Regarding the RAMBUS Rimms for the Dell Dimension 8100.
I have two Dimension 8100; one with 128 MB of RAM and PentiumIV 1.3 GHz, the second one has 256 MB RAM and PentiumIV 1.4 GHz, both using WinME as operating system.
What I have done will probably answer several questions posted on this site:
I have increased the memory on the 1.3 GHz by adding the 256 from the second Dimension. I have now all 4 slots taken, i.e. 2x64=128 + 2x128=256 for a total of 384 MB. As advised by Dell technical people themselves (and as found out on some techical magazines) I have placed the larger Rimms nearest the processor.
In other words I have the 2x128MB nearest the processor, followed by the 2x64.
Although the two sets of Rimms were produced by differet manufacturers (Toshiba and Samsung) they work perfectly well. They came with the original PCs and were therefore compatible with the Dell system!
And this brings us onto the second point: compatibility with the Dell system.
As many of the readers on this site, I thought that the Rimms sold by Dell were too expensive (although Dell has now greatly reduced their price!) and so went looking for a cheaper alternative when trying to increase the RAM on the second 8100 I have.
I bought 2x256MB Rimms from Kingston memory (I bought their KVR memory, i.e. Kingston Value RAM). I could only buy a max of 512MB otherwise I would be forced to change from WindowsME to WindowsXP - 1) I cannot afford it at the moment, and 2) I use Windows XP at work, and honestly it does not strike me as being that much better than WinME.
Anyway going back to the memory issue ... I installed the 512MB of KVR (£ 150 from DABS) and soon I started having problems - huge problems. When using Excel, it seemed as if I was using a PentiumIII with 32MB of RAM; when using Adobe Illustrator the system became very slow and kept getting stuck.
Went looking for help on the Internet and found out that unfortunately Dell (and other computer manufacturers) set up the BIOS in such a way that it can recognise if the RAM being used is of a type "authorised" by Dell.
Unfortunately KVR (although produced by Kingston) is not.
Cutting the story short. I have returned the KVR to the store where I purchased it and I am now looking for Kingston RAM specifically designed for a Dimension 8100 with WinME as operating system. In other words, I am looking to purchase 4x128MB or 2x256MB Rimms.
I can only buy up to a maximum of 512MB since WinME "officially" can only recognise 512MB RAM (although you can always tweak the settings ...).
UNFORTUNATELY Kingston has ceased production of these Rimms. By the way the Kingston part number for the 2x256 PC800 NON-ECC Rimms for the Dimension8100 is: KTD-DM800/512.
However Kingston still produces the 2x512 Rimms, but this would force me to upgrade the operating system to WinXP. Still not ready for it!
Anyway Kingston has ceased production of the Rimms I am looking for; DABS (here in London, UK) seemed to store them. I ordered them 3 weeks ago ... and I am still waiting for them.
My impression is that DABS do not have them either, have contacted Kingston and have found out they are not produced anymore. They keep telling me they will be delivered within the next few days ...
I now plan to buy them directly from Dell ... hopefull they should still have a couple of them lying around. By the way the Dell part # is IM-342ZA88. The price quoted by Dell UK on their website is £229.90 + £9.40 (del.) = £ 239.30.
Not much more expensive than DABS - the latter is supposed to be the cheapest of the cheapest.
DABS sell them for £228 +approx £5 delivery
So the final message is:
- if you have a Dimension 8100 and plan to increase the RAM, do not go for a cheap alternative. Dell does not forgive you.
- either hurry up in buying the correct Kingston memory from Dell - the only still storing it probably (and for a price not too different from other retailers - see above). Given the difficulty in finding it, I suggest buying the maximum amount of memory i.e. 512MB
- or consider upgrading to WinXP - however you will have a cost of OS upgrade and memory upgrade. Furthermore you will be forced to buy 2x512 Rimms!
P.S. if you already have WinXP as the OS then all of the above doesn't really apply to you.
Kingston still sell the 2x512 PC800 Rimms.
Good luck
