[lug] RAM memory modules for old machine

[Nate Duehr]

Bethany Hobson wrote:
> My machine is a Dell Dimension L500r desktop in the original 
> configuration.  It has two slots - one with a 128MB module and the other 
> empty - and would be maxed out at 512MB.  Module specs from dell.com 
> <http://dell.com>:
> 
>     DELL - 256 MB Module for a Dell Dimension L Series System
>     256 MB SDRAM, PC133, Non-Parity, Unbuffered
>     Dell Part #: A0501728, Manufacturer Part #: D48WJW
> 
> Per Ken's suggestion, I checked into the BIOS on my machine.  I updated 
> the BIOS from Dell Dimension Lxxxr A01 to A14.  Yep, it was 13 updates 
> old and now I've learned about the BIOS.  Local compren.com 
> <http://compren.com> didn't seem all that jazzed about trying again 
> since their modules didn't work for me before.  They don't have any in 
> stock anyway.  So, it's off to crucial.com <http://crucial.com> I go.  
> Thoughts?
> 
> Thanks Ken, Nate, and Nick.

You seem to be on the right track Bethany.  I just did some Google 
searching for your machine's RAM and specifications, and couldn't find 
anything direct from Dell on what it would support, but none of the 
on-line configuration tools I've checked seem to recommend anything 
larger than 256MB.

Perhaps there's a motherboard limitation on the size of chip you can 
successfully use in it.  What size was the local store trying?  512MB?

Nate