I just upgraded my laptop with a 512MB memory module. What do I have to do to have the

[demosincebirth]

system recognize the new upgrade. Have a dell inspiron with windows XP

[pscot]

1. Click the start menu

Right click computer then click properties. It should show up autoomatically.

[demosincebirth]

2. I checked it before and it still not recognizing it.

[Mnpaul]

3. Have you checked memory specs for your laptop?

Some are picky about what they allow. What model do you have? How much memory is in the other slot?

[demosincebirth]

4. 1200 Inspiron, 212mb

[Mnpaul]

6. Ok here is what Crucial states

Memory Type: DDR PC2700, DDR (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 1.25GB
Slots: 1
http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/Dell-memory/Inspiron+Laptops%2FNotebooks/Inspiron+1200-upgrades.html

I see it has 256mb non removable and one open slot. Are you sure the memory if fully seated and the correct type? Try releasing it and pushing it in at a 45 degree angle and then snap it down into the clips. It appears you are not the only one to have this problem
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/255003-30-dell-inspiron-1200-memory-install-help

[RoccoR5955]

5. If it's not recognized...

It's not installed properly.
A quite good description on how to install RAM properly in your laptop is here:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-install-ram-in-your-laptop.html

Also, make sure that it is the correct RAM for the specific laptop. Crucial.com, makers of Micron memory has a memory advisor, right on their home page at http://www.crucial.com . Pick the make and model of computer, and it will show you. There's even a video on installation there. They will tell you the maximum that you can have, and their prices aren't bad either. I have been using them for decades, and haven't gotten a bad memory module from them yet. Literally hundreds of different computers over the years, and they always have the RAM for a decent price. (Sorry to sound like a commercial, but as a computer professional, I cannot think of another company who has made it easier for you to upgrade your RAM.)

[Aerows]

7. I'm going with not seated correctly

crack it back open and reseat it.

[Dash87]

8. +1

[demosincebirth]

9. I done that a couple of times and the last time it snapped in there really good. Booted it up

and on the initial setup screen it showed 800 plus MB's. I said "great" then I right clicked on My Computer/properties and it only showed 212MBs. I'm beginning to think that I'm not doing something right on the initial setup, just after I insert the module and boot it up. I'll work with it some more. Any more suggestions greatly appreciated.

[Aerows]

10. Could be faulty

that usually results in a failure to POST, but here is a thought.

Have you checked your BIOS revision level? i.e. go to Dell and get the latest BIOS. Some motherboards can't recognize certain amounts of RAM until later revisions. You probably have single-sided RAM (chips all on one side) and some motherboards get flaky with that until you upgrade the BIOS.

Observe the RAM module, are the chips all on one side as opposed to both? You probably need to upgrade the BIOS. Dell should have instructions on how to do this.

[Mnpaul]

11. You can go into the bios

and unselect the the fast boot option do that it does a full memory test. I'm not sure it has it but you can take a look.