killed my Dell 2350

[Limmo]

I have a Dell Dimension 2350 that has served me well for several years.  Being a fool, I decided to upgrade the memory myself.  I bought the appropriate memory card and installed it.  The computer would not turn on.  I removed the new card and while now the fan will turn on, the hard drive is silent and the monitor gets no signal.

What do I do now?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[drmsucks]

I have a Dell Dimension 2350 that has served me well for several years.  Being a fool, I decided to upgrade the memory myself. 

Certainly doesn't sound foolish to me! Paying someone $50 - $100 to install memory - now THAT'S foolish!

Try re-installing the original RAM into the original slot. Be sure that the RAM is seated properly - takes some pressure and the white clips will 'snap' into place when properly seated.

[drmsucks]

Looks like your system takes: DDR memory, up to 2 modules, 512 MB each (no larger), max RAM capacity of 1 GB (2 x 512 MB modules). Speed of 266 MHZ or PC2100. You can buy faster RAM, but the RAM will only run at 266 MHZ.

Is this the RAM that you bought?

[Limmo]

The original 512K DDR chip was never removed.  I added an extra 512K chip.  Once I put it in ( and I don't think it was seated properly the first time, so I turned the computer off and made sure ), the computer failed to work.  The lights on some chips inside the unit were on, but nothing else.  I removed the new chip, and that got a little more out of the computer, but it's still badly screwed.  

[Limmo]

The new chip is a Patriot Memory chip - 512 MB, PC2100, 266MHz CL2.5

[DeathV]

The possibility is that one of the Memory cards are broken. Happened to me before. I had to return back and get the new memory.
I don't exactly remember what happened kuz it was like 6 months ago but I believe when I put the broken RAM into the mother board my computer was turning on but the monitor wasn't. I got 2 chips basically 2 gigs of RAM so one chip was broken and when I removed the broken one the computer ran just fine... It could be the chip.

Edit:
But better advice is to get a new computer so that this new memory would fit in the new computer.
Good luck

[drmsucks]

@Limmo - Sounds as if you replaced the memory with the unit plugged in - never replace components without unplugging the system from the outlet.

Remove the new memory (unplug the system and ground yourself!) and see if you're back to 'normal.' Hopefully, there is no motherboard damage.

The memory that you purchased sounds right for your system. However, it is not unusual for 'old' memory and 'new' memory not to play nicely with each other. Even though the specs are the same, there are internal differences in the modules that can prevent a 'fussy' motherboard from working properly. It's also possible, of course, that your new memory is defective.

Post back the results of booting with just your old module installed, then, we can discuss next steps.

[Limmo]

I already did that.  No good.  Did I ruin the motherboard?

[drmsucks]

I already did that.  No good.  Did I ruin the motherboard?

Perhaps.

Look very carefully inside your system for anything that you may have inadvertently knocked loose. Re-check ALL connections - power, data, to motherboard, ALL. Is the CPU mounted securely?

Let's remove the old RAM and replace it with the new RAM and try to boot - just one module. If no boot, try the old RAM in the vacant slot. If no boot, try the old RAM in the original slot again.

Download memtest86, burn to CD and attempt to boot from memtest CD. If you can boot, test one RAM module at a time for at least 2 hours; any error means that the memory (or slot) is defective. If one module passes, try the next; if it passes, try both together, but increase min time to 4 hours.

EDIT: Sorry, get memtest86 here: http://www.memtest.org/

[Limmo]

Alright, I'll run through those procedures tomorrow.  Thanks very much for the advice; I'll update late morning PST. 

And here's the update: I'm an idiot.  I was putting the chips in...BACKWARDS. 

Once I realized the nature of the mistake, I got the computer fired back up.  Then unplugged it and installed the new RAM.  Everything is fine.

Thank you for helping out someone who is differently abled.   I wish you well.