if you do not have belarc advisor then go get it, it is free, it will scan your entire pc and tell you exactly what is currently on the pc and what it can take, that way you know the exact type that is in the pc and know what works, it is the best method to use to determine what you currently have in the pc.

Belarc - System Management For The Internet Age

According to the documentation for your computer the maximum memory it can support is 512M. See the link below. HTH.

Terry

Here is a link that might be useful: Dell 4300S Technical Specifications

Thanks for the replies. The manufacturer specs above were from a website that scans the computer to see what kind of RAM is installed and what kind is recommended. It shows that the maximum memory it can support is 1GB. If the maximum is 512MB-can I just use 1 stick of the RAM purchased or do I have to purchase 2 sticks of 256MB? Thanks again for the help.

Yes, you should be able to just install one 512M stick. If the website that scanned was a site to purchase memory, you should notify them and possibly get a refund on the other memory stick. HTH.

Terry

that is why you should use the belarc tool it tells you exactly what is ON your pc and what YOUR actual pc takes, it is the best to go by.

some you do have to use matched pairs.

are you sure the ram you got is non Ecc

the problem with trying to look up dell specs is that they allow configuration changes so just because it is that model if configuration was selected differently it may not apply.

Belarc reads exactly what is on the system and gives you a full actual system report excellent to have on hand for many reasons.

that must be a fairly old system.

don na na,

Are you getting this memory failure message through the blue screen____?

Try removing the new Ram and replacing the old Ram to verify your system was not damaged. Static discharge can do wonders on a computer.

If your computer boots normally with the original ram module try reinserting one of the new modules and try booting. If that doesn't work replace it with the other module.

Either or both of the modules may be bad or just incompatible.

You can use the 'crucial' scanner to see exactly what your system needs or enter the info in the 'advisor tool': Crucial memory experts.

Witz

The computer boots normally with the original ram module. When I put in either of the new modules-I get the error message through the blue screen. The specs above are from the 'crucial' scanner, but I bought the RAM elsewhere online. The Dell 4300S is an older system--bought in 2005. I have a new laptop, but wanted to upgrade the memory in the desktop-because I want to keep it as a backup. It still works great-just slow. I like to keep 2 systems because you never know when you might have a problem with one and need to research or download with the other to fix it.

ravencajun Thanks for the link to Belarc. I ran the Belarc software- but it seems like the RAM I purchased should be compatible. Of course, I could have missed something.
(are you sure the ram you got is non Ecc?) No I'm not sure-could you explain this? This may be the problem.
And THANKS AGAIN to all of you for your help.

Here is the wikipedia entry on ECC RAM.

That explains things but is more than you need.

The bottom line is that if your computer needs ECC RAM, non ECC RAM won't work in it. If it needs non ECC RAM, ECC RAM won't work. So it's vital that you buy the right kind.

I recently added memory to my Dell Dimension. At the recommendation of many experts on a number of message boards, I purchased the memory from Crucial, and have been pleased with how my PC is now running. Below are the search results for Crucial's memory recommendations for your PC.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Dimension%204300S%20Series