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37327
February 25th, 2010 18:00
Dell Hybrid 140g Memory Issue and POST BEEPs - possible BIOS bug?
Hello everyone!
I just bought a Dell Hybrid 140g and I'm facing some problems.
1. During post, five beeps can be heard. I'm used to BIOS beep codes, but I never heard nothing like this. Documentation is faulty and there is no information regarding beep codes on it.
2. This system came with 4GB of ram. BIOS detect all as installed memory, but reports 3.320MB as usable. I thought those 700MB that are missing were used as video memory, but Windows 7 (x32) reports 358MB reserved to Video Memory. BIOS version is 1.1.0
I would like to receive some comments from other users of studio Hybrid. How many beeps can be heard at boot up and how much memory are allocated as usable memory.
Thank you very much in advance.
mpo
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399 Posts
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February 25th, 2010 18:00
1. Sorry, can't help you with the beeps.
2. The amount of usable RAM (3.32 GB) is in the ballpark of what 32-bit Windows OS will see with 4 GB installed. The OS has to reserve memory addresses for video as well as PCI, PCI-e, and other system resources.
marceloyamane
3 Posts
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February 25th, 2010 19:00
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your assistance. I'm aware of memory limitation of a 32bit system. But according to this document
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778%28VS.85%29.aspx
Win 7 should be able to use up to 4GB ram.
However, I can't understand why my bios is reporting only 3.32GB as usable RAM. Dell Diagnostic System has identified two blocks of memory (3.3 + 0.8GB), tested both and everything is working fine.
regards,
hrsmithj
1 Message
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March 25th, 2010 01:00
1. Memory limits are indeed limits of 32-bit systems regardless of flavor.
2. Beeps another matter.I was on the phone for over a month with Dell "technicians" over a similar beep phenomenon with an XPS20. Perhaps like you, I was familiar with POST beeps and their possible meanings. But, like you, I didn't recognize these. At every step of my dealings with tech sup, I was told that the beeps were not normal. First I was sent out a new motherboard. Beeps remained. I had to return the unit for study. After another several weeks of investigation, I was offered a complete replacement unit and an upgrade from the XPS20 to the XPS24. No explanation was forthcoming. And. Guess what. Beeps remained.
3. By trial and error, I think I have discovered that the beeps vary depending upon how many and what kind of USB/Bluetooth devices are connected. If I use a keyboard/mouse, I get one set. If I add an external DVD or hard drive, I get another.
4. Bottom line: if you boot to Windows and the system seems to work, learn to live with: new beeps not defined in any readily available documentation; new beeps which confuse every level I was sent to at Dell tech support.
5. Finally, if you do, you're a better person than I. I ended up selling my XPS just to excape them. Then I bought a Studio Hybrid. Guess what?......................................
6. Know this isn't a "technical" level response, but it is from an actual user who shares your concerns and frustrations.