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34800
May 24th, 2005 08:00
D600 Memory upgrade problem
Recently we purchased 2 x 333MHz (2700 ddr) SO-Dimms which were 512MB each in size.
When placed into the D600 laptop and turned on the Padlock A light (caps lock) light flashes about 6 times, then the machine turns itself off.
Any combination of single dimms in each slot works, as in each slot is fine, and each memory module works just fine.
The BIOS was updated to the most recent version, A15 to make sure everything was running up to date.
When the memory is placed into a newer D600 the machine powers up just fine with the two memory modules in dual channel mode as they are indentical sticks.
We have also tried putting one of these 512 MB sticks into the machine with the original 256MB module that came supplied with it, still the same result, no POST.
It seems that an earlier revision of the D600 cannot support over 512MB of ram, or refuses to use both Dimm slots on the board. Whatever the reason, the website clearly states that ANY D600 laptop supports up to 2GB of ram, so can anyone shed any light why an older revision might be having these troubles.
Thanks
Surpolfse.
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ejn63
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May 24th, 2005 11:00
The D600 doesn't support dual-channel operation (the newer D610 does, though).
surpolfse
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May 24th, 2005 11:00
The bios revision is the most up to date on both machines, A15.
Perhaps saying "dual channel" operation wasnt quite accurate but its irrelevant to the issue anyway.
Basically what I want to know, from an official dell source or not, is why do the memory modules work perfectly in a newer possible "hardware revision" latitude d600 and not in my older model. The website clearly states the D600, namely *ANY* D600 laptop should take up to 2GB of ram when the one I have infront of me clearly does not.
The laptop intended to take the ram only has a 20GB hdd and a 1.6 GHz processor so it must have been one of the earlier ones released.
Could we keep the main issue here and not argue over symantics.
Thanks!
surpolfse
ejn63
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May 25th, 2005 00:00
Did you buy Dell-spec RAM (Crucial, Kingston KTD, etc.) or generic RAM? Generic RAM may not be the same from module to module.
Have you tested the RAM to make sure it's not defective?
Have you tested the system to rule out a defective memory socket or sockets?
By the way, it's semantics.
surpolfse
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May 25th, 2005 05:00
Apologies my spelling was never the strongest part of my education. :)
I cant help but noticed you've just asked questions that are actually answered in the first post I put on here, did you actually bother to read it? If you dont know the answer to the problem, which I strongly suspect you dont in absence of a proper answer, can you just let someone else reply that might? Instead of just asking me to repeat myself and all, but for your benefit...
The ram is branded IBM, whoever actually supplies the chips for their ram im not sure, its in the laptop at the mo and im not opening it up to check :) The modules are identical and I would think the actual chips on board are going to be samsung or seimens or some other well known company before being assembled by IBM.
The ram has been tested in every possible combination in the older D600 and both pairs have been tested individually and paired up in a newer D600. Both modules function perfectly as do both slots of the older D600 laptop. The "newer" revision of the machine boots up just fine with any combination of the memory, the older machine boots up every single time UNLESS both modules are paired together. Not just the two new modules either, any two modules that equal over 512MB of ram.
So... does anyone have any idea why an older D600 with the most recent BIOS revision cannot handle these two memory modules at once?
The only other option I have is to qualify the board as faulty and let our service contractors replace it for a newer one, because at the moment it does appear just that, faulty.