1 Rookie
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9 Posts
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5878
February 25th, 2022 15:00
Inspiron 3891, ram upgrade problem
Recently purchased Inspiron 3891. I wanted to upgrade the ram. I know its currently 8GB & 4GB DDR4 3200 for total 12GB of ram.
I purchase 16x2GB DDR 2666 ram, when installing the new ram, I cannot get the pc to boot even to bios.
I can get PC to boot using 8GB and 16GB stick together but any combination using just 16GB stick (ie 1x16 or 2x16) will not work whatsoever. I have the 16gb in slot 1 and 8gb(it came with) slot 2 and it is able to boot.
Any suggestions? Normally I would install new RAM and clear CMOS but there isn't a cmos reset on this mobo.
Any help would be grateful. thank you!
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DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
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56.9K Posts
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June 15th, 2022 10:00
Open the online Inspiron 3891 Setup and Specifications PDF to page 15 =
Here are the tested/validated OEM Inspiron 3891 memory sticks that will automatically downclock to either 2933MHz or 2666MHz =
36FTX 4GB, 3200MHz, 512x64, Unbuffered, DDR4, 288 pin, Single Rank, 1.2V, Non-ECC
9CXF2 8GB, 3200MHz, 1Gx64, Unbuffered, DDR4, 288 pin, Single Rank, 1.2V, Non-ECC
DK8NX 16GB, 3200MHz, 1Gx64, Unbuffered, DDR4, 288 pin, Single Rank, 1.2V, Non-ECC
732YD 32GB, 3200MHz, 2Rx8, Unbuffered, DDR4, 288 pin, Dual Rank, 1.2V, Non-ECC
Saikai
1 Rookie
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9 Posts
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February 25th, 2022 16:00
Apologies for that.
I purchased Corsair Vengeance LPX. If I must return this for crucial, i'll do that.
CMK32GX4M2A666C16
Also, thank you so much for the prompt response. I also did attempt to take the battery out but maybe I did not leave it out long enough.
JOcean
9 Legend
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12.6K Posts
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February 25th, 2022 16:00
Actually you can clear the CMOS by pulling the CMOS battery and leave it out for 15 minutes. The procedure is here in the service manual. Now as for the RAM, the absolute most compatible RAM is from Crucial. You did not specify the brand you purchased but it is possible that the RAM is not totally compatible.
Saikai
1 Rookie
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9 Posts
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March 18th, 2022 08:00
I returned the corsair and purchased Crucial as per recommendation and am still having the exact same problem.
Crucial Ballistix 3200 DDR4 16gb x2. CL16 BLK16G32C16U4B
Only one stick will work at a time, both work when tried individually but ONLY with the original 8gb (OEM) stick in slot 1 and a 16gb(Crucial) stick in slot 2. If a 16gb stick is in slot one it will not work. It will also work if the 4gb (OEM) stick is in slot one with a 16gb in slot 2. There is no way to have both slot 1 and 2 with 16gb sticks.
Nome13
6 Posts
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March 18th, 2022 17:00
I'm also seeing the exact same issue with this model PC and using Crucial memory (CT2K16G4DFD8266). The 8Gb stick that came with the PC must be in one of the 2 slots in order for the PC to boot. Yet a 2x 16GB configuration is listed as a supported configuration.
When power is applied, the power led starts to blink 2 times (amber) followed by 5 times (white). This is listed in the manual as "invalid memory installed". Yet the PC will boot and recognize either of the 16GB sticks as long as that 8GB stick is installed.
There are multiple posts regarding this issue and they all seemed to imply that it was due to a BIOS upgrade. My computer came with 1.3.1 on it and I just updated it to 1.5 and still had the exact same issue.
Come on Dell, what gives?
jjgrayson
7 Posts
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March 18th, 2022 17:00
I am having this same issue as well. I've read that I should downgrade my bios, but to what version?
Nome13
6 Posts
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March 18th, 2022 20:00
https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron-Desktops/Memory-cant-use-after-bios-update/m-p/8104718/highlight/true#M31542
Saikai
1 Rookie
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9 Posts
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March 21st, 2022 09:00
My Problem is exactly this also and the only help ive gotten thus far is to contact sales and purchase ram directly through them.
Saikai
1 Rookie
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9 Posts
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March 30th, 2022 09:00
Anyone figured out a solution to this?
I keep getting a message from Dell support saying that they can't help me with other companies' products and direct me to their sales team to purchase 1 x 16GB stick for $160...
Nome13
6 Posts
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March 30th, 2022 17:00
They claim to be looking into the issue, but that has been the response that I've been given for the last ~2 weeks now. If/when I get any kind of actual update, I'll be sure to post it.
needing advice on ok
1 Rookie
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13 Posts
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March 30th, 2022 21:00
I am trying to narrow down a memory issue also, but I had to jump in here for a second. When you put the OEM 4g PC4 in one slot and a 16 g DDR4 in the second slot, what does the ram show the computer has? Also look for my DDR4 vs PC4 question
Saikai
1 Rookie
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9 Posts
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March 31st, 2022 08:00
I never tried it with the 4g and a 16g. When using 8g + 16g the computer shows as 24gb.
needing advice on ok
1 Rookie
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13 Posts
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April 5th, 2022 10:00
Mine shows 12 GB, 8+4. that is how it came from Dell.
Saikai
1 Rookie
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9 Posts
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April 6th, 2022 08:00
Yeah, they give no support over the issue whatsoever. They won't even acknowledge it.
jjgrayson
7 Posts
1
April 9th, 2022 20:00
I got the same offer solution as well - "buy our Dell OEM RAM."
It's *only* $292 to get 32GB of dell ram vs. $130 for competing RAM with the exact same specs. That's not a real solution for the average consumer.