Precision 5530 - Boot fail after RAM upgrade to 32GB

Question

I upgraded the RAM in my 5530 from the original 8GB to 32GB.
The 32GB is Crucial 32GB kit bls2c16g4s26bfsd (DDR4 PC4-21300 • CL=16 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR4-2666 • 1.2V • 2048Meg x 64 ) which according to the Crucial site is compatible with the 5530.
When I boot with the 32GB installed, boot fails, no display, just the light at the front of the keyboard flashes.
When I re-installed the original 8GB it boots fine but with the error that no memory could be found on previous boot.
Unfortunately I cannot test the Crucial memory in another machine. Having had lots of Crucial memory before I would be surprised if it is faulty memory. It could be a compatibility issue but as the Crucial site said it is compatible I would again be surprised.
BIOS is latest 1.3.0

Any suggestions gratefully received,

Thanks,

Paul

Superapple · Accepted Answer

I managed to upgrade from 16GB to 32GB (16GB x 2) successfully by adding another 16GB module (Kingston KCP426SD8/16) with the below procedures:

1. With the original memory configuration, get into BIOS by pressing F2 during POST

2. Under the setting "Intel Software Guard Extensions" => "Intel SGX Enable", change from Enabled to Disabled

3. Install the memory module

4. Boot up the laptop (Yes, it works after the SGX disabled), get into BIOS again. An alert message saying the amount of system memory has changed was shown. Just accept it and continue.

5. Revert the SGX from Disabled to Enabled, apply and reboot

6. Done. The system is now 32GB at 2666MHz memory speed.

Without playing around the SGX setting, the laptop was failed to boot with 16GBx2, and got the 4-white-2-amber LED flash. The BIOS is 1.15.0 and the message "Undefined event code 0x03808164" was logged.

I believe the above procedures would work for other memory modules combination upgrade. Hope this helps.

Mierenneuker · Answer

It seems it is indeed a compatibility issue with the Ballistix modules or indeed modules with low CL....the 9570 suffers the same....

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/XPS-15-9570-3rd-party-32GB-RAM-issue-booting/td-p/6088199

...so it seems the options are wait for a BIOS fix or buy some 'standard' Crucial modules....and Crucial needs to fix their compatibility checker.

Fishguy1234 · Answer

I had exactly the same problem with the same RAM (The 32GB is Crucial 32GB kit bls2c16g4s26bfsd (DDR4 PC4-21300 • CL=16 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR4-2666 • 1.2V • 2048Meg x 64 ).

I saw this post, and the link to the other thread. I can confirm that this (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BGZEVHU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) RAM does work in my Precision 5530.

Thank you for this post. It saved me a lot of time and research.

tb1015 · Answer

Hi,

Did Dell publish a new bios to solve this problem already?

I did update my bios a couple months ago. But I'm having the same problem while upgrading my 16 GB RAM to 32 GB RAM. The original RAM needs to be installed on the 2nd slot in order to be able to boot up.

Regards

Thomas

tb1015 · Answer

It turns out that not all memory module is compatible with the specification in DELL website. Hopefully, users have known this information before buy one (the memory or the laptop).

Andrewdell7300latitude · Answer

@Superapple​  BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGG THANKS MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!After spending money for another 2 ram's with 8gb and without any changes I found your message)))))))  I wish you all goods in the world!)))))

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Precision 5530 - Boot fail after RAM upgrade to 32GB

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