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Question

Dell Insp 9200 wont boot after memory Upgrade

Jan 5, 2013 1:29AM PST

I recently was "gifted" an Inspiron 9200 and tried to upgrade memory to 2G (said to be max for this unit). But once installed, it will not boot past the black screen with Windows 7 logo. I've already checked that memory sticks are correct and both working individually. I also reloaded/updated BIOS. With both 1G sticks, the F2 screen says memory is 2048MB.(?) Specs: Pentium M 1.60GHz, 32 bit, Windows 7 + SP1,
The computer will run with just one memory stick installed, although the cursor keeps showing the "spinning wheel" as if something as in process.
How can I get this to work with (2) 1G Memory Cards?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
IS the BIOS current?
Jan 5, 2013 3:22AM PST

Sometimes you find the BIOS must be current to support the memory sticks.

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(NT) yes, BIOS was updated
Jan 5, 2013 9:19PM PST
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Answer
I'd try sticks from Crucial.com next.
Jan 5, 2013 1:35AM PST

Some machines need specific sticks. Your new upgrader may expect sticks to work if they plug in.

Some folk crack the solder on the sockets by applying too much force and then the old sticks fail. Or they swap them a few hundred times in hope. I've learned to try sticks from crucial since they do all the homework about the specs.
Bob

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Sticks are OK
Jan 5, 2013 3:12AM PST

Sticks I purchased ARE by Crucial and their sit confirms compatibility. I doubt any damage since it was working before and everything slipped into place as I'd expect... easily. Plus, using either stick in either slot will work.

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Then the PC needs repairs.
Jan 5, 2013 3:21AM PST

It's usually the motherboard that gets swapped out. It's an older PC so not unexpected at all.
Bob

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Just curious
Jan 5, 2013 5:36AM PST

"Sticks I purchased ARE by Crucial"

Does that mean you went to crucial.com and bought the sticks they recommended?

Does that mean you went somewhere else and bought crucial sticks?

"and their sit confirms compatibility"

Just because it fits in the slot does not mean it's the proper ram.

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sorry for typo.
Jan 5, 2013 9:39PM PST

sorry for typo... I meant to say "Sticks I purchased ARE by Crucial and their SITE confirms compatibility. I reviewed specs from here and Crucial (and did run the Crucial system analyzer) and bought memory sticks through Egghead (a bit less expensive).

Specs all said 2G is max memory capacity (2 x 1G sticks) .

I also posted this problem on the Dell hardware forums but have not received any responses yet.

One comment I read said I might need to switch to a 64 bit OS... any thoughts on that? Will that impact other operations/programs?

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Link
Jan 5, 2013 11:05PM PST

Can you post a link to these sticks you bought?

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Re: 64 bit OS
Jan 5, 2013 11:32PM PST

That's only necessary if you want to use more that 4 GB of RAM. And it needs a clean install of both the OS and all applications. So I wouldn't do it.

Kees

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Answer
I'd check the Dell hardware forums
Jan 5, 2013 1:38AM PST

The best place to ask would be the Dell hardware forums. Is it possible that your computer only supports 1 GB of RAM? You could run Crucial's memory analyzer to be sure. Just go to http://www.crucial.com and download their memory tool and let it run. It will give you all the details.

Good luck.