OK, first of all, I’m a dunce. I’ve been messing with computers since I was a kid but still have barely the most basic knowledge of their inner workings.
I ordered some RAM sticks for my Dell XPS 400. I did the research to make sure I got the right RAM for the system, which previously had 1GB, and 4 total RAM slots. I didn’t bother to actually crack open the case though and look at them, because my computer is in a corner infested with wires and it’s a big PITA to get at it, unplug everything, then replug it in.
I assumed that there was just a single 1GB stick in there and ordered 3 more 1GB sticks. :smack: Of course, there were 2 512 MB sticks, which I discovered upon going to install them, and I’m realizing now that it probably has to be that way (with them paired). I also understand from my research that it’s good to have matched pairs in terms of speed and brand, and that my 32-bit XP OS will only support a max of 3-3.5GB of RAM in practice. That’s OK though, I just want to get the most out of it that I can.
My motherboard looks like this. The 512MB sticks were both located in the slots with the white hammer latches. I took out one of them and installed the 3 1GB sticks. I realized this was a mistake when my computer started beeping when I plugged it back in and it would not boot up. So I put the original 512MB stick back in the white slot, leaving 2 of the 1GB sticks in the black hammer slots. This time, the computer booted successfully and recognized the extra 2GB of RAM.
Am I to assume the slots that make a pair are the matching color slots and not the two slots which are grouped together in proximity to each other? Is the reason my computer would not boot because I didn’t have matching pairs when I installed the 3 1GB sticks and left one 512MB stick on its own? Should I go ahead and order one more stick of 1GB and install it as a pair with the other, so that I have 1GB sticks in all the slots? (Recognizing that with the 32-bit OS the gain might be minimal or non-existent. Right now my computer is recognizing 3GB of RAM)
Sorry for the length of the post and I greatly appreciate anyone who can answer me. The tech help I have received here has always been invaluable.