When is LED 2 4 code false or misleading?

Question

i7375 black screened and shut down.

When attempting reboot, there was power but no Post, with 2 4 error code indicating RAM failure.

Opened up laptop and reseated/swapped/isolated Dimms to No effect (except when removing both Dimms resulted in 2 3 error code, ofc).

Bought new Dimms (Identical). Same 2 4 error code!! What??

Found similar laptop and tested new Dimms - no problem.

Tested old Dimms in that similar laptop - tested FINE!! What??

Does anybody know what situations lead to a misdiagnosis of RAM failure?

Do you think the mobo is so messed up that it would give a misdiagnosis like this?

Finally, other than buying a new mobo (~$200), are there any other steps I should use to troubleshoot? (Drained power, ckd Cmos, replaced battery all with NO effect)

ejn63 · Answer

Memory errors involving more than one module are almost always indicative of a bad system board -- the chances of two modules failing simultaneously are very low.

There is no other option at this point than to replace the system board.

Inspiron

When is LED 2 4 code false or misleading?

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