Not too sure on which memory needed...

Access

I have a Dell optiplex GX620 i am using as a HTPC...

I have 3 modules of 512mb (DDR2 PC2-4200 Non-ECC 240pin) giving a total of 1.5gb memory at present.

I ordered 2GB(2x1GB) DDR2-533 PC2-4200 Non-ECC Ram from a seller on ebay, which arrived today as i was going to use 2 of the 512mb and the 2 new 1gb modules from ebay to give a total of 3gb RAM in the pc. (mobo max is 4gb RAM but since im running a 32bit version of xp on it, i found after research that 3gb would be max in this config.

The RAM that arrived this morning seems to be DOA... Tested each at a time... one gave me the 2 beeps on startup showing ram failure, and the other just didnt let the pc startup... no screen/bios start etc. (i checked it was sitting correctly and pins etc. but no go... the pc is now back to its original 3 modules of 512mb RAM)

I contacted seller and he says to return them and i should have bought DDR2 PC2-5300 RAM from him as per crucial website specs for my pc...

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=3706B0EEA5CA7304

But,

Dell state i should use DDR2 PC2-6400 and Memoryc.com state i should use DDR2 PC2-4200

Can anyone confirm which i should be using and if the seller is correct on this.

Thanks.

Access

anyone any ideas on this please?

yoyo

Have you looked for a bios update for the computer? The RAM you received should work, the bios should be able to run the RAM at the lower speed however some bios chips are unfortunately more picky than others. It would be rare to get two sticks doa however it is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Nick

Access

I hadnt thought of the bios... might look into that this evening. One is deffo dead though due to the beeps.

I take it that the 4200/5300 and 6400 just stand for speeds of the RAM. The modules of RAM in the PC presently are DDR2 PC2-4200 Non-ECC... so cant understand why the DDR2 PC2-4200 Non-ECC i ordered dont seem to work. (from what it looks like, the RAM modules sent by the ebay seller are used... so could be faulty and unchecked by him).

yoyo

Access wrote: »

I hadnt thought of the bios... might look into that this evening. One is deffo dead though due to the beeps.

I take it that the 4200/5300 and 6400 just stand for speeds of the RAM. The modules of RAM in the PC presently are DDR2 PC2-4200 Non-ECC... so cant understand why the DDR2 PC2-4200 Non-ECC i ordered dont seem to work. (from what it looks like, the RAM modules sent by the ebay seller are used... so could be faulty and unchecked by him).

Correct, the RAM is DDR, DDR2, DDR3 etc. SODIMM if for smaller devices/laptops etc usually. The PC2-XXXX is the manufacturer rated speed, doesn't mean the RAM needs to run at that speed, you could probably overclock some RAM higher than the factory setting also

Nick

Access

Thanks for the help with this nick... i think i am sorted now... seller is sending out new RAM today.

Thanks again.