Replacing DRAM?

NecromancerBob · 09-23-05, 07:50 PM

Hey all, I'm new here. Had my X5 (advanced version) for about 2 1/2 years now, and this is the first major trouble I've had out of it. I don't think there's anything I can do for it, but I thought I should get some other folks' opinions. I've done a fair bit of work on computers (spent some time doing repairs for a local place), but I'm afraid I'm a bit lost when it gets down to the component level and individual chips.

A couple of days ago, my X5 froze up. I attempted a soft reset, and the screen went blank. It would not come back on, even after attempting a hard reset. After about 15 minutes, it came back on after another try at a hard reset. It stayed on long enough for me to reload my backup. After a little while, it died again, and stayed dead. At this point, I thought it could be the battery, so I waited until I got home and plugged it into the charger.

It wasn't the battery. It stayed dead, though the LED came on and changed color when the battery finished charging. After another while, and repeated attempts at a hard reset (not the best for it, I know, but there wasn't much else to try), I decided to remove both batteries and wait a little while, to see if removing all power corrected the problem.

When I put the batteries back in, it came on. I reloaded things from scratch. This time, it lasted a few hours before dying again - locking up, and dying completely when soft reset. I attempted a hard reset again, and got a message telling me that a memory error had occurred. I started to suspect RAM issues were afoot. Nonetheless, after removing the batteries and leaving it a little while, it did come back on and ran normally for a few hours once more. Needless to say, it froze and died again.

Somewhere in attempting a hard reset, I managed to get into the onboard diagnostic sequence. The DRAM failed testing, which matched up with my suspicions. Again, it did come back on again. This afternoon, though, it seems to have given up the ghost. When I attempt to reset, I get the opening "Dell" screen - sometimes fouled up - but nothing else.

So, for my actual question, is there any way to replace the DRAM in this thing? I opened it up, but frankly I don't really know enough about electronics to know for sure which chip it'd be.

I doubt it can be replaced - or if it can, that it'd be easy or cost-effective. But I thought I'd at least ask and get other folks' opinions on it.

My X5 has been a faithful, reliable companion for over two years now, and I'd hate to have to get rid of him. I'm afraid, though, his time has come.

sgtsampay · 09-23-05, 08:41 PM

Sorry man. I haven't heard of a way to change the DRAM on these things but you can always ask dell to see what they would say. Also if it had kicked the bucket, then you can always upgrade to X51. Think of the bright side.

NecromancerBob · 09-23-05, 08:48 PM

I've given up on getting a response from Dell; I've had enough experience with tech support lines in general to know what they'll say. Sadly, I don't have the money to replace it at the moment.

Amy · 09-23-05, 09:02 PM

Give yourself some time in here. Maybe one of the experts will give you the specific directions you need.