kevins Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I recently purchased two 1 GB sticks of XMS DDR 400 (PC 3200) RAM. I have one running in my system, and am trying to use the second in a friend's. The second system is a Dell Dimension 2400 (533 FSB). I unfortunately didn't see the notice on Corsair's site to use DDR 333 for that system until too late, the Dell memory finder told me to get the 400 Mhz. I figured it should still work but run at the slower speed. However, with it in the system I get a couple beeps when I try to power up and the system never posts. Should I be able to run this RAM at the slower speed? Any ideas on how? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuck08 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 If the motherboard only supports DDR33 that is what it should be running at. I am not sure if you can change it in Dell BIOS but try changing the DDR FSB manually to DDR333. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 If the configurator didn't recommend the memory you bought, then return it and get the correct type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLeong65 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 kevins, Dell's lower-end systems have no provision at all whatsoever to manually adjust anything in terms of memory or processor parameters -- voltage, timings, clock speed, etc. Furthermore, Dell's systems require memory modules with its own custom-designed SPD chips (found only on Dell's own OEM modules, in the case of DDR333/DDR400 systems) in order for the memory to downclock properly; memory modules with industry-standard SPD chips will only work at the fastest SPD-programmed speed when used on Dell systems. In this case, since the Dimension 2400 only supports up to DDR333 memory, your DDR400 modules got detected at an unsupported speed, thus resulting in a no-POST. There is absolutely no way at all whatsoever to get around that problem short of replacing the modules with the correct ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DellCA Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 kevins, Dell's lower-end systems have no provision at all whatsoever to manually adjust anything in terms of memory or processor parameters -- voltage, timings, clock speed, etc. Furthermore, Dell's systems require memory modules with its own custom-designed SPD chips (found only on Dell's own OEM modules, in the case of DDR333/DDR400 systems) in order for the memory to downclock properly; memory modules with industry-standard SPD chips will only work at the fastest SPD-programmed speed when used on Dell systems. In this case, since the Dimension 2400 only supports up to DDR333 memory, your DDR400 modules got detected at an unsupported speed, thus resulting in a no-POST. There is absolutely no way at all whatsoever to get around that problem short of replacing the modules with the correct ones. Actually, the Dimension 2400 uses industry standard components. The specifications for the system list that it supports 266MHz or 333MHz DDR1 memory. While I would expect the 400MHz memory to run at 333MHz it is possible something on that memory is confusing the system and causing it to error. I have seen a similar error recently on a newer Dell desktop (C521) where the problem turned out to be the voltage that the memory used caused a problem in the Dell, but memory that ran at a lower voltage worked fine (the memory that failed worked in another computer and was platinum something from Corsair; unfortunately I don't remember exactly which one, just that it was very nice memory). The diagnostic lights on the back (labeled A-D) of the Dimension 2400 have three different memory error codes during POST. A & B amber; C & D green -- Possible Memory Failure A green; B, C & D amber -- No memory detected A & C green; B & D amber -- Memory is detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error exists From what is described I would expect to see the third set of lights with the 400MHz memory in the system. Unfortunately, you are correct that there are no options to change the memory configuration on the motherboard for most Dell systems. Most people that are going to be using a Dimension 2400 wouldn't know about those settings, or would not be using the system in such a way that changing them would be needed, so they were not included. If anyone has any other questions about the Dimension 2400, or any other Dell system, I will be happy to answer them. Larry Dell Customer Advocate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted January 23, 2008 Corsair Employees Share Posted January 23, 2008 Thanks Larry, So I guess you will be visiting us more frequently? Is that correct? Glad to have you helping. kevins Bottom line I am sorry I would suggest using the memory that was suggested on our memory configurator or one that was suggested by the manufacturer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 DellCA, that "platinum" memory was most likely from Corsair's enthusiast series of memory (XMS), and requires timings / voltage to be set manually, and is usually not directly in line with JEDEC specs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vladimir7 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Hi my mother has a Dell Dimension 2400. It is a celeron 2.4Ghz with 256MB Ram She said it is currently running slow and asked me to clean it up.. I did, but in all honesty, 256MB is just wayyy to low for nowadays. So I told her I would upgrade the ram and should make it running good again. I am not sure if I will get 512 stick or a 1GB... 512 goes for $28. 1GB goes for $55. 