[davosonic60]

Hello to all!

I have an alienware M17 system which I purchased with 2gb of RAM.
I recently bought two 4gb RAM modules and installed them into my laptop following the alienware FAQ instructions, however, whenever I turned my laptop on, it displayed a 'file corrupt headsum does not match...', among other errors. I removed a RAM chip to check one by one if it had any errors. What happened is that when I had only one chip installed, the computer started normally and Windows did detect 4GB RAM.
I checked the other RAM chip and it also worked properly, however, when I put both chips (both are from the same manufacturer and I made sure that they were compatible with my system) it did not work.

I read somewhere that this issue was corrected by updating the BIOS on the M17 systems.

From http://www.notebookforums.com
"I spoke with Adrian at Alienware customer support and he said that the primary reason for this Bios update was to provide support for 8Gigs of memory in a 64 bit environment on the M17. Additionally, Adrian said this Bios should also improve overall system stability and correct any stuttering issues that some M17 owners with the Quad core may have experienced."

However, I just noticed that in my laptop's System Information, it says BIOS version/date: INTEL W841.B14, 04/03/2009, which is the latest BIOS update available, so I think I should be able to install both 4GB modules without any problems.

What do you think?

I do that hope you can help me resolve my issue here. I need to do it before 15 days or the store wont accept my RAM chipsets back in case I need to change them; which honestly, I think I dont. Just in case Im adding here the details of the RAM I purchased.

"Crucial DDR3 4GB PC8
DDR3 4GB PC8500 SO-DIMM
Single module 1066MHz
Notebook Memory
CM3X4GSDD1066"

Thanks for taking the time to read about my issue and I hope we can find a solution for this.

Regards,
David

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Where did you get the "CM3X4GSDD1066"? Neither Crucial nor Cosair list it, (via their 'Search'). Amazon.com and Provantage.com both say it is "Corsair" however.

Crucial's site says you need either CT1017142 (DDR3-1333) or CT978848 (DDR3-1066) for your Alienware M17x Laptop/Notebook:
http://www.crucial.c...aspx?model=M17x

[SpywareDr]

Where did you get the "CM3X4GSDD1066"? Neither Crucial nor Cosair list it, (via their 'Search'). Amazon.com and Provantage.com both say it is "Corsair" however.

Crucial's site says you need either CT1017142 (DDR3-1333) or CT978848 (DDR3-1066) for your Alienware M17x Laptop/Notebook:
http://www.crucial.c...aspx?model=M17x

[davosonic60]

Hello again

I got both chips at Fry's. I dont know why they dont list it, though I havent checked. However, my system is M17 not M17x, the M17x is the new model, here is the link from crucial that says what I need.

http://www.crucial.c....aspx?model=m17

Here I paste the first memory that it says is compatible. I dont see any differences here with the chips I have =/.

4GB, 204-pin SODIMM, DDR3 PC3-8500 memory module
CT977916
Module Size: 4GB
Package: 204-pin SODIMM
Feature: DDR3 PC3-8500
Specs: DDR3 PC3-8500 • CL=7 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1066 • 1.5V • 512Meg x 64 •

These are the specs I showed to the Fry's salesman that assisted me while buying them:

Memory Type/Tipo de Memoria: DDR3 (PC3-8500F)
Speed/Velocidad: DDR3 1066
Type/Tipo: 204-pin SODIMM

NON-ECC/NON-parity
Unbuffered

Got any ideas?

[SpywareDr]

Sorry about that. Here are the two "Kits" recommended by Crucial for the Alienware M17 (no "x"):

• CT1017141 - 8GB Kit (4GBx2), 204-pin SODIMM, DDR3 PC3-10600 memory module
  Specs: CL=9 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1333 • 1.5V • 512Meg x 64
  
  
• CT977915 - 8GB Kit (4GBx2), 204-pin SODIMM, DDR3 PC3-8500 memory module
  Specs: CL=7 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1066 • 1.5V • 512Meg x 64

Have you tried their "Crucial Memory Advisor tool"?
http://www.crucial.c...drammemory.aspx

They guarantee that the upgrades you find through their Crucial Memory Advisor tool will be compatible with your system, or your money back.

--

As far as "why" the ones you have won't work, I have no idea. Not enough detailed info to try to figure it out.