RAM problem with Dell Latitude CPxJ notebook

[Paul_in_NC]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Hello all.
I have a problem concerning a RAM upgrade and my aging Dell Latitude CPx
notebook. When I inherited this notebook it had 256MB or RAM onboard in the
form of two 128MB sticks. Each stick was identical make and capacity ("MT"
brand, 128MB, PC100, 144 pin SDRAM SODIMM, CL2). According to Dell's
website, this Latitude will support up to 512MB in the form of two 256MB
sticks. I ordered two sticks of Rosewill 256MB (PC133, 144 pin SDRAM SODIMM,
CL 2.5). When I dropped the two Rosewill sticks in this afternoon, no boot.
Hmmm... I put the two MT 128MB sticks back in and the notebook boots up no
problem.
I am thinking two things:
1) Either the Rosewill RAM is defective/DOA
or
2) The Rosewill RAM is not compatible with the notebook.

Now, the documentation on Dell's website
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/pcpxhj/en/ug_a02/specs.htm#memory
states that the Latitude's RAM is PC100 and is "CL2 or CL3". Could the fact
that the Rosewill sticks are PC133 and CL 2.5 cause such an incompatibility
that the notebook would not even boot?

FWIW I can do an RMA Exchange on the two Rosewill sticks and maybe get two
"good" sticks that aren't defective/DOA (if they are in fact that) or I can
get an RMA Refund, but then I am charged a 15% restocking fee.

So, what do you think? Maybe I got bad RAM? Maybe the RAM is incompatible?
What would you do?
Any thoughs or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Paul Williams
paulwilliamsREMOVETHIS@REMOVETHISnc.rr.com
(be sure to remove the UPPERCASE words from my email if you reply directly)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Paul_in_NC" <paulwilliamsREMOVETHIS@REMOVETHISnc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:mwRfe.11486$tf1.870920@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> Hello all.
> I have a problem concerning a RAM upgrade and my aging Dell Latitude CPx
> notebook. When I inherited this notebook it had 256MB or RAM onboard in
> the form of two 128MB sticks. Each stick was identical make and capacity
> ("MT" brand, 128MB, PC100, 144 pin SDRAM SODIMM, CL2). According to Dell's
> website, this Latitude will support up to 512MB in the form of two 256MB
> sticks. I ordered two sticks of Rosewill 256MB (PC133, 144 pin SDRAM
> SODIMM, CL 2.5). When I dropped the two Rosewill sticks in this afternoon,
> no boot. Hmmm... I put the two MT 128MB sticks back in and the notebook
> boots up no problem.
> I am thinking two things:
> 1) Either the Rosewill RAM is defective/DOA
> or
> 2) The Rosewill RAM is not compatible with the notebook.
>


<snip>

Paul,

I have that model as well. PC133 won't work. You need PC100 SODIMMs. I've
got my 650mhz running w/the max 512mb right now.

I tried a 256mb PC133 SODIMM (Samsung or Micron) with the original matching
DIMM and while the system booted (w/post beep errors), the PC133 stick
wasn't recognized in BIOS or Windows. I ended up grabbing a Crucial SODIMM
off of ebay and it corrected everything.

See if those guys can swap what you have for what you need.

Good luck.

