I took 1gb module out of a brand new Dell Optiplex 320 and put it in a
slightly older Dell 320.
The memory is recognized in the BIOS but is not reported in Windows XP Pro
SP2.
The older Dell 320 had one 1gb PC4200 module in it.
The new Dell 320 module was 1gb PC5300.
The bios reports 1gb in socket 1, and 1gb in socket 3 (that how they are
numbered in this system that only has two memory module sockets).
Windows reports only 1gb total.
Swaped the location so the modules but had the same problem.
Used each individually and they worked ok.
Updated the BIOS but still had the problem.
Dell online chat support resulted in them wanting to replace the
motherboard.
Does anyone have some insight on this? Is it trying to use the same
capacity modules in dual mode but then disabling one since they are not
identical speeds.
Never saw this problem before.
Thanks for any insight on this matter.
--
Rich/rerat
(RRR News) <message rule>
<<Previous Text Snipped to Save Bandwidth When Appropriate>>
"Christopher Muto" <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:13lf9i8kprc94c3@corp.supernews.com...
I took 1gb module out of a brand new Dell Optiplex 320 and put it in a
slightly older Dell 320.
The memory is recognized in the BIOS but is not reported in Windows XP Pro
SP2.
The older Dell 320 had one 1gb PC4200 module in it.
The new Dell 320 module was 1gb PC5300.
The bios reports 1gb in socket 1, and 1gb in socket 3 (that how they are
numbered in this system that only has two memory module sockets).
Windows reports only 1gb total.
Swaped the location so the modules but had the same problem.
Used each individually and they worked ok.
Updated the BIOS but still had the problem.
Dell online chat support resulted in them wanting to replace the
motherboard.
Does anyone have some insight on this? Is it trying to use the same
capacity modules in dual mode but then disabling one since they are not
identical speeds.
Never saw this problem before.
Thanks for any insight on this matter.
I'd guess it just doesn't like mismatched RAM since it wants to DDR2 it
(so to speak)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Christopher Muto [mailto:muto@worldnet.att.net]
> Posted At: Thursday, December 06, 2007 2:36 AM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: Optiplex 320 RAM Not reconized by Windows
> Subject: Optiplex 320 RAM Not reconized by Windows
>
> I took 1gb module out of a brand new Dell Optiplex 320 and put it in a
> slightly older Dell 320.
> The memory is recognized in the BIOS but is not reported in Windows XP
> Pro
> SP2.
> The older Dell 320 had one 1gb PC4200 module in it.
> The new Dell 320 module was 1gb PC5300.
> The bios reports 1gb in socket 1, and 1gb in socket 3 (that how they
> are
> numbered in this system that only has two memory module sockets).
> Windows reports only 1gb total.
> Swaped the location so the modules but had the same problem.
> Used each individually and they worked ok.
> Updated the BIOS but still had the problem.
> Dell online chat support resulted in them wanting to replace the
> motherboard.
> Does anyone have some insight on this? Is it trying to use the same
> capacity modules in dual mode but then disabling one since they are
not
> identical speeds.
> Never saw this problem before.
> Thanks for any insight on this matter.
But I believe they're the same machine! N just means it came without
Windows.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rich/rerat [mailto:rrr_news@isp.com]
> Posted At: Thursday, December 06, 2007 4:28 AM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: Optiplex 320 RAM Not reconized by Windows
> Subject: Re: Optiplex 320 RAM Not reconized by Windows
>
> Christopher Muto,
> There is two models for the Optiplex320. The older 320 can not use the
> newer
> RAM stick, as reported by www.crucial.com .
>
> Dell Optiplex "320" can handle the DDR2 PC2-4200 Ram sticks:
> http://crucial.com/store/listparts.a...OptiPlex%20320
>
> Dell Optiplex "320N" can handle the DDR2 PC2-4200 or the DDR2 PC2-5300
> Ram
> sticks:
> http://crucial.com/store/listparts.a...ptiPlex%20320n
>
>
> --
> Rich/rerat
> (RRR News) <message rule>
> <<Previous Text Snipped to Save Bandwidth When Appropriate>>
>
>
> "Christopher Muto" <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
> news:13lf9i8kprc94c3@corp.supernews.com...
