Dell Dimension E521 Memory Upgrade Fail

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Rob_S

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Jun 11, 2014
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My Inlaws have a Dell Dimension E521 with AMD 64 Athlon 3200, 2 X DDR2 PC3200 512MB, running Windows Vista Home Premium. I wanted to upgrade the memory and install Windows 7. I removed the old memory and installed 2 X DDR2 PC6400 2G memory. Now I keep getting the BSOD with different errors. One mentioned bad pool header. I'm sure it has to do with the memory, but i don't understand why. Never upgraded to Win7. Any suggestions?
 
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somebodyspecial

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Sep 20, 2012
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There is usually a sticker on the modules with timings that you should use in the bios manually and disable SPD for the easy way. If you'd been having problems all of the sudden with working modules (and they just started doing this) I'd say use them one at a time to prove which module sucks (do this anyway after timings changes to what is ON the module). But both being new I say the easiest thing is to go manual with the timings. You may need a later bios for the board to recognize later memory (usually says updating compatibility for memory modules, or something like that in the info file for the bios file). Newegg etc usually have the stickers or the info in the description like 5-5-5-9 or 5-5-5-11 etc or sometimes you can get them at amazon, crucual too among other places (usually always on makers website).

If timings don't work (and write down what they were before you do that) then try one module at a time in dimm1. Run memtest86 or prime95 for a while to test it. Let us know how that goes.
 
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somebodyspecial

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Sep 20, 2012
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http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/dimension-e521
Same as the other poster said. Even crucial thinks its 4x1GB as they only sell 1GBx2 kits. You bought the wrong memory. I always check Crucial or Kingston before buying to see what they say about bank info etc as I've seen where dell's info wasn't accurate with board revs etc. I was a dell WPD/DCSE tech at my company so we saw how bad their own data was at times, probably to get you to upgrade to a new unit. Dell gives some hints in what they offer as upgrades also (though I wouldn't buy there, just checking to see what they pitch you).

There are ways around what dell says is supported OS, once you know your vid card model etc. They may not mention there are drivers for a newer/older OS on YOUR machine's page but the exact ones needed are at times listed on a newer/older model that shipped after/before yours (same chipset, vidcard, maybe sound also etc). Dell really doesn't want you to do anything but buy a new box...LOL. I just ran through this a few months ago for radeon 7570 win7 drivers for a relative who bought a win8 box and hated it. Everything for win7 was under a model previously to his. Works fine on win7 with dell drivers now (depending on models you can sometimes use direct AMD/Nvidia ref drivers also). Honestly sticking $80 in memory on this is a waste IMHO since it looks like you're be doing a return. You can get a newer bottom rung model with vastly updated tech for $300 from dell etc. Just a quick check I found a $250/329 model on their front page already with 4GB a new OS (though I'd probably go back to win7 immediately after arrival...LOL), 500GB drive etc. The difference appears to be cpu only celeron dual or pentium dual. But 220w psu means you won't be sticking in anything over NV 750 or so that is <75w. Just some thoughts.
 
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LegendJared

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Aug 27, 2013
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I have 8GB of ddr2 pc6400 curcial memory in mine it works perfectly fine has windows 7 64bit and a AMD althon x2 6400 if your interested in upgradeing the processor just ask me I have been working with mine for years
 
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