Did you like the "blank" previous message....IE6.0 hosed out as I typed the first word and somehow sent the message on.....been dealing with this mother for 2 weeks now and still don't have an answer.....strange problem.....read on...back to 256mem and I'm stable again.....
60 day old 4600 2.6HT 800FSB with 2x256 Samsung memory (in the right slots).....loaded a ton of software from the start and it's been unstable since the beginning....so been on a wild hunt for the problems with driver changes/updates/etc..., eventual reinstall of WinXP Pro to new SATA hard drive, BIOS updates and NOW, it appears to be a memory problem.....lots of Dell support....just no answers that fix it yet....
Unstable machine, lots of BSOD's showing 50 and 08A errors which indicate various drivers and corrupted memory......and control panel showing missing/corrupted drivers for the modem or processor or CDrom.......and finally find what appears to be a common error.....
Remove one stick of memory, back to 256 in single channel mode and the all the problems go away.....immediate reboot and the previously missing drivers are now cured and well....and system is stable...for days at a time......
Dell shipped one new stick of memory....put it in slot 1....and orig memory in slot 3....and back to unstable.....move various sticks around, always using 1 and 3 to match.....and unstable......take out a stick and back to 256....stable.......
Really really confusing....Dell still thinks its software related....but I don't....I think it doesn't like dual channel.......two orig sticks were Samsung.....and replacement memory stick....can't tell maker.....
Starting to want to put 1 512 in Slot 1 and be done in single channel mode but hey, the machine's only 60 days old......and dual channel would be a big help with my processing....lots of concurrent memory programs....
Has *anyone* experienced anything like this .... I can't find anything on the board....and everyone is upgrading memory with no problems once they get them in the right slots.......
I don't have a solution, just some assurance that the 4600 is a good machine. I have 2 sticks of 512MB and no problems whatsoever.
Stay on top of Dell about this- you might want to start barking for them to replace the computer. I don't know much, but is sounds like a bad motherboard to me.
I've been running about 3 hours now with *all* three sticks of memory in the machine and not even a hint of problems or a crash.....
The agreement was for me to update them on Monday --- believe our next step will be "two" new matched sticks of memory....and I'll return the three in my possession.....and if that doesn't cut it.....then will push for a motherboard replacement.....have the NBD warranty and I'm out of "detective" time....
I am in about week two of the type of problems you mentioned. System freezes, BSOD's and lots of powering down reboot. Dell has been ineffective up to this point. So far I have stayed out of the box but the idea of having problems with the memory sticks makes alot of sense to me.
To the point, what are the correct slots when I have 2 X 256 memory sticks. It looks as though you said slots 1 and 3.
I am curious if your problem is fixed and how you resolved it, i.e...what was the final solution, assuming it is fixed?
Thanks,
Dimension 4600 P4 2.6 GHz HTT 512 MB SDRAM 80GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA/100 128MB DDR NVidia GeForce FX 5200 Dell UltraSharp 1800FP Windows XP Home
If you haven't done it already, go into your control panel, advanced and then error reporting......uncheck the box for a "reboot" and you'll get to see the error codes on the BSOD.....all of my errors are 08 or 60 which indicate corrupted drivers or memory.....
Also, you might look in the control panel, administration, event viewer and check out the system errors......most of my BSOD screens are associated with a "bugcheck" reboot which we've determined to be memory oriented also....just not sure whether it's hardware or driver related....
Well......we're still working on it.....the machine "still" is pretty stable with 3 sticks of memory which makes it run in "single" channel memory mode....
Dell replaced the motherboard last Friday......didn't take long and it was back to the "corrupted memory" BSOD's and "missing / corrupted" device drivers in the system hardward part of control panel....with two sticks of memory in slots 1 and 3....
Dell has now advised me to do a WINXP repair but will not get to that until later in the week....SO....three sticks back in and the machine is stable so far....
Slots are X1 X2 X3 X4 with X1 being closest to the CPU......the connectors are color coded white / black. So X1 and X3 (white connectors) yields "dual channel" memory mode which you can check via the F2 setup in the BIOS screen when the machine boots up. When you go to 1 stick or 3 sticks, it will show "single" channel mode....and I use those in X1 X2 X3........
I've read and read and read on the internet about Intel 865PE boards and their finicky memory problems....and now appears most of the major memory manufacturers are now selling the memory as "matched" for these type machines.....
Will keep you posted.....but no joy in Oklahoma City yet.....
Let me know if you go to 1 or 3 sticks and what it does to your computer...
I agree ... but I'm going slow ... over the years I've had 6-8 Dell machines (I mean back to 386-33 land) and this is the first one that has ever given me problems ... so I have that hope there's "something" missing that will make this machine well....and mainly because I've not seen nor read anywhere a problem like the one I've been having.....until recent posts in this forum.....
