SOLVED: Problem upgrading memory on Dell Inspiron 5100

["G Rundlett" <user=179@nabble.blu.org>]

 On Sun, Aug 3, 2008 at 9:08 AM, Greg Rundlett <[hidden email]> wrote: 

>> Though the page doesn't explain what would happen if you tried. Presumably 
>> the BIOS updater would prohibit the upgrade. So if it now works, that 
>> implies that Dell fixed the updater to do what it needs to do. 
>> 
I'm at least one proof that you can update a A06 BIOS directly to A32 
BIOS on the Dell Inspiron 1100 or 5100 (Note that the changelog is 
identical for both models, and they have the same BIOS) 

With the A32 BIOS, you /can/ run 2GB of memory in a Dell Inspiron 
5100, even though Dell or Crucial will not tell you that. 

I'm writing this message running on 2GB of memory.  Yay. 

I bought and installed 2 x Transcend 1GB 200-Pin DDR SO-DIMM DDR 333 
(PC 2700) Laptop Memory.  With the A32 BIOS, it worked just fine. 
This memory is definitely 2.5V which is what the specs for the system 
call for. 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208015

relevant output from 
$ sudo dmidecode 

Handle 0x0000, DMI type 0, 20 bytes 
BIOS Information 
        Vendor: Dell Computer Corporation 
        Version: A32 
        Release Date: 10/18/2004 
        Address: 0xF0000 
        Runtime Size: 64 kB 
        ROM Size: 576 kB 
[snip] 
Handle 0x1000, DMI type 16, 15 bytes 
Physical Memory Array 
        Location: System Board Or Motherboard 
        Use: System Memory 
        Error Correction Type: None 
        Maximum Capacity: 2 GB 
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided 
        Number Of Devices: 2 

Handle 0x1100, DMI type 17, 27 bytes 
Memory Device 
        Array Handle: 0x1000 
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided 
        Total Width: 64 bits 
        Data Width: 64 bits 
        Size: 1024 MB 
        Form Factor: DIMM 
        Set: None 
        Locator: DIMM_A 
        Bank Locator: Not Specified 
        Type: DDR 
        Type Detail: Synchronous 
        Speed: 266 MHz (3.8 ns) 
        Manufacturer: Not Specified 
        Serial Number: Not Specified 
        Asset Tag: Not Specified 
        Part Number: 

Handle 0x1101, DMI type 17, 27 bytes 
Memory Device 
        Array Handle: 0x1000 
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided 
        Total Width: 64 bits 
        Data Width: 64 bits 
        Size: 1024 MB 
        Form Factor: DIMM 
        Set: None 
        Locator: DIMM_B 
        Bank Locator: Not Specified 
        Type: DDR 
        Type Detail: Synchronous 
        Speed: 266 MHz (3.8 ns) 
        Manufacturer: Not Specified 
        Serial Number: Not Specified 
        Asset Tag: Not Specified 
        Part Number: 


Next little project in the renovation of this notebook:  I'm going to 
improve the CPU cooling using Thermaltake Arctic Silver thermal grease 
between the CPU and cooling unit.  The current chip is "baked on" 
because the original grease has become so overheated and dried.  This 
makes me think that it may have lost some thermal conductivity. 

-- 
freephile 

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