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August 20th, 2020 14:00
ECC RAM detected by not usable
So I have a Dell Workstation T5400: https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-ca/product-support/product/precision-t5400/docs
I know it's old, I like vintage things hehe.
The default configuration came with 8x 1GB DDR2 ECC. I got new RAM: 8x 4GB DDR2 ECC for a total of 32GB. Very nice. But they are not used no matter which configuration/combination/layout I put the new stick in. If I load all 8 new stick, the system does not boot and gives error "1" + 3 beeps. Which is a memory problem according to the manual.
The only way to boot the system is to have at least 1 stick old stick RAM in DIMM#1. In the following screenshot, I have the following configuration: 4x 1GB (old) + 4x 4GB (new). The old RAM (4x 1GB) appears as usual and is usable. The new RAM (4x 4GB) is present but does not appear to be used by the system. (see picture)
As you can see there is a difference in "RANK" and in "ORGANIZATION". Now I'm wondering if that is the problem. Could that motherboard only accept RANK=1?
I'm missing something obvious I guess. Have you seen this type of behaviour before?
bradthetechnut
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August 24th, 2020 18:00
Older Dell's are more finicky.about needing matching RAM in order to work. Typically, size, speed, and brand all need to match. If the mew RAM doesn't work by itself, then it may be incompatitble.
lambertofmtl
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August 24th, 2020 20:00
bradthetechnut
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August 24th, 2020 21:00
https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/precision-t5400/docs
Three things you'll find with the above link - Troubleshooting RAM, Quick Reference Guide, and User's Guide. Pg. 37 of the User's Guide just told me a little about the RAM.
If it hasn't been done already, make sure you have latest BIOS that's for your T5400.
If it hasn't been done in the last 5 yrs., replace the size 2032 CMOS battery. As a low battery can cause all sorts of seemingly unrelated problems, it can often be the 1st thing to check. I suggest Duracell or Energizer as Sony only lasted me 2 yrs. instead of 5. Updating hardware is a good time to do it too.