So, it may just be a lemon.....or a problem Dell hasn't addresseed yet....
Just to update, I moved the memory around to try and see if a particular slot is bad. As far as I can tell the system runs fine with memory in any slot but # 1. In order to get dual channel, I am running with 2x256 in slots 3 & 4 (220, 230, whatever works right?). In working through this I did find out that when running Dell Diagnostics on my memory it says I have 256 @ 333mhz instead of 400mhz. Would anyone else care to run memory diagnostics and see what theirs says? The label on the memory says 400. The tech says that it is just a parameter problem with the diagnostic program and that it is really running at 400mhz. Seems like a riddle wrapped inside an enigma to me.
Anyway, new ram and motherboard on the way and the motherboard is on backorder. Huh? One can only hope that the new board will not have similar issues, it will still be an 865.
Very interesting.....I've not tried 2/4 with my memory.....
Try downloading CPU-Z at http://www.cpuid.com/ as it will show you a lot about your CPU and memory -- even identifies the memory .... since I'm in single channel mode with mine, it shows a speed of 199.5......
So, will change things around and update you later....
I did the "repair" installation on my WINXP PRO yesterday and completely lost my computer.....during the "repair", couldn't get the CDROM to read past the initial installation....then it did....then it didn't...probably 30 times to finally get the repair done.....and then it hard locked with a ntdll.dll error.....but finally got it repaired and back to square one.....
Interesting in that I now need to update *all* the Windows Updates again...but going to wait and play with the machine a bit before doing so and keep it off the network.....see if it has anything to do with the updates coming through so we can eliminate *that*....
Good luck on the mobo and memory....and please keep us updated....I really need a stable machine......
The Dell Diagnostics listed the memory in my 4600 @ 333mhz, too - even though the bios and all other benchmarks/programs list it at 400mhz.
I've also noticed that using a seperate video card causes different views of the memory configuration vs. using the integrated graphics. Example: CPU-Z shows nothing under tha 'channels' area when running integrated video, yet shows 'Dual' when running with a seperate video card. Adia32 shows similar behaviour. The memory is still running in dual channel mode with integrated video as evidenced by performance in memory bandwidth benchmarks - it just seems that doing so confuses some of the diag/benchmarking programs.
How very strange......I completed my "installation repair" of WINXP Pro and still had the same problems as before so pretty much rules out any "corrupted" drivers.....
I tried your 2/4 slot arrangement with the original Dell memory and have been about 36 hours without a problem.....dual channel mode is stable as a rock....with almost *all* of the 512mb memory in use with multi programs running.....
Intel is very specific about first two memory sticks are in 1/3....and don't do 2/4 which will cause major memory corruption.....so guess I'm still confused in Oklahoma....
Keep me updated and I will do the same for you....
I was suprised on Friday when my wife said a tech had called and would be over to install the new motherboard and memory. After installation, his assessment was to reformat. He said the system was not freezing but refusing to accept commands. Whatever.
The next step for me was to repair Windows XP. This did seem to help but things were still not 100%. When I test my memory, it said one dimm was running at 333mhz and the other was at 400mhz. Another "riddle wrapped inside an enigma".
At this point, I took a rest and worked on my rather simple network set-up. This went as usual given only a moderate knowledge of computers on my part. By the time I was done, the computer was screaming, I connected to DSL at 400Mbps (is that even possible) and everything was as it should be.
I now have a response from Dell asking me whether I want to replace parts or have Next Business Day Service replace the parts....BUT...they didn't tell me "what" they are replacing....so we'll see....course this message came from the 4th person who has been working this problem in tech.....
Still running fine with slots 2/4........also....encouraging with the other thread you referenced that "it's not just me".....and there is a hardware problem..
okcnhra
18 Posts
0
February 21st, 2004 23:00
Did you like the "blank" previous message....IE6.0 hosed out as I typed the first word and somehow sent the message on.....been dealing with this mother for 2 weeks now and still don't have an answer.....strange problem.....read on...back to 256mem and I'm stable again.....
60 day old 4600 2.6HT 800FSB with 2x256 Samsung memory (in the right slots).....loaded a ton of software from the start and it's been unstable since the beginning....so been on a wild hunt for the problems with driver changes/updates/etc..., eventual reinstall of WinXP Pro to new SATA hard drive, BIOS updates and NOW, it appears to be a memory problem.....lots of Dell support....just no answers that fix it yet....
Unstable machine, lots of BSOD's showing 50 and 08A errors which indicate various drivers and corrupted memory......and control panel showing missing/corrupted drivers for the modem or processor or CDrom.......and finally find what appears to be a common error.....
