Memory upgrade problem

Question

I have a 'hand-me-down' Dell PowerEdge 400SC, which had two 512MB sticks of Patriot memory (p/n PDC1G3200LLK), which Patriot euphemistically calls a '1GB kit.'   I decided to upgrade the memory, and bought two CORSAIR 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Desktop Memory Model VS1GB400C3  memory sticks. When they arrived I removed the two Patriot sticks, and inserted the Corsair ones into the same slots I had removed the Patriot memory from (Channels A&B DIMM1). Turned on the computer; it registered the new memory fine.   Then I figured I could insert the two 512MB Patriot sticks in Channels A&B DIMM0, and end up with 3 GB. No such luck. As soon as I turned the computer on, I got a long beep, and just the black screen.   What am I missing? GaryRR

sugarbear18 · Accepted Answer

Hi GaryRr, Check and make sure the 512 sticks are properly seated in the computer. If it still dosen`t work, it may be that they are not compatable with the new sticks of ram.

DELL-John C · Accepted Answer

Hi there,

What may help if you are able to boot to your operating system is updating the BIOS to A10. To do this, please download the update from the following link: www.dell.com/.../poweredge-400sc

Please make sure that you do not interrupt the BIOS update by switching the system off or removing power as this can damage your system.

Let us know how you get on!

theflash1932 · Answer

Technically, 'desktop' memory (non-ECC) is not supported at all by Dell on a 400SC, although it is supported by the Intel chipset, and since BIOS does play some role here, I would assume that if non-ECC works at all, it was not specifically (or thoroughly) addressed in the BIOS code used by Dell on this machine, so working configurations will be hit/miss.  Don't be surprised if any combination of non-ECC RAM doesn't work.  There is no mention of any memory-related updates in the BIOS release notes from A02-A10. www.dell.com/.../400sc_specs.pdf support.dell.com/.../m0009c60.htm

GaryRR · Answer

Thank you, John & Teddi--I updated the BIOS per John's suggestion (I was on A02!), but that still didn't fix the Patriot memory problem, so I'm assuming Teddi's answer holds, and will order two more sticks of the Corsair memory to fill out the RAM.

Thanks again, to you both, for the quick responses!

GaryRR

sugarbear18 · Answer

Gary,

Before you order the other two sticks, go to www.crucial.com and let it scan your system to make sure the other 2 slots are active slots. I have seen pc`s that had 4 slots, but only two active. The free crucial scan will tell you exactly how many active slots you have. Crucial also has good prices on ram.

theflash1932 · Answer

Also note that ECC memory is all that is listed for the 400SC on Crucial.com - that is all they will guarantee will work.

GaryRR · Answer

Thanks. That was a good tip. And the Crucial software did confirm that I have 4 active slots.

DELL-Roshan L · Answer

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