Dell Dimension 3000 won't post

[MixedNuts]

Hey guys, my Wife's Dell is in need of a RAM upgrade. I tried putting in 2 512 sticks of DDR400. The sticks I removed only had chips on 1 side and the replacement RAM has chips on both sides. The computer won't post with it and beeps 3 times and won't go any further. Any ideas?

[Sick Willie]

Hey guys, my Wife's Dell is in need of a RAM upgrade. I tried putting in 2 512 sticks of DDR400. The sticks I removed only had chips on 1 side and the replacement RAM has chips on both sides. The computer won't post with it and beeps 3 times and won't go any further. Any ideas?

Does it work with just one of the new sticks?

[MixedNuts]

Does it work with just one of the new sticks?

I didn't try it with 1 stick. The currrent config is 2 sticks of DDR400 256mb

[Sick Willie]

I understand that. But to troubleshoot, try it with one stick of the new memory and see what happens. Try both sticks one stick at a time...

[MixedNuts]

I understand that. But to troubleshoot, try it with one stick of the new memory and see what happens. Try both sticks one stick at a time...

Ok I'll give it a try. I just thought that maybe the RAM wasn't compatible

[wonkanoby]

and stick it in slot nearest the cpu

[Sick Willie]

and stick it in slot nearest the cpu

Actually, try it in each one. Not all boards use the nearest slot as primary and not all boards care which slot is used.

[MixedNuts]

Actually, try it in each one. Not all boards use the nearest slot as primary and not all boards care which slot is used.

I think my problem was installer error. I tried 1 stick this morning in the slot closest to the CPU and it fired right up. Installed the second stick, fired right up. Now running 1gb in Dual Channel. My guess is that I didn't get one or both(who knows) snapped in tight enough. But all seems to be good right now and the wife's happy.
Thanks for your help Sick Willie

[wonkanoby]

That may be so but its not whgat dells manual says when it comes to that one

it says dimm 3 nearest cpu

funny why with only 2 dimm slots thet call them 3 and 4 though

[Sick Willie]

I think my problem was installer error. I tried 1 stick this morning in the slot closest to the CPU and it fired right up. Installed the second stick, fired right up. Now running 1gb in Dual Channel. My guess is that I didn't get one or both(who knows) snapped in tight enough. But all seems to be good right now and the wife's happy.
Thanks for your help Sick Willie

That may be so but its not whgat dells manual says when it comes to that one

it says dimm 3 nearest cpu

funny why with only 2 dimm slots thet call them 3 and 4 though

Perhaps a generic manual? Not all Dimension 3000s are the same, for sure.

[MixedNuts]

That may be so but its not whgat dells manual says when it comes to that one

it says dimm 3 nearest cpu

funny why with only 2 dimm slots thet call them 3 and 4 though

You're right. There are only 2 slots on that board. It's up and running, that's all that matters. Thanks for your help too.