Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Went to upgrade the RAM on my computer from 12 to 16 gbs and now the computer won't turn on. It has turned on momentarily a few times but shuts off after a few seconds. This is an older Dell Studio XPS 8000. It is getting a bit long in the tooth but the wife says no new computer for me... I'm using an older HP all in one for this post...Any suggestions as to what to check ? The green light under the plug in the power supply area is lit as is an orange light on the motherboard so I can assume it's getting power...

drivered Loc: Capital District, NY

Have you tried to putting the old ram back in the computer and leaving out the new?

mikeglaw

Be sure your machine supports 16gb memory. Did you install the correct Ram module?

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

You are right, incompatible memory will prevent booting, how many beeps does the computer make?

2 beeps. RAM not detected.
4 beeps. Ram malfunction.

If you are hearing impaired as I am get close to the unit on boot.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Sounds like it is time to replace something and if all you have is a wife and a PC, flip a nickle! I agree with drivered, try putting the old ram back in until you find out what is not compatible.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Yeah, i have managed to get it to power up and I am getting two beeps, so the RAM isn't being detected. Should I remove the new RAM and reinsert the old?. I was told by the seller that the RAM was compatible. I had one of the locking clips come off. Could that be the problem?

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

If the clip is broken just be sure the ram is firmly seated. Put the old memory back in place and it should boot. How many memory slots does the dell have?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Possibly, if the locking tab is not there to press the ram against the contacts.
The memory modules are inserted "loose" and the clips lock them into the contacts.
If this is the case, the old ram may not work in that slot either.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

4 slots, 16GB max.... I know they say to install Ram sticks in pairs, If I take out the one, will it still work properly?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

The RAM seems to be secure in the slot...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I'd try the old ram again then.
Computer may not support 16??

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

It says it does.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I put the old RAM back in and it powers up but now it went thru an "automatic repair" which didn't work so I'm doing a system restore...

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

It is possible that you used registered or server memory, this memory may not be compatible with the system board. Go to dell.com and check for compatibility. Also check for proper population of the memory slots, you cannot just drop memory into any slot. If the slots are colored black and white, the white slots get populated first and then the black for sticks 3 and 4.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Often memory fails particularly in older PCs because it needs to be reseated. Take out all the memory (keeping note which was in which slot in case it might prove relevant later) and briefly shrub the slots with a toothbrush dipped in ipa. Wait until the alcohol has evaporated dry then reinsert the memory. If it is a reseat issue you may have to do it a couple of times if that is indeed the problem. Sometimes a brief wipe along the gold pins on the memory stick with a tissue soaked in ipa.
There are several failure things that can happen -
1. Dirty contacts especially after 10 years.
2. The socket pins can lose tension. Tricky to fix permanently although a wee bit of judicious bending of the pins with the tip of a scriber can help.
3. Sometimes you might find that maybe a memory chip driver (on the motherboard) won't drive a full complement of chips even though it should. Usually shows by removing a chip, seeing it fail, put the chip back and see if it still fails. Then confirm by swapping a couple of the chips and go through it again.

I have had all three of these happen in the past.