XP (Home) graphics problem.

[[email protected]]

Hello. I ordered a 1 GB memory module from Dell for a Dell DM4550 533 Mhz
with 256 KB ram. I noted to the on-line agent that the doco seemed to
indicate that the max. memory capacity of my model was 512 / slot, but he
responded that Dell had introduced a 1 GB module compatible with my system,
so I ordered and installed the add'l memory. Rather than replace the
existing 256 module, I just installed the add-on memory in the 2nd slot, so
am now running w/ 1.25 GB. Right after I installed the new memory, I noticed
a graphics problem. The 'startup' Windows logo was off-center - which isn't
a show stopper - but all of a sudden one of my grandson's pc games was split
screen (actually, 1/3 of a full screen, a heavy black vertical line, and then
the remaining 2/3 of the screen). To move the cursor to the left 1/3
section, for example, you have to leave the window on the right side and
'come around the back'. This definitely makes the game more challenging, but
I think I'd rather fix the problem. My first thought is to remove the 256 kb
module and put the 1 GB chip into the first slot, but that's just a 'nothing
to lose' guess. Does this sound more like a driver issue? Would it be worth
my while to upgrade the video driver and/or go with the original mfg. specs
of 512 / slot? Any ideas would be sincerely appreciated. Thanks.

[John Inzer]

wrote:
> Hello. I ordered a 1 GB memory module from Dell for a Dell DM4550
> 533 Mhz with 256 KB ram. I noted to the on-line agent that the doco
> seemed to indicate that the max. memory capacity of my model was 512
> / slot, but he responded that Dell had introduced a 1 GB module
> compatible with my system, so I ordered and installed the add'l
> memory. Rather than replace the existing 256 module, I just
> installed the add-on memory in the 2nd slot, so am now running w/
> 1.25 GB. Right after I installed the new memory, I noticed a
> graphics problem. The 'startup' Windows logo was off-center - which
> isn't a show stopper - but all of a sudden one of my grandson's pc
> games was split screen (actually, 1/3 of a full screen, a heavy black
> vertical line, and then the remaining 2/3 of the screen). To move
> the cursor to the left 1/3 section, for example, you have to leave
> the window on the right side and 'come around the back'. This
> definitely makes the game more challenging, but I think I'd rather
> fix the problem. My first thought is to remove the 256 kb module and
> put the 1 GB chip into the first slot, but that's just a 'nothing to
> lose' guess. Does this sound more like a driver issue? Would it be
> worth my while to upgrade the video driver and/or go with the
> original mfg. specs of 512 / slot? Any ideas would be sincerely
> appreciated. Thanks.
=============================
Just some thoughts...first I think I would
remove the new RAM module and see
if the display issues go away.

Also...I would try it with just the 1 GB
RAM module.

An updated video driver might be worth
a try also but I'm thinking this is a separate
issue and not related to the new RAM.

--

John Inzer
MS Picture It! MVP

Digital Image
Highlights and FAQs
http://tinyurl.com/aczzp

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

[[email protected]]

Good suggestions John. I'll give them a try tomorrow. Thanks for the reply.

"John Inzer" wrote:

> wrote:
> > Hello. I ordered a 1 GB memory module from Dell for a Dell DM4550
> > 533 Mhz with 256 KB ram. I noted to the on-line agent that the doco
> > seemed to indicate that the max. memory capacity of my model was 512
> > / slot, but he responded that Dell had introduced a 1 GB module
> > compatible with my system, so I ordered and installed the add'l
> > memory. Rather than replace the existing 256 module, I just
> > installed the add-on memory in the 2nd slot, so am now running w/
> > 1.25 GB. Right after I installed the new memory, I noticed a
> > graphics problem. The 'startup' Windows logo was off-center - which
> > isn't a show stopper - but all of a sudden one of my grandson's pc
> > games was split screen (actually, 1/3 of a full screen, a heavy black
> > vertical line, and then the remaining 2/3 of the screen). To move
> > the cursor to the left 1/3 section, for example, you have to leave
> > the window on the right side and 'come around the back'. This
> > definitely makes the game more challenging, but I think I'd rather
> > fix the problem. My first thought is to remove the 256 kb module and
> > put the 1 GB chip into the first slot, but that's just a 'nothing to
> > lose' guess. Does this sound more like a driver issue? Would it be
> > worth my while to upgrade the video driver and/or go with the
> > original mfg. specs of 512 / slot? Any ideas would be sincerely
> > appreciated. Thanks.
> =============================
> Just some thoughts...first I think I would
> remove the new RAM module and see
> if the display issues go away.
>
> Also...I would try it with just the 1 GB
> RAM module.
>
> An updated video driver might be worth
> a try also but I'm thinking this is a separate
> issue and not related to the new RAM.
>
> --
>
> John Inzer
> MS Picture It! MVP
>
> Digital Image
> Highlights and FAQs
> http://tinyurl.com/aczzp
>
> Notice
> This is not tech support
> I am a volunteer
>
> Solutions that work for
> me may not work for you
>
> Proceed at your own risk
>
>
>