RAM Speed Issue

ExitiosuS · Mar 23, 2005, 07:10 PM

Ok, so... I know I've made multiple attempts at figuring out how to unlock a Dell OEM Bios, however, every attempt was in vain due to the lack of information and lack of Electronics Engineering skills.

So, once again, I turn to this marvelous community for aid.

I recently checked the receipt, and it showed that my machine was loaded with 512Mb of 333MHz DDR Ram, this, to me, was a good thing, as I thought, and later discovered, that I was running at 266MHz DDR. So, I checked my BIOS and noticed that it listed my RAM as running at 266MHz, this came as a surprise to me, so I quickly opened the bottom of my machine and noticed I had two Infineom(Haven't used their RAM before, so I figured it might be defective in some random way)256Mb DDR 333 Ram (As per labelled on the little white sticker).

Now, confused, I decided to make sure if my chipset does indeed support 333, and that it was clocking it down because it didn't. So, I went to the Intel site and downloaded their Chipset identification tool and discovered I had the Intel(R) 855PM Chipset. So, I looked through the site, found the chipset, and found that it does support both my processor bus speed and my RAM speed being 333.

Being all the more confused as to why the RAM wasn't clocked up to its more than supported speed, I decided to get 1Gb of Corsair 333 memory. This, in its own right, made me quite pleased...as I always wanted to have 1Gb of RAM. (Ever since the 1Gb hard drive came out... It's just a cheap facination.) I received my RAM, installed it with the greatest of care, and then I updated my BIOS.

After running a few games at a pleasing rate, noticing a great deal of a decrease in loading/start up/quit times, I decided to check if this corrected my RAM Speed issue.

I loaded up SiSoft Sandra, benched it, found that it was running at 266MHz. Now, I feel ripped.

So I went to the BIOS, and it too, reported that I was running at 266MHz.

How can I make my computer run my RAM at 333MHz, when it's advertised as supporting the speed, and I use RAM more than capable of handling this speed?

If anyone can help me with this issue, I would be more than thankful!

Thanks for reading,
~Exit

Nuke209 · Mar 24, 2005, 09:09 AM

can't u change to 333mhz in bios?
if you can't, try removing old ram and booting new ram

Samir · Mar 24, 2005, 12:58 PM

Well, this is very old notebook BIOS problem... Do you actually HAVE any RAM tweaking settings in BIOS? Probbably not! Most notebook makers simply DO NOT INCLUDE this in their BIOSes to avoid users messing with upgrading and/or overclocking...
My Fujitsu Siemens AMILO D doesn't have ANY RAM settings in BIOS, it keeps RAM locked at 166MHz 2.5-3-3-7 no matter that i have faster modules...

If anybody knows if it's possible to tweak RAM settings without using BIOS, please reply...

ExitiosuS · Mar 24, 2005, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuke209

can't u change to 333mhz in bios?
if you can't, try removing old ram and booting new ram

Unfortunately, as was stated in my post, the BIOS appears to be locked down, and I can't just change it; otherwise, I would've.

And... I've already tried using the new sticks of RAM, also, as was stated. In fact, I'm using them.

If anyone else has any ideas how to adjust a setting like this... it'd be greatly appreciated.

ExitiosuS · Mar 24, 2005, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samir

Well, this is very old notebook BIOS problem... Do you actually HAVE any RAM tweaking settings in BIOS? Probbably not! Most notebook makers simply DO NOT INCLUDE this in their BIOSes to avoid users messing with upgrading and/or overclocking...
My Fujitsu Siemens AMILO D doesn't have ANY RAM settings in BIOS, it keeps RAM locked at 166MHz 2.5-3-3-7 no matter that i have faster modules...

If anybody knows if it's possible to tweak RAM settings without using BIOS, please reply...

I'm aware of the precautions and the lock-down on OEM BIOS', however, there simply has to be a way to get around it. I refuse to believe that they have a hardcoded BIOS, otherwise, if I were to get a processor upgrade from DELL, it wouldn't clock the stepping speed up the way it should do with RAM. Or, have a seperate BIOS chip for every single processor/RAM combo that they have? I doubt it. That seems extremely far-fetched, not only far-fetched, but a waste of money and time for a system builder to have to make sure they don't put the wrong BIOS chip in, or they'll fry their motherboard. lol

So ya, I'd like to find out if there's a way to work around this issue.

I mean, if they GAVE me 333MHz RAM, why doesn't it work at 333?! Clearly it supports it, according to both Intel AND Dell.

Samir · Mar 24, 2005, 05:52 PM

Bah, have you tried asking them why it doesn't work @ 333MHz?

ExitiosuS · Mar 24, 2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samir

Bah, have you tried asking them why it doesn't work @ 333MHz?

Yes, lol... They gave me the run-around, suggesting that because I purchased RAM not DELL certified/through them, that it's not their problem and that it's the RAM Manufacturer's fault.

So, when I asked about the RAM which came with the machine, ... they told me that because I upgraded my RAM without their guidance, I voided my RAM's warranty. LOL

Don't ask, don't tell. So retarded.

