ggWes Posted February 2, 2006 Share Posted February 2, 2006 The system currently has one 256 MB DDR SDRAM ram. I didn't know about the configure web page until it was too late. This ram doesn't show up on that page for Dell Dimensions. I bought a one gig stick of Value Select DDR SDRAM. When I install it and turn the system on, the system beeps and the monitor won't turn on. When I take it back out, everything works fine. Theres no way for me to get this ram to work with my system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystery Posted February 2, 2006 Share Posted February 2, 2006 Take out your old memory and install the value select ram by itself and see if it will boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggWes Posted February 2, 2006 Author Share Posted February 2, 2006 Thanks for the quick reply I tried that before and it didn't work. I'll try it again just in case. I would really like this ram to work so I can avoid the 15% re-stocking fee @ newegg along with paying for more expensive ram. It doesn't look good. Edit: I tried it again by itself and it still didn't want to work. It must be Dell's special motherboard that will only take corsairs "System Select" ram. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystery Posted February 2, 2006 Share Posted February 2, 2006 That really sucks. Thats why I tried to look up ram before I bought mine too. I don't like restock fees. That and I would have to pay return shipping as well if I bought online. It probably wouldn't do anything but I would try each of the slots with just the 1GB stick. What processor are you using if I might ask? I say that because it could just be that the ram speed is wrong. With value select you should try to match it with your true FSB or double your true FSB essentially since its DDR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggWes Posted February 2, 2006 Author Share Posted February 2, 2006 I know .. I've never been able to buy the right ram. I will always check from here on out. I tried the ram in each slot and every combination I could. My processor is a P4 with I believe 800 front side bus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystery Posted February 2, 2006 Share Posted February 2, 2006 Wow, are you sure your dell has a P4 with 800MHz FSB? From the Dells I've come across, most have a lower FSB. Then again yours could be a lot newer and a lot more expensive. In any event, try to make sure before you get your next stick of ram. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 2, 2006 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 2, 2006 You can run CPU-Z on your system to be sure what CPU you have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggWes Posted February 3, 2006 Author Share Posted February 3, 2006 Thanks, I downloaded CPUZ. Mystery, you were right. FSB was 133 MHz and bus speed was 532 MHz. It is a P4 2.8 GHz. I just ordered a one gig stick of System Select ram that Corsair's web site recommended. Thanks for all your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLeong65 Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 Thanks, I downloaded CPUZ. Mystery, you were right. FSB was 133 MHz and bus speed was 532 MHz. It is a P4 2.8 GHz. I just ordered a one gig stick of System Select ram that Corsair's web site recommended. Thanks for all your help. In this case, you will need to buy the DDR333/PC2700 version of that memory. Many DDR400/PC3200 modules have SPD's which know only DDR400 operation, and therefore have no programming for lower speeds. The limitation of all of Intel's DDR (as opposed to DDR2) chipsets restrict asynchronous operation to +/-33.3MHz (+/-PCICLK) of the processor's actual FSB clockspeed. And since your Dell is an OEM system, it must adhere strictly to the Intel specs - and in addition, lacks any provision at all whatsoever to manually override the memory speed settings. If you got the DDR400/PC3200 version of the memory, you may end up with the BIOS always setting the memory speed to 200MHz/DDR400 no matter what, which will result in a 66.7MHz differential between the actual FSB clockspeed and the actual memory clockspeed (and thus unsupported by Intel). OEM systems with such a memory clockspeed differential on such a chipset will either halt with an error message during bootup or not even POST at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 3, 2006 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 3, 2006 Yes RJLeong65 is right you may have to use DDR333 with a 533 FSB CPU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggWes Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 RJLeong65, My system came stock with DDR400 ram. Why would they ship ram that wouldn't be fit for the system? Do you think I'd have a problem with a stick of 1 GB DDR400 SDRAM Corsair System Select? I already ordered again from newegg. ( shoot me now ) They have great service but their 15% restocking fee sucks. ( especially if you are looking for a quick swap ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 4, 2006 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 4, 2006 You are welcome to try it but there seems to be some issue with Dell's bios and you will need to match the modules you install to the CPU FSB with our modules. So DDR333 would be suggested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggWes Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 I guess I'll wait for DDR 400 system select to come in. Newegg doesn't carry the 333 Mhz System select anyways. I looked on Dell's website and found a memory finder there. This is what they recommended: DELL - 1 GB Module for a Dell Dimension 3000 System 1 GB DDR SDRAM, PC3200 / 400 MHz, Non-Parity, Unbuffered Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystery Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Hm. I wonder if the SS Sticks will work. From some of the stuff I heard it might work. Try it out and let me know :sunglasse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggWes Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 Will do. Ramguy told another person that had a dell that "CMSS parts are guaranteed to be compatible." http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48144 I just want something that works but if it doesn't, I guess I'll get my money back and buy the expensive dell ram. ( But I'll never buy another Dell system since the upgrading is a nightmare. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggWes Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 I just got in the SS and that doesn't work either. That just gives beeping noises like the last one. I now have two chips that don't work with my system and am not very happy with Corsairs system select for "dells" or Dell's upgradeability or lack there of. :(: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 6, 2006 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 6, 2006 I am sorry but with a 533 FSB CPU you will need to run DDR333 memory. If your reseller will not help you you are welcome to call our customer service and see if they can help. 888-222-4346. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggWes Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 Alright, I'll give that a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystery Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 If you have problem finding a good replacement for your computer, pm me and let me know. I might be able to help. I got new ram for my brother's Dell Dimension 3000 which worked ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggWes Posted February 7, 2006 Author Share Posted February 7, 2006 Thanks, I called Corsair and they gave me another ram to buy that has DDR 333. I ran a different ram config program and found that my current ram is running at 333 (even though it is labeled a 400 which is what messed this all up). So this sounds like it will work and newegg helped out by not charging the restocking fee for the other two sticks. I'll let you know how it goes. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggWes Posted February 8, 2006 Author Share Posted February 8, 2006 Just got the ram in today. I loaded it in and had some problems but everything is working good now. Note to anyone installing ram in a Dell that is the right ram but you still get two beeps on startup and a blank screen on your display: Hit F1 for CMOS to install your new ram and your system will continue booting after that along with your display turning on. Thanks to everyone for their help in here. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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