Dell Latitude E6500 does not recognize the 2nd RAM stick: options?

**ilyaz** · 06-25-2015, 11:19 PM

I have a Dell Latitude E6500 with a single 4GB stick of RAM in slot A. I bought a 2nd stick of the same type, added it to slot B but in BIOS it still says 4GB and also that DIMM slot B is empty.

I swapped the two sticks and got the same result. So it looks like RAM is good but there is either a problem with the 2nd slot or with the machine not recognizing the 2nd stick.

If the slot is bad, which seems to be more likely, any chance that it can actually be fixed either by fiddling with the hardware (short or actually replacing the motherboard) or by using some type of software tool?

FWIW, here are some extra specs:
- CPU Intel Core2 Duo CPU P8400 @ 2.26GHz
- DDR2 SDRAM memory
- Running Ubuntu 14.04 64bit

Thx

**matador** · 06-25-2015, 11:37 PM

Usually, a bad RAM slot will need the motherboard to be replaced. I did a motherboard replacement on a 6500 a while ago. It wasn't too bad.

But first, check to see if there is a BIOS limitation. If you have 2 smaller sticks, see if they'll both be recognized.

**t00nces2** · 06-25-2015, 11:40 PM

Are you sure that the Linux kernel is aware of the secondary slot? I am no Linux expert, but I did do some work with it years ago and it was a little tempermental about recognizing hardware. Are you sure you have the correct drivers? As I remember, it was not as plug and play as newer Windows boxes. If you run Belarc Advisor, does it see the secondary slot?

**Mechanic688** · 06-25-2015, 11:42 PM

I had an old computer I tried to upgrade the ram and bought a second stick of 512 and the mboard would not support it, I had to run it at 512 only.

Did the same thing as you mentioned, and I thought it was the slot. 'Puter shop told me it was too much ram after I showed them the spec's for the computer.

Employee didn't know this but owner of the store did. He was around when they came out new.

**webuyselltradestuff** · 06-26-2015, 12:17 AM

specs for you...it can handle 8gb

Dell Latitude E6500 Specs - CNET

quick google search on your OS and ram issues...well let's just say all sorts of stuff it could be. Generally they involve checking certain things in the bios (I would make sure the 2nd slot is enabled first)...and then some programming types of things. Unless you are a Linux guy, you picked a hard OS to deal with (well for most people)...if you are a Linux guy, then see if a google search will trigger some ideas....personally, no Linux for me unless a server and even THEN I do NOT want to do SSH commands to do stuff...desktops and laptops...Windows is just fine by me and much easier to support.

**matador** · 06-26-2015, 12:22 AM

I am a Linux enthusiast.

The kernals have become a lot more upgrade-friendly. I've literally pulled my own hard drive out of my laptop once, and stuck it into a desktop. Linux booted right up, and I didn't need any drivers. My office desktop hard drive has been in three different desktops without a hitch. Linux is very upgrade friendly. Even if you're running 32-bit Linux, the kernal will handle up to 16GB of RAM, due to how it handles the PAE flag.

Since the BIOS isn't showing the RAM, the OS can't be the problem.

**webuyselltradestuff** · 06-26-2015, 01:06 AM

again I saw something when I googled it about making sure both ram slots were active...but I have NEVER seen that in a bios myself...unless they were talking about something in Linux. Certainly could be a back slot. Other option would be to switch the working ram stick and put into slot B...should boot from either...

**matador** · 06-26-2015, 01:13 AM

That's what I'd try if you don't have two smaller sticks. As far as I'm aware, Linux doesn't have that issue. I can't think that 14.04 have an issue with 8GB.

I wonder if there was a BIOS update from Dell?