Where did my RAM go, it's lost?

[jpt85]

I have a Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop, Pentium 4, 2.8 GHZ computer with 1 Gig of RAM. While checking the system properties of my computer, I was startled to learn that my computer was showing that I had only 512 MB of RAM. The last time I checked it and every other time I've checked it, it read the correct 1 Gig of RAM. Where did it go? Is it possible that I have two 512 MB chips installed and one of them quit working? How can I tell if this is the case? Any one got any suggestions on where I can find my seemingly lost RAM? (I'm a poor little RAM who's lost his way, Baa....Baa.....Baa....sorry, couldn't resist!)

I know my computer is using less than 512 MB of RAM since the video editing application I've been using has had a lot of performance issues with it, probably related to this lessened RAM amount.

Anyone, thanks!

[Dr. DOS]

Flip the laptop over, unscrew the cover that holds the ram, pop the ram, clean the gold fingers and reseat the ram again. Fire it up and see what you get. (Personally I use a pencil eraser to clean the gold contacts but others may have a better idea)

What does the bios read on boot. 512M or 1G? I the bios is reading 1G then it is Windows that has lost its way.

Good luck

[edsmith77]

jpt85,
I think you have a couple of options. I am not familiar with your particular brand of notebook but somewhere on the back of the computer is a small door or cover typically held in place with a single screw. Remove the memory cover and if you have two (2) sticks installed. Remove one and reboot. Notice the available memory. If it did not change, then shutdown, and swap the remaining stick witht the just removed one and reboot. Again note the available memory.
If your PC fails to boot in either instance or gives you a memory warning or error, then theres your answer. You have a bad memory stick. If both sticks seem to work fine, then maybe one had become unlodged. It is a notebook afterall and does get some banging around.
If you only have a single stick of memory, then chances are you have lost a bank in your memory stick and you can either continue with what you have or ugh , get some more.
You could also check your CMOS to ensure that nothing there has inadvertently been altered.

Maybe some others will weigh in here with some different options or ideas. The above would be my first trouble shooting steps.

Ed

[Bjs]

Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop ... metal cover on the underside ... remove screws , then cover , remove ram modules , clean contacts carefully , reinsert firmly , re-attach cover .

You should remove the laptops battery before removing the cover / ram modules .