> I took 1gb module out of a brand new Dell Optiplex 320 and put it in a
> slightly older Dell 320.
> The memory is recognized in the BIOS but is not reported in Windows XP
> Pro
> SP2.
> The older Dell 320 had one 1gb PC4200 module in it.
> The new Dell 320 module was 1gb PC5300.
> The bios reports 1gb in socket 1, and 1gb in socket 3 (that how they
> are
> numbered in this system that only has two memory module sockets).
> Windows reports only 1gb total.
> Swaped the location so the modules but had the same problem.
> Used each individually and they worked ok.
> Updated the BIOS but still had the problem.
> Dell online chat support resulted in them wanting to replace the
> motherboard.
> Does anyone have some insight on this? Is it trying to use the same
> capacity modules in dual mode but then disabling one since they are
not
> identical speeds.
> Never saw this problem before.
> Thanks for any insight on this matter.
>
"Christopher Muto" <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:13lf9i8kprc94c3@corp.supernews.com...
>I took 1gb module out of a brand new Dell Optiplex 320 and put it in a
>slightly older Dell 320.
> The memory is recognized in the BIOS but is not reported in Windows XP Pro
> SP2.
> The older Dell 320 had one 1gb PC4200 module in it.
> The new Dell 320 module was 1gb PC5300.
> The bios reports 1gb in socket 1, and 1gb in socket 3 (that how they are
> numbered in this system that only has two memory module sockets).
> Windows reports only 1gb total.
> Swaped the location so the modules but had the same problem.
> Used each individually and they worked ok.
> Updated the BIOS but still had the problem.
> Dell online chat support resulted in them wanting to replace the
> motherboard.
> Does anyone have some insight on this? Is it trying to use the same
> capacity modules in dual mode but then disabling one since they are not
> identical speeds.
> Never saw this problem before.
> Thanks for any insight on this matter.
>
Chris -
Out of curiousity, are these Intel machines or AMD?
The earlier 320's were AMD, and then Dell mysteriously and suddenly began
offering them as Intel-only systems?
This is what I am thinking. But am suprised that it does not complain about
it during POST. Thanks.
"Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1E3DB594505E493EAF30CB4AD3954166@M2010...
> What happens when you only try the new one?
>
> I'd guess it just doesn't like mismatched RAM since it wants to DDR2 it
> (so to speak)
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Christopher Muto [mailto:muto@worldnet.att.net]
>> Posted At: Thursday, December 06, 2007 2:36 AM
>> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
>> Conversation: Optiplex 320 RAM Not reconized by Windows
>> Subject: Optiplex 320 RAM Not reconized by Windows
>>
>> I took 1gb module out of a brand new Dell Optiplex 320 and put it in a
>> slightly older Dell 320.
>> The memory is recognized in the BIOS but is not reported in Windows XP
>> Pro
>> SP2.
>> The older Dell 320 had one 1gb PC4200 module in it.
>> The new Dell 320 module was 1gb PC5300.
>> The bios reports 1gb in socket 1, and 1gb in socket 3 (that how they
>> are
>> numbered in this system that only has two memory module sockets).
>> Windows reports only 1gb total.
>> Swaped the location so the modules but had the same problem.
>> Used each individually and they worked ok.
>> Updated the BIOS but still had the problem.
>> Dell online chat support resulted in them wanting to replace the
>> motherboard.
>> Does anyone have some insight on this? Is it trying to use the same
>> capacity modules in dual mode but then disabling one since they are
> not
>> identical speeds.
>> Never saw this problem before.
>> Thanks for any insight on this matter.
>
>
"S.Lewis" <NVRambo@techie.com> wrote in message
news:shS5j.20346$rc2.15963@bignews1.bellsouth.net. ..
>
> "Christopher Muto" <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
> news:13lf9i8kprc94c3@corp.supernews.com...
>>I took 1gb module out of a brand new Dell Optiplex 320 and put it in a
>>slightly older Dell 320.
>> The memory is recognized in the BIOS but is not reported in Windows XP
>> Pro SP2.
>> The older Dell 320 had one 1gb PC4200 module in it.
>> The new Dell 320 module was 1gb PC5300.
>> The bios reports 1gb in socket 1, and 1gb in socket 3 (that how they are
>> numbered in this system that only has two memory module sockets).
>> Windows reports only 1gb total.
>> Swaped the location so the modules but had the same problem.
>> Used each individually and they worked ok.
>> Updated the BIOS but still had the problem.
>> Dell online chat support resulted in them wanting to replace the
>> motherboard.
>> Does anyone have some insight on this? Is it trying to use the same
>> capacity modules in dual mode but then disabling one since they are not
>> identical speeds.
>> Never saw this problem before.
>> Thanks for any insight on this matter.
>>
>
> Chris -
>
> Out of curiousity, are these Intel machines or AMD?
>
> The earlier 320's were AMD, and then Dell mysteriously and suddenly began
> offering them as Intel-only systems?
>
> Stew
Both are Intel machines. The machine that demonstrates this odd behavior is
an 8 month old Pentium D. The newer is a dual core E4400. The old Dell has
been flashed to the latest 1.1.10 (9/21/2007) which mentions "enhanced
compatibility with 667mhz memory" in the release notes.
Thanks.
"Christopher Muto" <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:13lg1jg5mh4i239@corp.supernews.com...
> "S.Lewis" <NVRambo@techie.com> wrote in message
> news:shS5j.20346$rc2.15963@bignews1.bellsouth.net. ..
>>
>> "Christopher Muto" <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
>> news:13lf9i8kprc94c3@corp.supernews.com...
>>>I took 1gb module out of a brand new Dell Optiplex 320 and put it in a
>>>slightly older Dell 320.
>>> The memory is recognized in the BIOS but is not reported in Windows XP
>>> Pro SP2.
>>> The older Dell 320 had one 1gb PC4200 module in it.
>>> The new Dell 320 module was 1gb PC5300.
>>> The bios reports 1gb in socket 1, and 1gb in socket 3 (that how they are
>>> numbered in this system that only has two memory module sockets).
>>> Windows reports only 1gb total.
>>> Swaped the location so the modules but had the same problem.
>>> Used each individually and they worked ok.
>>> Updated the BIOS but still had the problem.
>>> Dell online chat support resulted in them wanting to replace the
>>> motherboard.
>>> Does anyone have some insight on this? Is it trying to use the same
>>> capacity modules in dual mode but then disabling one since they are not
>>> identical speeds.
>>> Never saw this problem before.
>>> Thanks for any insight on this matter.
>>>
>>
>> Chris -
>>
>> Out of curiousity, are these Intel machines or AMD?
>>
>> The earlier 320's were AMD, and then Dell mysteriously and suddenly began
>> offering them as Intel-only systems?
>>
>> Stew
>
> Both are Intel machines. The machine that demonstrates this odd behavior
> is an 8 month old Pentium D. The newer is a dual core E4400. The old
> Dell has been flashed to the latest 1.1.10 (9/21/2007) which mentions
> "enhanced compatibility with 667mhz memory" in the release notes.
> Thanks.
>
>
I'm guessing either:
1) a screwy chipset reporting properly to BIOS but not communicating
correctly with Windows, or....
2) incompatibility between these two DIMMs in a Windows environment.
You've done all you can do for the chipset with the BIOS flash. The other
option I'd try would be matching perfectly the DIMMs (speed/capacity) and
see if that changed anything.
I'm glad you have the Intel version of the 320. The AMD version was an
adventure (primarily due to chipset/system board issues.)
Optiplex 320 RAM Not reconized by Windows 
Linear Mode