Stew

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"S.Lewis" <stew1960@cover.bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:%yRfe.4307$7A2.1918@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
>
> "Paul_in_NC" <paulwilliamsREMOVETHIS@REMOVETHISnc.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:mwRfe.11486$tf1.870920@twister.southeast.rr.com...
>> Hello all.
>> I have a problem concerning a RAM upgrade and my aging Dell Latitude CPx
>> notebook. When I inherited this notebook it had 256MB or RAM onboard in
>> the form of two 128MB sticks. Each stick was identical make and capacity
>> ("MT" brand, 128MB, PC100, 144 pin SDRAM SODIMM, CL2). According to
>> Dell's website, this Latitude will support up to 512MB in the form of two
>> 256MB sticks. I ordered two sticks of Rosewill 256MB (PC133, 144 pin
>> SDRAM SODIMM, CL 2.5). When I dropped the two Rosewill sticks in this
>> afternoon, no boot. Hmmm... I put the two MT 128MB sticks back in and the
>> notebook boots up no problem.
>> I am thinking two things:
>> 1) Either the Rosewill RAM is defective/DOA
>> or
>> 2) The Rosewill RAM is not compatible with the notebook.
>>
>
>
> <snip>
>
> Paul,
>
> I have that model as well. PC133 won't work. You need PC100 SODIMMs.
> I've got my 650mhz running w/the max 512mb right now.
>
> I tried a 256mb PC133 SODIMM (Samsung or Micron) with the original
> matching DIMM and while the system booted (w/post beep errors), the PC133
> stick wasn't recognized in BIOS or Windows. I ended up grabbing a Crucial
> SODIMM off of ebay and it corrected everything.
>
> See if those guys can swap what you have for what you need.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Stew
>


Whups, sorry. Here's a link to the Crucial specs:

http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=FEF2550FA5CA7304&WSMD=Latitude+CPx+Series&WSPN=CT184808



Stew

 

[Paul_in_NC]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Thanks for the reply Stew.
I am currently using XP Pro SP2 on my CPx. It works fine but is a bit
sluggish at times (I wonder why, with a 650Mhz PIII and 256MB RAM *wink*).
Do you think that I would see any significant benefit with upgrading the RAM
from 256MB to 512MB?
What was your experience with your CPx?
Paul

>> I have that model as well. PC133 won't work. You need PC100 SODIMMs.
>> I've got my 650mhz running w/the max 512mb right now.
>>
>> I tried a 256mb PC133 SODIMM (Samsung or Micron) with the original
>> matching DIMM and while the system booted (w/post beep errors), the PC133
>> stick wasn't recognized in BIOS or Windows. I ended up grabbing a Crucial
>> SODIMM off of ebay and it corrected everything.
>>
>> See if those guys can swap what you have for what you need.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>> Stew
>>
>
>
> Whups, sorry. Here's a link to the Crucial specs:
>
> http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=FEF2550FA5CA7304&WSMD=Latitude+CPx+Series&WSPN=CT184808
>
>
>
> Stew
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Paul_in_NC" <paulwilliamsREMOVETHIS@REMOVETHISnc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:WHSfe.27057$Fa.844618@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> Thanks for the reply Stew.
> I am currently using XP Pro SP2 on my CPx. It works fine but is a bit
> sluggish at times (I wonder why, with a 650Mhz PIII and 256MB RAM *wink*).
> Do you think that I would see any significant benefit with upgrading the
> RAM
> from 256MB to 512MB?
> What was your experience with your CPx?
> Paul
>


No question in my mind it was worth it, Paul. I didn't run any benchmarks,
but my perception is that it made the system performance much more crisp,
especially when multi-tasking. It also seemed to make XP much more
responsive (loading, general open/close functions, scans, file copying,
etc.)

The problem was, as is the case now, the 256mb SODIMMs are comparatively
high in cost (I upgraded some 2 years ago). That's why I worked and waited
until I could win the 2nd DIMM on ebay.

While no one will accuse the CPxJ of being "fast" by today's standards
(although certainly bullet-proof by most any measure), it's still plenty
viable for multi-web, email, office and even light photo apps. I plan on
keeping mine a while longer as it's a secondary machine for me.

If you plan on keeping the system a while, then go ahead and find a good
deal on the SODIMMs.


Stew

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Paul_in_NC wrote:
> Thanks for the reply Stew.
> I am currently using XP Pro SP2 on my CPx. It works fine but is a bit
> sluggish at times (I wonder why, with a 650Mhz PIII and 256MB RAM *wink*).
> Do you think that I would see any significant benefit with upgrading the RAM
> from 256MB to 512MB?

I think it's worth it, but it also depends on your use. If you run a
lot of programs simultaneously, it will help significantly. I suggest
downloading something like Process Explorer from sysinternals and check
your current memory usage (even just pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del and using the
Task Manager will give you a rough idea).