But I got one straight answer:
"If you purchase some more 333MHz RAM from us, we can make sure it works." :/

The_Neon_Cowboy · Mar 24, 2005, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExitiosuS

Yes, lol... They gave me the run-around, suggesting that because I purchased RAM not DELL certified/through them, that it's not their problem and that it's the RAM Manufacturer's fault.

So, when I asked about the RAM which came with the machine, ... they told me that because I upgraded my RAM without their guidance, I voided my RAM's warranty. LOL

Don't ask, don't tell. So retarded.

But I got one straight answer:
"If you purchase some more 333MHz RAM from us, we can make sure it works." :/

BTW: you'll pay extra $$$ for it too...
That just one of hundreds of good resons dell and others suck

to bad you can't build custom laptops

The bios is customized, you won't be able to modifiy it even if you could. You have to find the exact same board with the MFG's bios. For example only on desktopsthey take like a asus board, customize and modify the bios. Thier bios updates are packed encrpyted in a self flasher so its literally impossable to get to the bios file. So your pretty SOL

ExitiosuS · Mar 25, 2005, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Neon_Cowboy

BTW: you'll pay extra $$$ for it too...
That just one of hundreds of good resons dell and others suck

to bad you can't build custom laptops

The bios is customized, you won't be able to modifiy it even if you could. You have to find the exact same board with the MFG's bios. For example only on desktopsthey take like a asus board, customize and modify the bios. Thier bios updates are packed encrpyted in a self flasher so its literally impossable to get to the bios file. So your pretty SOL

Good to know!

Thanks a lot, Neon. You're always a good source for information.

I didn't know that... about the self-encryption. What a shame, I would've loved to of had some freedom.

Oh well. I suppose I won't notice a difference. It was just the principle. lol

Mar 23, 2005, 07:10 PM	#1
ExitiosuS Simian Masterpiece! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ont. Canada Posts: 358 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	RAM Speed Issue Ok, so... I know I've made multiple attempts at figuring out how to unlock a Dell OEM Bios, however, every attempt was in vain due to the lack of information and lack of Electronics Engineering skills. So, once again, I turn to this marvelous community for aid. I recently checked the receipt, and it showed that my machine was loaded with 512Mb of 333MHz DDR Ram, this, to me, was a good thing, as I thought, and later discovered, that I was running at 266MHz DDR. So, I checked my BIOS and noticed that it listed my RAM as running at 266MHz, this came as a surprise to me, so I quickly opened the bottom of my machine and noticed I had two Infineom(Haven't used their RAM before, so I figured it might be defective in some random way)256Mb DDR 333 Ram (As per labelled on the little white sticker). Now, confused, I decided to make sure if my chipset does indeed support 333, and that it was clocking it down because it didn't. So, I went to the Intel site and downloaded their Chipset identification tool and discovered I had the Intel(R) 855PM Chipset. So, I looked through the site, found the chipset, and found that it does support both my processor bus speed and my RAM speed being 333. Being all the more confused as to why the RAM wasn't clocked up to its more than supported speed, I decided to get 1Gb of Corsair 333 memory. This, in its own right, made me quite pleased...as I always wanted to have 1Gb of RAM. (Ever since the 1Gb hard drive came out... It's just a cheap facination.) I received my RAM, installed it with the greatest of care, and then I updated my BIOS. After running a few games at a pleasing rate, noticing a great deal of a decrease in loading/start up/quit times, I decided to check if this corrected my RAM Speed issue. I loaded up SiSoft Sandra, benched it, found that it was running at 266MHz. Now, I feel ripped. So I went to the BIOS, and it too, reported that I was running at 266MHz. How can I make my computer run my RAM at 333MHz, when it's advertised as supporting the speed, and I use RAM more than capable of handling this speed? If anyone can help me with this issue, I would be more than thankful! Thanks for reading, ~Exit

Mar 24, 2005, 09:09 AM	#2
Nuke209 DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. Paul Posts: 568 Rep Power: 0	can't u change to 333mhz in bios? if you can't, try removing old ram and booting new ram __________________ 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX

Mar 24, 2005, 12:58 PM	#3
Samir kX Lover Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 520 Rep Power: 0	Well, this is very old notebook BIOS problem... Do you actually HAVE any RAM tweaking settings in BIOS? Probbably not! Most notebook makers simply DO NOT INCLUDE this in their BIOSes to avoid users messing with upgrading and/or overclocking... My Fujitsu Siemens AMILO D doesn't have ANY RAM settings in BIOS, it keeps RAM locked at 166MHz 2.5-3-3-7 no matter that i have faster modules... If anybody knows if it's possible to tweak RAM settings without using BIOS, please reply... __________________ MU3NKA 3A HAPO6!

Mar 24, 2005, 05:52 PM	#6
Samir kX Lover Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 520 Rep Power: 0	Bah, have you tried asking them why it doesn't work @ 333MHz? __________________ MU3NKA 3A HAPO6!