512 Would probably be enough (specially if I can get it working with the current 256 chip). And if it isn't, I can grab another 512 stick at another time. So I am getting mixed messages from this thread... Can I buy any DDR 333 or 400mhz ram stick and it will work fine, or do I need to buy some sort of "special" Dell branded memory stick? I used the memory configurator, which was helpful. But of course the one it brings up is the 1GB that is OOS at my local place Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Buy either memory that is listed to be compatible in the Corsair Configurator, or from Dell directly. Either of these will work fine for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted January 23, 2008 Corsair Employees Share Posted January 23, 2008 Well this is harder to answer than you know for a few reasons I cannot talk about. However according to our Configurator that would be DDR333 or DDR266 Part Number Size VS1GB333 1GB VS512MB266 512MB VS512MB333 512MB With the chipset the MB has and the CPU you have you will be limited to DDR333 because of the CPU FSB (533MHz) We have found that Dell systems most times will not down clock our DDR400 modules properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevins Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 Thanks for the help. Looks like I need to just get a different speed. I'd be careful of what the Dell memory finder tells you, it told me to use the 400 MHz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DellCA Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Well this is harder to answer than you know for a few reasons I cannot talk about. However according to our Configurator that would be DDR333 or DDR266 Part Number Size VS1GB333 1GB VS512MB266 512MB VS512MB333 512MB With the chipset the MB has and the CPU you have you will be limited to DDR333 because of the CPU FSB (533MHz) We have found that Dell systems most times will not down clock our DDR400 modules properly. While I don't know the Corsair part numbers, this information fits with the information available here at Dell. As long as you use 266 or 333 MHz DDR memory it *should* work just fine in the Dim2400. 200 MHz memory is specifically listed as not compatible, by the way. Per the specifications the Dim2400 is limited to 128Mb - 1024Mb of "PC2100 (266-MHz) or PC2700 (333-MHz) DDR SDRAM (non-ECC)", one or two DIMMs of 128, 256 or 512Mb each. A BIOS update might have increased the memory to 2Gb max, but I do not believe that happened (newer model desktops came out instead). Wired, I believe you are correct, as the person trying to use it was upgrading to try and improve gaming performance on the system. Larry Dell Customer Advocate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted January 23, 2008 Corsair Employees Share Posted January 23, 2008 You have gotten some great answers kevins, but by all means if you still have questions please let us know we will be happy to help you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Wired, I believe you are correct, as the person trying to use it was upgrading to try and improve gaming performance on the system.Doesn't hurt that I used to work for Dell many moons ago as well :) Did tech support and sales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowrocketbik Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 I have similiar issues. I have a Dell Dimension 2400 system with 512 mb of ram currently installed (2-256 modules). They are 333MHz DDR SDRAM (PC2700) modules. I am trying to install 2GB of ram to upgrade. I have 2 1GB modules that are 333MHz DDR (PC2700) dual channel modules. When I try to boot, I get no boot up, and only beeps from my processor. My diagnostic lights on the back are showing A and C green, B and D amber. According to a couple of system checking checks that I have ran (including Dell's) my system is capable of supporting the 2GB of ram, but the Dell sight says to use 400 MHz (PC3200) memory. What am I doing wrong here?? Actually, the Dimension 2400 uses industry standard components. The specifications for the system list that it supports 266MHz or 333MHz DDR1 memory. While I would expect the 400MHz memory to run at 333MHz it is possible something on that memory is confusing the system and causing it to error. I have seen a similar error recently on a newer Dell desktop (C521) where the problem turned out to be the voltage that the memory used caused a problem in the Dell, but memory that ran at a lower voltage worked fine (the memory that failed worked in another computer and was platinum something from Corsair; unfortunately I don't remember exactly which one, just that it was very nice memory). The diagnostic lights on the back (labeled A-D) of the Dimension 2400 have three different memory error codes during POST. A & B amber; C & D green -- Possible Memory Failure A green; B, C & D amber -- No memory detected A & C green; B & D amber -- Memory is detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error exists From what is described I would expect to see the third set of lights with the 400MHz memory in the system. Unfortunately, you are correct that there are no options to change the memory configuration on the motherboard for most Dell systems. Most people that are going to be using a Dimension 2400 wouldn't know about those settings, or would not be using the system in such a way that changing them would be needed, so they were not included. If anyone has any other questions about the Dimension 2400, or any other Dell system, I will be happy to answer them. Larry Dell Customer Advocate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLeong65 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 I have similiar issues. I have a Dell Dimension 2400 system with 512 mb of ram currently installed (2-256 modules). They are 333MHz DDR SDRAM (PC2700) modules. I am trying to install 2GB of ram to upgrade. I have 2 1GB modules that are 333MHz DDR (PC2700) dual channel modules. When I try to boot, I get no boot up, and only beeps from my processor. My diagnostic lights on the back are showing A and C green, B and D amber. According to a couple of system checking checks that I have ran (including Dell's) my system is capable of supporting the 2GB of ram, but the Dell sight says to use 400 MHz (PC3200) memory. What am I doing wrong here?? I think I know part of the cause: Not all memory manufacturers make memory modules which are fully compliant with the JEDEC reference specs. Many memory brands -- both large and small -- use some components which are not compliant with the JEDEC spec (but are not specifically prohibited by JEDEC), and thus might cause errors when used in a system that's very strict about mewmory module use. Many Dell systems are very strict as to which memory to use compared to, say, a system you build yourself with off-the-shelf parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted January 24, 2008 Corsair Employees Share Posted January 24, 2008 What is our modules part# yellowrocketbik? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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