Help With Old Inspiron 2650

bilboe

Distinguished
Nov 27, 2008
3
0
18,510
Hello All!

I have an old Inspiron 2650, which I want to make a little faster. It has 128 mb in the non-user accessible slot, under the keyboard. It also has 256 mb in the user-accessible slot under the computer. The computer has a maximum RAM of 512mb. However, if I put in a 512 in the user accessible slot, will it only use the 128 module, or will it address 512 of the 640mb installed?
 

frozenlead

Distinguished
It should address all the RAM, regardless of what slot it's in. However, the computer may not recognize it, since it has a limitation of 512MB. You need to find out if it's supported maximum is 512MB per slot or 512MB total.
 

bilboe

Distinguished
Nov 27, 2008
3
0
18,510


The maximum is 512 total. Does that mean it will only recognise the whole 512 mb stick, only the whole 128 mb stick, or 512 of the whole 640mb?

Thanks!
 

frozenlead

Distinguished
There's no real way to say how it will react to the 512 stick. Since the limit is 512MB total, that means the limit per slot should be 256MB. If the stick you put in is double-sided, it may only use one side (I've seen it happen before), but else, it might just reject the stick. If you can return the stick for a full refund, there's no harm in trying.
 

bilboe

Distinguished
Nov 27, 2008
3
0
18,510


So would you recommend buying this 512 stick: Amazon (only place with a full refund) 512mb DDR 2100 and then seeing if it works?

Because the max is 512, and there is another 128 mb stick, is there a way to disable the second stick in the bios?
 

bigfysh3

Distinguished
Apr 23, 2009
21
0
18,560
I had an Inspiron 2600 that was the same way. They are basically the same system. Tried bumping it over the 512 Limit, and was not able to achieve. If you are comfortable with it, you can go with a non-standard BIOS right from Intel that may allow you to see more RAM, but you run the risk of roasting the BIOS.