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" in your User's Guide.
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.
1
notch
2
memory module securing clips (2)
3
alignment keys
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.
NOTICE: To connect
a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then
plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to
electrical outlets, and turn them on.
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
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 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.
