RAM: New Kingston memory not working properly

Recently decided that it was time to upgrade my amount of memory.

Easiest store availlable was Best Buy and their "Geek Squad", yeah I know...

Anyway, I walked up to them and talked to a guy. Showed him my scribbled note with my "Kingston 2x512MB 1Rx8 PC2-42000". Long story short guy sends me home with a Kingston 1GB; DDR2; 667MHz, PC2-53000 assuring me it should be compatible with my Dell Dimension computer.

I came home, reformated my HD since I was having other issues. Currently loaded a Windows XP Pro version and figured it was time to enjoy some more memory. I've tried the memory sticks up and down in different DIMM's. Sometimes the computer has just said no at start-up, other times it's started and detected fine but seem to run into errors in Windows instead not being able to copy or write certain files.

Last update is: If I just run my old two memories(currently in DIMM 1&3 if it matters) the computer seem to work fine. I tried stuffing my new memory in this morning and it wouldn't even load windows, gave me an error about software-error and something about KERNEL32.dll.

Anyone who has had simular trouble or know how I work this out?

 

Yeah, take them RAM back to Best Buy. Meanwhile "Scan your System" with your "old sticks" on the link below to find out exactly what you need. I've read that XP won't *see* more than 3-3.5 GB http://www.crucial.com/#

BTW: it may be that 3 RAM sticks may not work, you may have to get 2 additional sticks in addition to your old one(s). Apparently they work in pairs.

I had 2x256 MB sticks in my Dell in slot 1 and 3. Scanned with the above link and purchased 2 x1 GB RAM sticks from another store and put them in slot 2 and 4. They work fine although it was advised here by MG to switch the sticks around for better performance. That is: the 2x1 GB in slots 1 and 3 and the 2x512 MB in slot 2 and 4. Have to do it yet, just being lazy to try it out.

 

Thanks for the replys fellas,

so basicly the memory stick is defunct or he gave me something that doesn't work with my computer?

How does it work with the whole fact that the package to it is trashed, one of those clear hard plastic stuff that simply sceams "Cut me to pieces if you want your shit out!"

I'm definately lost regarding where to buy here in the States, it was easier back home where I had scouted out a "small private nerdnest" of a store that was just awesome..

 

Have you tried the link I gave you yet? It will tell you exactly the type of RAM you need to match up with your current "old sticks". You can always purchase online if you have trouble finding a store with knowledgeable staff, although with the info given by crucial, it shouldn't give any problems obtaining the right ones.

Just go back to Best Buy with the 1 GB stick to return it and armed with the correct info from crucial you shouldn't have any problems getting the correct sticks. Don't know if the new stick is defunct or doesn't work for your computer. I cannot scan *your* computer so cannot give you the type of RAM you need.

You can also get new sticks online from newegg.com, tigerdirect.com etc.

 

Thanks Oma,

I ran the scanner and also checked my computer specs against Crucial and appearantly my computer demands pair-installation. Which the idiot at Geek-squad should have known considering I gave him my exakt computermodel.

Now I'm gonna go scream at them over the phone for abit, then I'll probably order twice the amount of memory from crucial for half the price of Best Buy. Doesn't it allmost sound too good to be true?

Thanks again,
Verre

 

Hi Verre, check out other online websites as well and see what their prices are for the sticks you want. I've read that www.newegg.com is pretty good in prices compared with some others. Also, when purchasing 2 sticks, get them both as a one prepackaged set.

Good luck!!

 

I am definately gonna check it. Rather happy I found this forum amidst all the "grief" of my computer borking out completely.

Many thanks!