Remove one stick of memory, back to 256 in single channel mode and the all the problems go away.....immediate reboot and the previously missing drivers are now cured and well....and system is stable...for days at a time......
Dell shipped one new stick of memory....put it in slot 1....and orig memory in slot 3....and back to unstable.....move various sticks around, always using 1 and 3 to match.....and unstable......take out a stick and back to 256....stable.......
Really really confusing....Dell still thinks its software related....but I don't....I think it doesn't like dual channel.......two orig sticks were Samsung.....and replacement memory stick....can't tell maker.....
Starting to want to put 1 512 in Slot 1 and be done in single channel mode but hey, the machine's only 60 days old......and dual channel would be a big help with my processing....lots of concurrent memory programs....
Has *anyone* experienced anything like this .... I can't find anything on the board....and everyone is upgrading memory with no problems once they get them in the right slots.......
Lost in Oklahoma......
robnalex
2 Intern
•
720 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2004 01:00
I don't have a solution, just some assurance that the 4600 is a good machine. I have 2 sticks of 512MB and no problems whatsoever.
Stay on top of Dell about this- you might want to start barking for them to replace the computer. I don't know much, but is sounds like a bad motherboard to me.
Rob
okcnhra
18 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2004 02:00
I've been running about 3 hours now with *all* three sticks of memory in the machine and not even a hint of problems or a crash.....
The agreement was for me to update them on Monday --- believe our next step will be "two" new matched sticks of memory....and I'll return the three in my possession.....and if that doesn't cut it.....then will push for a motherboard replacement.....have the NBD warranty and I'm out of "detective" time....
Thanks for the input....
LaruscoB
39 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2004 19:00
okcnhra,
I am in about week two of the type of problems you mentioned. System freezes, BSOD's and lots of powering down reboot. Dell has been ineffective up to this point. So far I have stayed out of the box but the idea of having problems with the memory sticks makes alot of sense to me.
To the point, what are the correct slots when I have 2 X 256 memory sticks. It looks as though you said slots 1 and 3.
I am curious if your problem is fixed and how you resolved it, i.e...what was the final solution, assuming it is fixed?
Thanks,
Dimension 4600
P4 2.6 GHz HTT
512 MB SDRAM
80GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA/100
128MB DDR NVidia GeForce FX 5200
Dell UltraSharp 1800FP
Windows XP Home
okcnhra
18 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2004 20:00
One other thing.....
If you haven't done it already, go into your control panel, advanced and then error reporting......uncheck the box for a "reboot" and you'll get to see the error codes on the BSOD.....all of my errors are 08 or 60 which indicate corrupted drivers or memory.....
Also, you might look in the control panel, administration, event viewer and check out the system errors......most of my BSOD screens are associated with a "bugcheck" reboot which we've determined to be memory oriented also....just not sure whether it's hardware or driver related....
More when I know more...
okcnhra
okcnhra
18 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2004 20:00
Well......we're still working on it.....the machine "still" is pretty stable with 3 sticks of memory which makes it run in "single" channel memory mode....
Dell replaced the motherboard last Friday......didn't take long and it was back to the "corrupted memory" BSOD's and "missing / corrupted" device drivers in the system hardward part of control panel....with two sticks of memory in slots 1 and 3....
Dell has now advised me to do a WINXP repair but will not get to that until later in the week....SO....three sticks back in and the machine is stable so far....
Slots are X1 X2 X3 X4 with X1 being closest to the CPU......the connectors are color coded white / black. So X1 and X3 (white connectors) yields "dual channel" memory mode which you can check via the F2 setup in the BIOS screen when the machine boots up. When you go to 1 stick or 3 sticks, it will show "single" channel mode....and I use those in X1 X2 X3........
I've read and read and read on the internet about Intel 865PE boards and their finicky memory problems....and now appears most of the major memory manufacturers are now selling the memory as "matched" for these type machines.....
Will keep you posted.....but no joy in Oklahoma City yet.....
Let me know if you go to 1 or 3 sticks and what it does to your computer...
Good luck....
okcnhra
NVRambo
1.9K Posts
0
March 3rd, 2004 03:00
For my money, I'm calling Dell and asking for a CPU and another new DIMM to match the one new one you have if you've marked it for ID.
If that doesn't fix it, then it's on to the mainboard.
They shouldn't fight you on this as the system isn't even stable with the ordered configuration.
okcnhra
18 Posts
0
March 3rd, 2004 11:00
I agree ... but I'm going slow ... over the years I've had 6-8 Dell machines (I mean back to 386-33 land) and this is the first one that has ever given me problems ... so I have that hope there's "something" missing that will make this machine well....and mainly because I've not seen nor read anywhere a problem like the one I've been having.....until recent posts in this forum.....
