[crunch777]

I recently purchased a 10v with N280 and stock 1GB memory. Following the suggestions from these great forums, I went ahead and purchased a 2GB memory stick (CORSAIR DDR2 667MHz VS2GSDS667D2 G)

I have downgraded the bios to A05 in order to install Mac OS 10.6.2 using 0.8.3RC5.

Lately, I have had several kernel panics. I started by reinstalling the OS, maybe this was related to the build or I don't know. I never really got any clues as to what the panics were pointing to. I would see display artifacts on some of the crashes and even once while bios was loading.

I set out to run a memory tester. Kelley Computing - Rember All 3 times I ran this, crash.

I have not swapped the 1GB back in yet and will do so soon. But I decided to hit dell support up on this and say I was using Ubuntu. They tell me that this system only supports 1GB of memory. No matter what I said otherwise, or that others are using 2GB fine, they swear that 1GB is the max. (I have seen ubuntu configurations allow 2GB in the past until recently, possible change?)

I decided to dig a little, first was the setup doc for the 10v.

Connectors
one internally-accessible SO-DIMM socket

Capacities
512 MB and 1 GB

Memory type
DDR2-800 (Run @ DDR2-533 MHz)

Memory configurations possible
512 MB, 1 GB

This would confirm Dell's position on the matter. I then pulled up the Intel Chipset doc.

System Memory Support
• Supports single-channel DDR2 SDRAM only • Maximum Memory supported 2 GB • Memory Channel Topologies supported:
— Single-channel with 1 SO-DIMM only (up to 1 GB)
— Single-channel with 1 SO-DIMM (up to 1 GB) and Memory Down (up to 1 GB) • Support for DDR2 at 400 MHz and 533 MHz

So what I think based on the documents is that the 10v (1011) is a Single-channel and therefore only able to handle 1GB. I know others are successfully running 2GB so I'm lost. I will still try and get my 2GB stick replaced. I have another stick I'm giving the wife for xmas in her 10v with Win7 but I'm cautious to install it now.

Hoping for some help from the great community here.

Regards,

Brad

[holmes4]

You are looking at the wrong chipset. The 10v, like the 9, uses the 945GE which can handle a 2GB DIMM.

[crunch777]

Originally Posted by holmes4

You are looking at the wrong chipset. The 10v, like the 9, uses the 945GE which can handle a 2GB DIMM.

I could be wrong for sure but when I look at the manual, it says 945GSE and would support a theory that 1gb is max. It's not unheard of for Dell to change in the same model. Any way to confirm my chipset?

[phubai]

Out of curiosity, does your system recognize the 2GB when you choose About this Mac from the Apple menu? You had no kernel panics before upgrading your RAM? To me, your RAM may be suspect if that's the case.

It'd be nice if it were a little more accessible, wouldn't it? Mine hasn't come in yet, so I've yet to enjoy finding all of the parts I removed to get to the memory module. And it'd sure be nice, if you could test it before putting it all back together.

[holmes4]

I've been through this route with someone else before. Intel says 2GB for the 945GSE. It's easy to get confused because so many variants are listed in the document. Dell did not change the chipset in the 10v.

[crunch777]

Originally Posted by phubai

Out of curiosity, does your system recognize the 2GB when you choose About this Mac from the Apple menu? You had no kernel panics before upgrading your RAM? To me, your RAM may be suspect if that's the case.

It'd be nice if it were a little more accessible, wouldn't it? Mine hasn't come in yet, so I've yet to enjoy finding all of the parts I removed to get to the memory module. And it'd sure be nice, if you could test it before putting it all back together.

Yes about this mac showed the 2GB. I had no KP's before that so I'm going on the premise that the RAM is suspect. It's just all of the Dell rig-a-ma-roll has me pissed off enough to find the exact answers. Yes, I know everyone is doing it. I'm a technical person in the IT field, I like to have answers. Dell, at least this guy, said our chat session was written proof, LMAO!

Anyway, I have a tip that I don't remember where I saw it but... Inside the box, there is a cardboard top plate with dimples. They are perfect for holding the screws, just use a pen to label the spots you took them out from. There are not many parts in play here but I don't like to leave memory to chance. I have 2 of these and now done this 4 times so it's easier now.

Another tip, in the video, he shows using pressure on the palm rest to pop it free. I may be HULK but I bent mine and had to get it replaced. Since then, I realize that you need to go at it from the front. I used a guitar pick, it's plastic and won't mess up the palm rest. Also handy for the keyboard snap and top plate snaps. Good Luck, Have Fun!

[phubai]

Originally Posted by crunch777

Yes about this mac showed the 2GB. I had no KP's before that so I'm going on the premise that the RAM is suspect. It's just all of the Dell rig-a-ma-roll has me pissed off enough to find the exact answers. Yes, I know everyone is doing it. I'm a technical person in the IT field, I like to have answers. Dell, at least this guy, said our chat session was written proof, LMAO!

Anyway, I have a tip that I don't remember where I saw it but... Inside the box, there is a cardboard top plate with dimples. They are perfect for holding the screws, just use a pen to label the spots you took them out from. There are not many parts in play here but I don't like to leave memory to chance. I have 2 of these and now done this 4 times so it's easier now.

Another tip, in the video, he shows using pressure on the palm rest to pop it free. I may be HULK but I bent mine and had to get it replaced. Since then, I realize that you need to go at it from the front. I used a guitar pick, it's plastic and won't mess up the palm rest. Also handy for the keyboard snap and top plate snaps. Good Luck, Have Fun!

Thanks for the tips...I wouldn't have thought of using the cardboard top plate and I appreciate the advice on the palm rest too. Good-luck on your memory issue, and I'd sure like to know the results if you get a chance.

Bob