New Ram on a Laptop and now it doesn't work.

[bostonmike]

Ok, here's what happened. I had 2 gig installed in a Dell lattitude and I tried to install 4 gig. I installed the new (2) 2gig chips and I got the blinking caps lock light. I checked if the machine could take 4gig and yes it could. It would not boot. I re-installed the same (2) 1gig chips and I got the same thing. The computer won't start. Blinking caps lock light. I did it the correct way by installing the (a) chip first then the (b) chip. Any Ideas on how to fix this?

 

[buwish]

Did you ensure that the kind of memory you bought is compatible with the laptop? I'm guessing that the memory you got isn't and that is why you are having the issue. Return the new memory, check the sticker on one of the old sticks, and purchase that specific kind of memory, i.e. PC2-5300 (the sticker will say something like that).

 

[RetiredChief]

Laptops can be VERY picky on memory module.
(1) Did you first verify that the Memory is on the "Compataility" list
(2) Did you match the Voltage rating and CL ratings, For laptops, I've found that matching the specs (excluding size) is a good idea.

You indicated that your laptop will not power on after you re-installed the orignal memory. Two Posibilities:
(1) the Bios tried to change it's settings to match the New ram and has retained the settings - Which no longer match your orignal memory. If this is the case then you need to findout how to reset the Bios to "factory" settings.
(2) Always a possibility - You may have: (a) not fully inserted the Ram, or (b) you damaged the a memory module or a component on the MB. Try One stick of memory at a time to see if you can get the laptop to power on.

Remember - Memory Modules and the area around the socket on the MB are ESD sensitive.

 

[bostonmike]

Thanks for passing on some good info here guys! I haven't got around to pursuing this further. (sooooo busy!) I will try again at the end of the week and see If I can figure this out.

 

[Murdex]

Wow, thanks for this post! I realize this is like 3 years old and chances are no one will see my response, but damn this just saved my ass.

I was working on a computer for a friend of mine, just software stuff... but I had some RAM I wasn't using lying around around and decided I would see if it would work in his laptop. I took his out and looked at them, they are not compatible, so I put his right back in, didnt even attempt to install the other. Then went to finish software stuff, and it wouldn't power on.

Ive been freaking out the past few hours trying to find the problem as I really didnt want to have to buy him a new laptop... especially considering I wasnt getting paid for this job in the first place. Turns out the problem was simple.... (2) Always a possibility - You may have: (a) not fully inserted the Ram, or (b) you damaged the a memory module or a component on the MB. Try One stick of memory at a time to see if you can get the laptop to power on.

One of the sticks were not seated properly. The other one was good, just one of them was off a little. Honestly a bit surprised that it did not still power on and just not read the stick, thats what I would have expected, and what I have seen in the past so never considered that was the problem. In this case, the computer acted as if it were getting no power. I was seriously beginning to think I had somehow damaged the motherboard.