Booting issue after trying installing new ram on T3610

Question

Hi,

I did something fairly stupid on my T3610 workstation. I needed more ram to process some data, and tried to put in extra 2x4gb to upgrade from 8gb to 16gb.

The issue I believe is that I put the ram in wrong positions (4 and 6) and since then the computer cannot boot properly. Even if I put back the rams in their previous positions to 8gb I get the power button blinking orange as well as leds 3 and 4 on. Nothing on my screen anymore.

Anyone would have some guidance to solve this? That would be of great help!

Thanks,
Pierre

DELL-Alasdair R · Accepted Answer

Hi Pierre,

Dell still has some motherboards, but stocks are low and reserved for in-warranty repairs only I'm afraid. The cost would be in the region of €270 (if they were still available to sell)

You should be able to source one from a 3rd party though, the matching Dell part number is VP6FK. I hope this helps.

Thanks

DELL-Alasdair R · Answer

Hi PierreMars,

LEDs 3 & 4 indicate a memory power failure. What I would try would be to remove all the memory modules, disconnect the mains power and hold in the power button for a few seconds.

Add back one module to slot 1 and see if the system starts up. If it does, then try adding in the other module(s), one at a time, until it is back to the desired configuration. If adding back a single module to slot 1 doesn't resolve the issue, try the other module(s) in slot 1 to see if the module is faulty or the slot.

Make sure not to mix different module types as this can cause issues.

PierreMars · Answer

Hi Alasdair, Thank you very much for your answer. It looks like it is the slot as trying different modules did not solve the problem. Any advice on how to carry on? Best regards,Pierre

DELL-Alasdair R · Answer

Doesn't sound too good. can you confirm that it is still flashing amber power LED and 3,4 solid amber?

Please verify the number of modules you have and what capacity they are. Can you try modules in slots 2 and 4? (all slot numbers I give are as printed on the motherboard) Please make sure all other connections to the motherboard are good. Can you PM me the service tag so I can check the original hardware configuration? Have any other hardware changes been made to the system prior to this issue?

Thanks

PierreMars · Answer

Hi Alasdair,

Thank you for your help. Sorry for late answering, I did not have access to the computer over a week.

I got two types of led configurations. One is power, 1 & 3 leds blink in amber, and the other configuration is power solid amber and 3 and 4 blink amber (but I get it seldomly, could not repeat it in my last - quite a few - restart of the machine, could be power blink, 3 & 4 solids).

Changing the power unit with another one (same) had no effect.

I PM you the service tag.

Pierre

DELL-Alasdair R · Answer

Hi Pierre,

Thanks for the tag and the extra information. The 1&3 LEDs also point towards a memory issue:

http://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/precision-t3610-workstation_owner's%20manual_en-us.pdf (page 53)

Can you try memory from another T3610 to see if that helps? Other than that, the only thing to try is to disconnect the power cable, remove the CMOS battery (page 25 of the manual) and hold in the power button for a few seconds to drain any residual power. then reconnect everything and turn on.

If the system is still failing, it looks like the motherboard needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, as the warranty has expired, it would be chargeable.

Let us know how you get on.

Thanks

PierreMars · Answer

Hi Alasdair,

I tried what you propose, but it is still in the same state.

Could you give me an idea of the price range of a new motherboard (if it still exists).

Thanks a lot for your help.

Best regards,
Pierre

PierreMars · Answer

Hi Alasdair, Thanks for your help. Best regards,Pierre

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Booting issue after trying installing new ram on T3610

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