So, it may just be a lemon.....or a problem Dell hasn't addresseed yet....
okcnhra
LaruscoB
39 Posts
0
March 4th, 2004 01:00
Just to update, I moved the memory around to try and see if a particular slot is bad. As far as I can tell the system runs fine with memory in any slot but # 1. In order to get dual channel, I am running with 2x256 in slots 3 & 4 (220, 230, whatever works right?). In working through this I did find out that when running Dell Diagnostics on my memory it says I have 256 @ 333mhz instead of 400mhz. Would anyone else care to run memory diagnostics and see what theirs says? The label on the memory says 400. The tech says that it is just a parameter problem with the diagnostic program and that it is really running at 400mhz. Seems like a riddle wrapped inside an enigma to me.
Anyway, new ram and motherboard on the way and the motherboard is on backorder. Huh? One can only hope that the new board will not have similar issues, it will still be an 865.
okcnhra
18 Posts
0
March 4th, 2004 08:00
Very interesting.....I've not tried 2/4 with my memory.....
Try downloading CPU-Z at http://www.cpuid.com/ as it will show you a lot about your CPU and memory -- even identifies the memory .... since I'm in single channel mode with mine, it shows a speed of 199.5......
So, will change things around and update you later....
I did the "repair" installation on my WINXP PRO yesterday and completely lost my computer.....during the "repair", couldn't get the CDROM to read past the initial installation....then it did....then it didn't...probably 30 times to finally get the repair done.....and then it hard locked with a ntdll.dll error.....but finally got it repaired and back to square one.....
Interesting in that I now need to update *all* the Windows Updates again...but going to wait and play with the machine a bit before doing so and keep it off the network.....see if it has anything to do with the updates coming through so we can eliminate *that*....
Good luck on the mobo and memory....and please keep us updated....I really need a stable machine......
"fingers crossed in okc"....
TechniKal
76 Posts
0
March 4th, 2004 12:00
The Dell Diagnostics listed the memory in my 4600 @ 333mhz, too - even though the bios and all other benchmarks/programs list it at 400mhz.
I've also noticed that using a seperate video card causes different views of the memory configuration vs. using the integrated graphics. Example: CPU-Z shows nothing under tha 'channels' area when running integrated video, yet shows 'Dual' when running with a seperate video card. Adia32 shows similar behaviour. The memory is still running in dual channel mode with integrated video as evidenced by performance in memory bandwidth benchmarks - it just seems that doing so confuses some of the diag/benchmarking programs.
okcnhra
18 Posts
0
March 6th, 2004 18:00
How very strange......I completed my "installation repair" of WINXP Pro and still had the same problems as before so pretty much rules out any "corrupted" drivers.....
I tried your 2/4 slot arrangement with the original Dell memory and have been about 36 hours without a problem.....dual channel mode is stable as a rock....with almost *all* of the 512mb memory in use with multi programs running.....
Intel is very specific about first two memory sticks are in 1/3....and don't do 2/4 which will cause major memory corruption.....so guess I'm still confused in Oklahoma....
Keep me updated and I will do the same for you....
Okcnrha
LaruscoB
39 Posts
0
March 7th, 2004 18:00
I was suprised on Friday when my wife said a tech had called and would be over to install the new motherboard and memory. After installation, his assessment was to reformat. He said the system was not freezing but refusing to accept commands. Whatever.
The next step for me was to repair Windows XP. This did seem to help but things were still not 100%. When I test my memory, it said one dimm was running at 333mhz and the other was at 400mhz. Another "riddle wrapped inside an enigma".
At this point, I took a rest and worked on my rather simple network set-up. This went as usual given only a moderate knowledge of computers on my part. By the time I was done, the computer was screaming, I connected to DSL at 400Mbps (is that even possible) and everything was as it should be.
Unfortunately, I still need to reinstall several programs including Zone Alarm so we will see how things look after that. Interesting to note http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=cc_general&message.id=49655 There seems to be a delay in shipping any more 4600's for some undisclosed reason.
okcnhra
18 Posts
0
March 7th, 2004 20:00
Thanks for the update......
I now have a response from Dell asking me whether I want to replace parts or have Next Business Day Service replace the parts....BUT...they didn't tell me "what" they are replacing....so we'll see....course this message came from the 4th person who has been working this problem in tech.....
Still running fine with slots 2/4........also....encouraging with the other thread you referenced that "it's not just me".....and there is a hardware problem..
Okcnhra
NVRambo
1.9K Posts
0
March 7th, 2004 20:00