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OptiPlex 320 Memory/Boot
I read a thread from 3 years ago that has since closed, but there was no answer. I’m posting the exact same problem.
My Optiplex 320 MiniTower that we bought new when it came out all of a sudden won’t boot. The 1 light blinks once, then 3 and 4 come on steady. I reseated memory modules. No luck. Went to MicroCenter and bought new RAM. It was DDR2 SDRAM for 667MHz and below. Installed. Same problem except received beep code 1-3-2 plus lights 3 and 4. Took it back and bought DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz after reading this on Dell website and STILL have problem. Tech there told me to unplug, remove battery, install new RAM, replace battery, plug in and restart. Same lights. 3 and 4 on steadily. Fan starts up then stops once lights come on. These are two 1GB modules – exactly what we already had in there.
NOTE: I am NOT upgrading - just replacing two 1GB units because I received codes, but Dell has different memory specs depending where you look. None of the 4GB upgrade info applies to me.
So - Dell info below contradicts itself. Also, someone on the Community Board said the 320 does not like anything about PC2-5300. WHICH IS THE CORRECT MEMORY? And does the battery removal info above make a difference? It’s not in the computer’s manual, but I tried it anyway. If I buy lower memory again and it still doesn’t work, what else could it be? I’ve received no other messages other than the memory beep code and 3-4 lights. Thank you.
From Dell’s own spec sheet :
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/corporate/press/cwd_opti320a.pdf
2 DIMM slots, Non-ECC single channel shared
2 DDR2 SDRAM
(533MHz) up to 2GB system memory
| From Dell Certified Memory Selector: Technology: DDR2 SDRAM Memory Speed: 800 MHz ( PC2-6400 ) Data Integrity Check: Non-ECC |
From Dell/Support/Optiplex 320/Parts & Upgrades:
| Type |
DRAM |
| Technology |
DDR2 SDRAM |
| Form Factor |
DIMM 240-pin |
| Memory Speed |
800 MHz ( PC2-6400 ) |
| Data Integrity Check |
Non-ECC |
| RAM Features |
Unbuffered |
| Module Configuration |
128 x 64 |
Thank you. - Kat
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
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47K Posts
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November 25th, 2013 08:00
While we are on the memory subject the Optiplex 620 BIOS A11 will post with 8 gigs of ram but will only show 3.5 gigs available no matter how much ram is used and is not dependent on 64 bit processor or OS.
:emotion-3:
DELL-Sandeep P
1.5K Posts
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November 26th, 2013 09:00
Hi SPEEDSTEP,
Please let us know how many systems have you tried to check the memory. Also, kind post the screenshot of the memory indicating in BIOS and Windows so we can check the same.
Also, send me the service tag of your systems in a private message so we can escalate it accordingly if required. If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us.
1olddragon
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May 18th, 2014 12:00
RRDell
1 Message
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October 6th, 2014 11:00
This is the most informative post. You are really someone who wants to help. Thank you kind Sir. I signed up with dell community just to tell you this :)
speedstep
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October 6th, 2014 21:00
The 3.5 gig memory "issue" with GX320 GX520 or GX620 is well known. Tested on 1,345 different systems. The GX320 and GX520 will recognize 2 gig dimms. HOWEVER the GX320 WILL NOT POST if you put 2 of the 2 gig dimms in. 3.0 Gigs is max for a GX320. GX520 will take 4 gigs aka 2 dimms of 2 gig each but will only show 3.50 gigs. The EXACT SAME RAM AND PROCESSOR will work in a DELL PRECISION 380 or XPS400 and show and use 8 gigs. There is no escalation the ram limitation is based on the CHIPSET revision of the motherboard.
The new x64 requirement is 8.1 and Windows 10 needs the processor to support CMPXCHG16b, PrefetchW, and LAHF/SAHF.
Coreinfo will tell you.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/cc835722.aspx
Users have the option of obtaining a 32-bit version of Windows 8 and updating to 32 bit windows 8.1 with BIOS A11 and Pentium D 9XX series up to 960 this can be overcome but again the ram is 3.5 gigs.
I Can Now Confirm that this is working on a GX620 Tower.
Bios Updated to A11, 4 Gigs of Ram installed still Registers 3.50
Pentium D 820 was Replaced with Pentium D 915. DELL HH807 Motherboard Bios A11. Copper Heatsink 305W Tower.
I added a Radeon 6670 Video card. All drivers are native to windows clean install. I added directshow legacy feature and installed directx june 2010. After windows updates everything works as expected.
Most of the hardware uses Native Windows 7 Drivers with the exception of the Audio Codec.
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/solutions/en/winvista_faqs_rel?c=us&l=en&cs=prem#faq06
To run the premium versions of Windows Vista, including the Windows AeroTM user interface, PC's should be configured with at least 1GB system RAM and 128 MB graphics memory.
To help further optimize the Windows Vista experience Dell recommends 2 GB dual-channel (2-DIMMs) system RAM, a Dual-Core processor, a 7200 rpm Hard Drive and at least a 256 MB discrete graphics card.
Release Date: 1/24/2007
Version: A255.12.01.7010
Importance: Recommended
Download Type: Driver
File Format: Hard-Drive
File Size: 3MB
R145551.EXE 32 BIT
R145149.EXE 64 BIT
Compatibility
Systems
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Home.aspx
Click on this link to go to the Microsoft Update Catalog Website.
In the search box, type Analog Devices.
DirectX June 2010 is also Highly Recommended.
Download DirectX Redist (June 2010) from Official Microsoft ...
Download file, Extract to a folder, RUN DXSETUP.EXE as Administrator.
The Analog Devices AD198X codec does have WHQL drivers from the Microsoft Catalog.
microsoft catalog Analog Devices 5.12.1.7010 32 BIT
catalog.update.microsoft.com/.../ScopedViewRedirect.aspx
microsoft catalog Analog Devices 5.12.2.7010 64 BIT
catalog.update.microsoft.com/.../ScopedViewRedirect.aspx
Supported Update IDs
I have seen inexpensive Pentium D's on Ebay and Amazon
SL9QQ seems to be the max for a 5150