CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the System Information Guide.
You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. For information on the type of memory supported by your computer, see "Specifications."
Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your computer and
attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your computer,
turn them off now.
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then
unplug it from the network wall jack.
Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from electrical outlets, and then
press the power button to ground the system board.
If you have installed a padlock through the padlock ring on the back panel, remove the
padlock.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.
NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an
unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work,
periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate any static electricity that could harm
internal components.
Memory module connectors must be upgraded in matched pairs. Memory module connectors 1 and 2 must contain modules of identical size, type, speed, and number of chips and memory module connectors 3 and 4 must contain modules of identical size, type, speed, and number of chips. To locate the memory sockets on the system board, see the system board components illustration (for the Dell Precision 450 computer, see "System Board Components" or for the Dell Precision 650 computer, see "System Board Components") or the system board label inside your computer.
Before you install new memory modules, download the most recent BIOS for your computer from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Your computer supports a maximum of 4GB of memory when using four 1-GB DIMMs. Current operating systems, such as Microsoft® Windows® 2000 and Windows XP, can only utilize a maximum of 4 GB of address space; however, the amount of memory available to the operating system is slightly less than 4 GB. Certain components within the computer require address space in the 4-GB range. Any address space reserved for these components cannot be used by computer memory. The following is a list of components that require memory address space:
System ROM
APIC(s)
Integrated PCI devices, such as network connector, SCSI controller, and IEEE 1394 controller
PCI and AGP cards
The AGP Aperture size specified in system setup
At start-up the BIOS identifies the components that require address space. The BIOS dynamically calculates the amount of reserved address space required. It then subtracts the reserved address space from 4 GB to determine the amount of usable space.
If the total installed computer memory is less than the usable space, all installed computer memory is available for use only by the operating system.
If the total installed computer memory is equal to or greater than the usable address space, a small portion of installed memory is available for use by the operating system.
Press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module connector.
Align the notch on the bottom of the module with the crossbar in the connector.
Insert the module into the connector, ensuring that it fits into the guides at each end
of the connector. Carefully press each end of the module into place.
The memory module socket has alignment keys that allow the memory module to be installed in the socket only one way.
Pull up on the securing clips to lock the modules into place.
If you insert the module correctly, the securing clips snap into the cutouts at each end of the module.
When the memory module is properly seated in the socket, the securing clips on the memory module socket should align with the securing clips on the other sockets with memory modules installed.
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 10.
If the memory total is incorrect, turn off and disconnect your computer and devices
from 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 step 4 through step 7.
When the System Memory total is correct, press <Esc> to exit system setup.
Run the Dell Diagnostics to verify that the memory modules are operating properly.
