2 GB Ram is not working

[Joseph Han]

Hi guys I have bought Princeton 2 GB DDR2 800 MHz Dual channel when I installed the ram on my computer DELL OPTIPLEX 745 2 and 4 error lights glow. When I press power button the bios doesn't load with no beep sound when I installed it in DIMM 3. But when I installed it in DIMM 1, 2, or 4 Bios doesn't load and give me the beep sound. But all the fans were running and when I touched the RAM it was also normal warm.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please Help. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Why did you choose "Princeton 2 GB DDR2 800 MHz Dual channel" RAM rather than something else?

 

[Joseph Han]

Because the Shopkeeper said its good and cheap.

 

[essenbe]

With all due respect to the shopkeeper, my experience with computer parts is that good and cheap rarely belong in the same sentence.

 

[Joseph Han]

Ok ok I get it but tell me the solution.

 

[DocBrown]

You need to find out the maximum memory your motherboard will take and what type and speed memory it will take.

Google is your friend

 

[OvenMaster]

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/opti_745techspecs.pdf
Maximum RAM accommodated is 8GB unless you have the Ultra Small Form Factor. That chassis limit is 4GB.

The manual
ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-745_user%27s%20guide_en-us.pdf
also says that after you install more RAM, you need to follow these instructions:

The computer detects that the new memory does not match the existing configuration information and generates the following message:
The amount of system memory has changed.
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility
9. Press <F2> to enter system setup and check the value for System Memory.
The computer should have changed the value of System Memory to reflect the newly installed memory. Verify the new total. If it is correct, skip to
step 11.
10. If the memory total is incorrect, turn off and disconnect your computer and devices from their electrical outlets. Open the computer cover and check the
installed memory modules to ensure that they are seated properly in their sockets. Then repeat steps 7, 8, and 9.
11. When the System Memory total is correct, press <Esc> to exit system setup.
12. Run the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics) to verify that the memory modules are operating properly.

If you're doing all this, and still have a problem, my first thought is that you've got a malfunctioning motherboard.

 

[OvenMaster]

It seems that you aren't alone in trying to use 800MHz 2GB RAM sticks and having it fail.
Optiplex 745 supported memory options - Desktop General Hardware Forum - Desktop - Dell Community
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/18943324/19072844.aspx

 

[carwiz]

According to the specs, 2GB 800Mhz DIMMs are not supported. You have to use 667Mhz DIMMs or drop to 512 or 1GB DIMMs for 800Mhz.

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/opti_745techspecs.pdf

 

[Joseph Han]

Thanks to all of you to give me all this information but I know that tooo. But when I installed 2 gb ram in my computer it was working and when take it off and then installed it wasn't working.

 

[Berton]

One thing that always should be done to prevent damage to parts plugged into a motherboard is to pull the power cord out then press the power button, or wait a minute. Motherboards of the last several years always have power to them when plugged in, most have a small light on the board to indicate that. Removing things like the RAM modules and PCI cards can cause damage to them if the residual power is still present.

Back in the AT motherboard days the power switch was connected directly to the power supply, the newer ATX/mATX boards control the power where the power supply is connected to the board and the power switch on the case is also connected to the board and only tells the board to turn things on or shut down. Or in other words the ATX boards control what the power supply does, not the case switch.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Your last post implies that the new 2 GB of 800 MHz RAM worked. You say "it was working" and only failed to work after you uninstalled it and then reinstalled it.

Your first post implies it never worked.

So I'm confused.

The manual Carwiz links to in post 9 says this:

"Module types supported: 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB (800 MHz not available in 2 GB DIMM)."

Are you trying to use a single 2 GB stick of 800 MHz RAM??

Or two 1 GB sticks?

In your first post, you say "when I installed it in DIMM 3"...

That implies you have just one stick. A 2 GB stick.

According to Dell, that is "not available", which I take to mean "not supported".

So, I wouldn't expect it to work.

But maybe we don't understand what you have or what you have done.