leeko

Hi all,

Got a question that's a bit off-topic, but hopefully someone here knows the answer :)

My laptop (Dell Inspiron 1100) had 640MB RAM (1 x 128MB PC2100, 1 x 512MB PC2700) until recently. I started to have problems with the computer, until I removed the 512MB stick (BSOD, random resets, and the amount of system RAM would drop to 256MB, which means that both sticks were being at least partially used).

When I removed the 512MB RAM stick, I noticed that there is a little residue on 3 of the chips. It almost looks like a sticker was on there at some point - I don't know if goo was there when it was put in, but it's was dry/baked on when I removed the stick... I don't see any problems with the other chips or the PCB.

I've since replaced the 512MB stick, so I'm back up to 640MB :) But, I'm keen to know whether the other stick is salvageable or not. Does anyone have any ideas on whether it's worth trying to clean the goo off, or does this sound like a different kind of problem? I don't have much experience with RAM hardware failure... :(

Any advice would be much appreciated,

Thanks, Leeko

star882

Have you tried memtest86?

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Originally Posted by A friend of mine who has a Linux kernel named after his girlfriend.

If I was VirtualBox, I could load my virtualization module into Hannah and boot up another kernel in the same address space.

leeko

hehe -
it's running right now :) found it right after I posted.

I left it running for a few hours; it's on pass number 7, and still going. Does it keep going until I stop it, or is there an "end" to it's tests?

Thanks,

Leeko

w3iner

tried running both 512's, or is one saudered off? I would say try to salvage, no use not trying!

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Grentz

Is the "goo" on the contacts where the memory chips mount to the actual memory board? If so, it could be causing some problems. A bit of alcohol should clean it up.

If it is on the chips themselves (not on the contacts where the chips mount to the memory board) it really should not cause any issues and could just be bad memory.

leeko

Originally Posted by Grentz

Is the "goo" on the contacts where the memory chips mount to the actual memory board? If so, it could be causing some problems. A bit of alcohol should clean it up. If it is on the chips themselves (not on the contacts where the chips mount to the memory board) it really should not cause any issues and could just be bad memory.

the goo's just on the chips - I don't see any on the board itself... will fire up memtest86 and see what it says.

Cheers,

Leeko

ahjaxim

The memory installs on the bottom of the laptop? Was the goo "up" towards the cover over the memory or "down towards the insode of the laptop?

Did you happen to find a loose label in the laptop?

The memory is two different speeds PC2100/PC2700, it might be that the settings from one is incompatible with the other and you will need to get both the same.

benots4

To remove goo try alcohol, if that doesn't work use Scotch Brite, Then the Big gun Nail Polish remover. Use very little because it may eat the board and its coatings.

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w3iner

Originally Posted by ahjaxim

The memory installs on the bottom of the laptop? Was the goo "up" towards the cover over the memory or "down towards the insode of the laptop? Did you happen to find a loose label in the laptop? The memory is two different speeds PC2100/PC2700, it might be that the settings from one is incompatible with the other and you will need to get both the same.

Are you sure it is nt one pc2700/2100 and one is pc 3200/pc2700, I don't think it would make a dfference either way.

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ahjaxim

Originally Posted by leeko

My laptop (Dell Inspiron 1100) had 640MB RAM (1 x 128MB PC2100, 1 x 512MB PC2700) until recently. I started to have problems with the computer, until I removed the 512MB stick (BSOD, random resets, and the amount of system RAM would drop to 256MB, which means that both sticks were being at least partially used).

Originally Posted by w3iner

Are you sure it is nt one pc2700/2100 and one is pc 3200/pc2700, I don't think it would make a dfference either way.

I was just going by what was reported.

The first thread I found looking at Dell support:

http://www.dellcommunity.com/support...l=en&cs=&s=gen

leeko

Originally Posted by ahjaxim

I was just going by what was reported. The first thread I found looking at Dell support: http://www.dellcommunity.com/support...l=en&cs=&s=gen

Hi all,

thanks for all the help and suggestions. My new 512MB PC2100 stick is happily working now. I agree that the i1100 doesn't like faster RAM, BUT: the 512MB stick I had in place previously (which died after 3 years) was a Centon-branded PC2700 stick. So, it appears that the i1100 will work with SOME faster memory chips, at least...

Regards,

Leeko

Pocketbrain

Hey, try some RAM heatsinks, too.