RAM goes from 384MB down to 132MB

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

I just learned about this Newsgroup so if I do something stupid, please bear
with me. I try to learn.

I have an older Dell Dimension L550r that came with a 128MB RAM module. I
added a 256MB RAM module and generally everything works fine. Occasionally
the computer runs real slow. Takes forever just to type a few words. When
this happens, I right click on "my computer" and select properties. The RAM
is listed as 132MB. Task Manager shows the same. If I reboot the computer
I am still at the 132MB. If I turn the computer off for about 1/2 hour and
turn it back on, there is 384MB RAM back. This is physical RAM is it not?
Where does it go and how do I stop it from going there?

I have removed both RAM modules and plugged them back in - twice. I am
fairly certain the contacts are clean and they are seated properly. I also
cleaned the computer case when I did this. I cleared all the temp files,
ran Adaware, Spysweeper, Norton AV, defragged hard drive. I am running XP
Pro, Pentium III 500MH.

Mikboc

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

It's also possible the motherboard is failing.....

--
A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
"mikboc" <mikboc@(removethis)cinci.rr.com> wrote in message
news:l7FXe.45886$vJ4.29792@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com...
>I just learned about this Newsgroup so if I do something stupid, please
>bear with me. I try to learn.
>
> I have an older Dell Dimension L550r that came with a 128MB RAM module. I
> added a 256MB RAM module and generally everything works fine.
> Occasionally the computer runs real slow. Takes forever just to type a
> few words. When this happens, I right click on "my computer" and select
> properties. The RAM is listed as 132MB. Task Manager shows the same. If
> I reboot the computer I am still at the 132MB. If I turn the computer off
> for about 1/2 hour and turn it back on, there is 384MB RAM back. This is
> physical RAM is it not? Where does it go and how do I stop it from going
> there?
>
> I have removed both RAM modules and plugged them back in - twice. I am
> fairly certain the contacts are clean and they are seated properly. I
> also cleaned the computer case when I did this. I cleared all the temp
> files, ran Adaware, Spysweeper, Norton AV, defragged hard drive. I am
> running XP Pro, Pentium III 500MH.
>
> Mikboc

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

In news:l7FXe.45886$vJ4.29792@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com,
mikboc <mikboc@(removethis)cinci.rr.com> typed:

> I just learned about this Newsgroup so if I do something
> stupid,
> please bear with me. I try to learn.
>
> I have an older Dell Dimension L550r that came with a 128MB RAM
> module. I added a 256MB RAM module and generally everything
> works
> fine. Occasionally the computer runs real slow. Takes forever
> just
> to type a few words. When this happens, I right click on "my
> computer" and select properties. The RAM is listed as 132MB.
> Task
> Manager shows the same. If I reboot the computer I am still at
> the
> 132MB. If I turn the computer off for about 1/2 hour and turn
> it
> back on, there is 384MB RAM back. This is physical RAM is it
> not?
> Where does it go and how do I stop it from going there?


If rebooting doesn't show the other 256MB RAM, but waiting half
an hour and rebooting does, it would appear that your problem is
heat-related. The socket that the 256MB module (or the module
itself) is plugged into may expand and fail when it is warm.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

 

[z]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

mikboc wrote:
> I have an older Dell Dimension L550r that came with a 128MB RAM module. I
> added a 256MB RAM module and generally everything works fine. Occasionally
> the computer runs real slow. Takes forever just to type a few words. When
> this happens, I right click on "my computer" and select properties. The RAM
> is listed as 132MB. Task Manager shows the same. If I reboot the computer
> I am still at the 132MB. If I turn the computer off for about 1/2 hour and
> turn it back on, there is 384MB RAM back. This is physical RAM is it not?
> Where does it go and how do I stop it from going there?

Yes, it is physical RAM.

It sounds like you either have a faulty 256MB memory module or you used
one that's not the right kind (perhaps it's rated too slow and as it
heats up, it runs slower, then you have problems) for your system.

Under "faulty," perhaps, you have some contacts that are oxidized or
dirty. That could cause problems with temperature. Have you tried any
contact cleaner on the connectors and strips?

Where did you buy the memory and how did you choose the type?

 

[stan]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

if you have 128mb of ram the best thing to do is to match it equally with
128mb.
I did almost the same with my ram (originaly had 256mb and I added a 512mb
stick) got pretty much the same experience you are having now. hope this
helps
Stan

"NotMe" <cargod01@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OC7t6JXvFHA.2960@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> It's also possible the motherboard is failing.....
>
> --
> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
> "mikboc" <mikboc@(removethis)cinci.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:l7FXe.45886$vJ4.29792@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com...
>>I just learned about this Newsgroup so if I do something stupid, please
>>bear with me. I try to learn.
>>
>> I have an older Dell Dimension L550r that came with a 128MB RAM module.
>> I added a 256MB RAM module and generally everything works fine.
>> Occasionally the computer runs real slow. Takes forever just to type a
>> few words. When this happens, I right click on "my computer" and select
>> properties. The RAM is listed as 132MB. Task Manager shows the same.
>> If I reboot the computer I am still at the 132MB. If I turn the computer
>> off for about 1/2 hour and turn it back on, there is 384MB RAM back.
>> This is physical RAM is it not? Where does it go and how do I stop it
>> from going there?
>>
>> I have removed both RAM modules and plugged them back in - twice. I am
>> fairly certain the contacts are clean and they are seated properly. I
>> also cleaned the computer case when I did this. I cleared all the temp
>> files, ran Adaware, Spysweeper, Norton AV, defragged hard drive. I am
>> running XP Pro, Pentium III 500MH.
>>
>> Mikboc
>
>