How to upgrade memory on Dell Dimension 4400 desktop?

Question

I have 2 memory slots - current setup is: 1 256mb card and 1 128mb memory card. I bought the following memory on Amazon: "Viking DL1325 512MB Unbuffered Non-ECC DDR266/PC2100 DIMM Memory" and installed it (along with the 256mb card in the 2nd slot). My PC only recognizes the 256mb card, even though the 512mb card is in the other slot. The Kingston site recommends this memory: "Kingston 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 266 (PC 2100) System Specific Memory for Dell." Sounds a lot like the Viking memory I already bought. Did I buy the wrong memory, or am I missing something (perhaps I have to have 2 512mb cards at one time?). Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer 1

Most of that "for Dell" junk is just a way to sell you more expensive stuff that you don't really need. It is based on the fact that about six years ago you had to buy a special power supply for Dells, and now it has almost become an urban legend that Dells require "special" parts, they don't for the most part. I would recommend that you put the 512 stick into Slot 1 (the one the 256 was originally in) and then the 256 into Slot 2 (the one the 128 was in). On most motherboards if you have different sized sticks, you need the bigger one in Slot 1. If that doesn't work, try the 512 in Slot 1 by itself. If that doesn't work, then I would say you have a bad stick, just get a refund/replacement.

Answer 2

Yes Kingston's recommendation sounds a lot like the Viking memory that you bought, except for two words "for Dell." Dell machines have to use 'certified for Dell' parts. The same thing happened to me twice before I got wise.

This is why I don't like Dell, you have to buy specific parts for their machines. They are the only company that I know of that does this.

This should work for your system: http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=908DA64FA5CA7304&prs=USNEXTAG or you can try Crucial.com's memory scanner to be sure.