Solved How do I know if I can increase my RAM

[Aurondium]

Just upped my 2007 Dell Dimension 9200 from Vista Home Premium 32bit to Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit.

Have 4 Gb of Ram in 4 x 1G configuration and am wondering if I can increase it to 8Gb in 4 x 2 configuration.

Am I restricted to the DDR type I already have in?

Thank you.

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Hello Aurondium,

Use this online RAM scanner to find out the type and maximum amount of memory you can install.

Use the Crucial System Scanner software to find out what type of memory is in your computer

Visit Dell support here for more information:

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19?c=us&l=en&s=dhs

Just enter your service tag or use the auto detect to scan your system.


You can only use DDR type specific to your Motherboard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIMM

DDR means DDR1 which means rams of frequencies 266/333/400 MHz...whereas DDR2 has 533/600 MHz frequencies.

A DDR1 Ram card will not physically fit in a DDR2 slot.

Hope this helps,
John

 

[Mellon Head]

According to Dell, that computer only supports 4 GB of RAM:

ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-prod...ktops/dimension-9200_owner's manual_en-us.pdf

I did see a variant on Wikipedia that says the 9200 can support up to 8 GB, but that's Wikipedia and I would be skeptical. With a machine that's six years old, I don't think I would chance buying the extra memory in case it doesn't work.

 

[Aurondium]

Thank you, John.

Crucial is showing me as having a Dimension 9200 Model XPS410. To my surprise, that's what my 2007 Dell Invoice shows, too, (it was a gift from my son) but the machine system shown via my screen via the System screen - before I installed Windows 7) showed a Dell Dimension 9200 Model XP061.

A few weeks ago I spoke to a Dell rep and was told very clearly I couldn't upgrade to Windows 7 on my machine because the system I had was designed specifically for Vista. I did a clean install anyway and it worked, but I'm wondering if the original Dell data is still being seen by Crucial.

I don't trust Dell any more and when I linked to my Service tag a few minutes ago my system didn't come up atomatically as it usually does and when they asked for authorisation and permission to analyze my system I backed off.

Hello Aurondium,

Use this online RAM scanner to find out the type and maximum amount of memory you can install.

Use the Crucial System Scanner software to find out what type of memory is in your computer

You can visit Dell support here:

Support for Home | Dell US

Just enter your service tag or use the auto detect to scan your system.

Hope this helps,
John

 

[Aurondium]

Thank you, Mellon Head.

So maybe my sensible option is to leave this machine as is and build a new one myself rather than tinker with a machine that was not designed to be tinkered with.

According to Dell, that computer only supports 4 GB of RAM:

ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-prod...ktops/dimension-9200_owner's manual_en-us.pdf

I did see a variant on Wikipedia that says the 9200 can support up to 8 GB, but that's Wikipedia and I would be skeptical. With a machine that's six years old, I don't think I would chance buying the extra memory in case it doesn't work.

 

[SIW2]

I am curious why you think you may benefit from having more than 4gb. Are you planning on running several VMs ?

 

[Aurondium]

If that means Video Monitors, yes, that was in the back of my mind for the future.

I am not a techie so please excuse my apparent ignorance of some terms.

I am curious why you think you may benefit from having more than 4gb. Are you planning on running several VMs ?

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Thank you, John.

Crucial is showing me as having a Dimension 9200 Model XPS410. To my surprise, that's what my 2007 Dell Invoice shows, too, (it was a gift from my son) but the machine system shown via my screen via the System screen - before I installed Windows 7) showed a Dell Dimension 9200 Model XP061.

A few weeks ago I spoke to a Dell rep and was told very clearly I couldn't upgrade to Windows 7 on my machine because the system I had was designed specifically for Vista. I did a clean install anyway and it worked, but I'm wondering if the original Dell data is still being seen by Crucial.

I don't trust Dell any more and when I linked to my Service tag a few minutes ago my system didn't come up atomatically as it usually does and when they asked for authorisation and permission to analyze my system I backed off.

Hello Aurondium,

Use this online RAM scanner to find out the type and maximum amount of memory you can install.

Use the Crucial System Scanner software to find out what type of memory is in your computer

You can visit Dell support here:

Support for Home | Dell US

Just enter your service tag or use the auto detect to scan your system.

Hope this helps,
John

Hey Aurondium,

Scanner are not always 100%. But, in most cases are helpful.

I just looked on eBay for your RAM, it appears the most you can buy there is 4GB. (4x1GB).

When you upgraded to Windows 7, did you use the Upgrade Advisor?

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Download - Microsoft Windows

There's a note on there which states if you have Windows Vista, you can most likely upgrade to Windows 7 without any issues.

As long as your hardware supports both 32-bit and 64-bit systems... It should work.

Just by upgrading to a 64-bit system you are now using more RAM.

Clearing up the 32/64-bit memory limit confusion | ZDNet

John

 

[Aurondium]

Yes - I had no problem installing Windows 7 and did use the Advisor.

Forgive me for being thick, John, but what do you mean by the 'It' in 'It should work'?

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Aurondium,

LOL, I was not an English major. The it meant the upgrade should work.

John

 

[Aurondium]

Gotcha- yes, it is working. Thank you.

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Gotcha- yes, it is working. Thank you.

And just to paraphrase my earlier statement.

As long as your hardware supports both 32-bit and 64-bit systems... an upgrade from Windows Vista 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit should work.

Regards,
John