Question : Problem: Possible defective RAM slot on Dell laptop

Hey folks I've got a peculiar problem on my Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop. Here are the specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB RAM  (2 x 1 GB modules)

About 2 days I was working on my laptop and all of a sudden everything slowed down to a snail's pace. I checked my task manager and everything looked good there. Stumped I kept on working but finally everything was so slow I decided to restart. Restart didn't solve anything. I should add that everything is slow and lagging, all WIndows tasks, Firefox, IE7, Thunderbird etc. Clicking on a minimized window or program might require 5-10 seconds before anything happens or the program is restored.

Long story short, after testing several other things, I thought I might have a bad stick of RAM. Both modules passed a basic onboard RAM test so decided to physically remove one stick at a time. I removed the first stick, rebooted and the computer was back up and running like normal. I decided to test further just to be sure. I shutdown and moved the "good" stick to the other slot, rebooted and the pc is slow again. Hmm, now thinking it is a bad slot. I try the other stick by itself in the "good" slot and everything is normal. I then try it in the "bad" slot and everything is normal???? I put both sticks back in and it's slow again. Now I'm back to one stick in the "bad" slot and everything is great. Confused? Me too.lol

I've tested this about every way I know how. I've got some sort of a RAM related problem and I'm 99% sure it has to be a slot problem rather than a RAM module problem. Both sticks have worked fine by themselves and both sticks have been installed by themselves during the problematic times.

Again, I know this is confusing. The laptop is under warranty but getting Dell to even begin to understand any of this is out of the question. From my experience, no matter what, if everything checks out on their onboard diagnostic utility they won't do any warranty work. If I can get down to what I'm positive is the problem I'll give them a call and see what I can get resolved.

Any suggestions on what to try next?

Answer : Problem: Possible defective RAM slot on Dell laptop

>> I've tested this about every way I know how...

Does that include Clearing the BIOS and setting it to Default?
Checking for a BIOS update?

I would still give Dell a call. You might get lucky and get one of the 'good techs'.  ; )