about the extra 256 that Dell gave me? Can I take all the RAM out and just put in 1gb? That way I should still have 256mb that they deem to be the minimum...

I've tried ringing Dell but they're truly hopeless...

Thank you :frown:

I'm too scared to open my computer and fiddle with it - was going to ask a Comp Sci person to do it for me. Would this be the only way of finding out exactly how many slots I have?

Reply 1

Angelharpist

And now Dell is lying to me again by saying that I DO have two slots:

From the System scanny thingy:
Memory
Available Memory 3.828 %
Page File Size 1544.5Mb
Available Page File 25.72 %
Virtual Memory 2047.8Mb
Available Virtual Memory 97.99 %
Memory Slot 1 [System Board Memory] 256Mb
Memory Slot 2 [DIMM_B] 256Mb

Memory
Memory Slot 1 [System Board Memory] 256Mb
Memory Slot 2 [DIMM_B] 256Mb

Now, will these two different slots be located in different places? If so, where do I find the non-removable, and the removable?

:frown:

Reply 2

pghstochaj

You have two slots, one is non-upgradable (256 mb) and the other is. Currently you also have an additional 256 mb stick in the removable slot. You will need to remove this and stick in either 512 mb or 1 gb into that slot.

Reply 3

Angelharpist

And lo and behold, a second Dell system scan says I have ONE slot.

Oh for god's sake... :mad:

Thanks Paul :smile:

I'm tempted by the Crucial 1gb on Ebuyer for £40 atm, seems rather cheap!

Reply 4

pghstochaj

Don't forget google checkout discount on ebuyer. I've not checked if it will work in your machine but if you look on ebuyer for code: 119282

That will come out at £23 delivered with the discount I believe.

Reply 5

Mr Catbert

Yes... You would only have 1 slot. Hence 256Mb onboard Plus 1024Mb Card = 1280Mb

Reply 6

Angelharpist

pghstochaj

Yeah, I always use Google checkout on ebuyer :smile:

The RAM in question is most definitely compatible (as long as I do in fact have a second slot!), and with VAT, delivery, plus a £10 discount, it comes to £50ish. Not too shabby...

Need to buy myself a small set of screwdrivers so I can actually open up the machine and check exactly how many slots I do have! There's a memory slot in the bottom of my laptop, but where would the second one be if it's not in there? My friend seemed to think hers was under the keyboard (sounds very scary to do myself!)...

Reply 7

pghstochaj

It should be cheaper than that for 1gb or am I missing something?

With the one I gave the code for above, it comes out at £23.08 delivered using google checkout for 1gb - the maximum you can add.

Some are under keyboard, some under a small flap on the base etc. it just depends. I will see if I can find out where your slot might be :smile:

Reply 8

Angelharpist

Mr Catbert

Yes... You would only have 1 slot. Hence 256Mb onboard Plus 1024Mb Card = 1280Mb

So I can't install anymore than I already have?
I've only got 512mb at the moment... :frown:

Reply 9

pghstochaj

You can, you just have to remove the removable 256 mb stick you already have in so you will have 1280 mb like stated above (assuming you add a 1gb stick).

Reply 10

Angelharpist

God, I'm sounding really really thick, oh dear...

What I don't get, is if there's only 1 slot, and the 256 chip is nonremovable, where does the other 1024 go? :frown:

Reply 11

pghstochaj

There's 2 slots, don't worry. One is not really a slot as the chip is non-removable. There's a second slot which you currently have a second 256mb chip in, you will need to swap that with a 1gb chip to upgrade :smile:

Reply 12

Angelharpist

SOLVED!

Had to wait over an hour to chat online with a Dell representative, but she was v helpful - apparently the 256 nonremovable is fixed onto the motherboard, and the other slot is on the bottom of the computer, and I can upgrade with 1024mb :smile:

Thankies Paul and Mr Catbert (rep for the name alone!)

Reply 13

pghstochaj

Glad you have sorted it out. Fitting a SODIMM is easy, especially if the slot is on the bottom of the PC. Just make sure you get the best value RAM.

Reply 14

Angelharpist

Yeah, I upgraded the RAM on my Dad's Toshiba a little while ago and that was far more complicated - having to lift out the keyboard etc...

Problem is, my RAM is gonna be expensive 'cause it's a weird 'un - pc2700 200 pin. Seems to be reasonable on ebuyer at the moment...

Reply 15

pghstochaj

I don't think you need to get that specific type though, any 200 pin in excess of PC2700 will work but it will downclock to your maximum speed?

Ah I just checked again, your laptop is DDR and not DDR2, DDR2 is much cheaper than DDR, hence why you're paying more :frown:

Reply 16

pghstochaj

Just to warn you, the google discount is ending on the 10th so buy sooner rather than later :smile:

Reply 17

Mr Catbert

Also, word of warning. Make sure you check very very carefully when you use google checkout, since it is all handled through google. So make sure you get your billing and delivery addys right :smile:

Best of Luck.
Glad you liked the name :wink: