Memory problems and bios

About two weeks or so ago I got a KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR on my BSOD. I was ok for about a week, and then this past 7 days have been fraught with BSODs (pretty much that error only as well as KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR), and running chkdsk to clean up all the mess left by the BSODs. Today, I finally ran the manufacturer's HD test utility - all is well. I then ran Memtest86+2...oh my goodness, what a mess. I couldn't believe how many errors I had after only 4 passes.

So...I need new memory. At least I hope that is all I need. So I tried to do a little research and then ran out to one of those horrible big box stores and bought some. And, of course, I figured I'd upgrade while I'm at it.
Got home, put in those shiny new memory stix, and voila! black screen. Nada...zip...doodoo. Put the old memory back in, and it booted back up - albeit ever ready to once again throw that blue screen in front of me at any minute.

At any rate, here are my specs:

Dell Inspiron 6000 w/1g memory (2 stix of 512 2Rx16 PC2-3200S 333-10 DIMM DDR2)
XP Pro w/ SP3
Pentium 1.50 GHz CPU
598 MHz, 1 GB RAM
my BIOs is A03 (latest version is A09)

Because I want as much memory as I can get, the 2 memory stix I bought were PNY 1G PC2-5300 667 SODIMM DDR2

So, my question is: do you think that these PNY stix will work if I update the bios? After reading all the threads here regarding the chances one takes when upgrading their bios, I am nervous as hell to do it. But I have a feeling that any memory I buy that is faster (and they all are now) will require it, even if it has to operate slower (i.e. 400 instead of 667).

Or...do you think it would be better if I return those stix to the big box they came from and order the memory that Crucial suggests? which is pretty much the same thing, only theirs, and they guarantee it. Would I need to still update the bios with the Crucial memory?

And...is updating the bios really as risky as it sounds here?

A lot of questions, I know - and I appreciate any and all help you all can give. This is a great forum!

Thanks.

 

You sure that RAM is compatible with your motherboard?
Do a scan on www.crucial.com to find out

Dacads

 

Thanks for the link - I had looked up my notebook model on their site but hadn't run the utility that checks my computer for what is compatible. The specs for the memory that they recommend are so much more detailed than what I bought...I can't even find the same on the PNY site. So, I will return this "puny" memory and have ordered from Crucial - which is what I should have done in the first place. Also, the reviews they post are very helpful - there were many Inspiron 6000 users who upgraded without a glitch!

Gimme a couple of days for delivery, and I'll let you know. I still may need some biased bios help