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186227
March 15th, 2005 00:00
HELP! "Memory modules are detected but a memory failure has occurred."
I had my computer on standby, with a CD in the drive and left it, came back to it, and moved the mouse. Nothing happened. Turned it off, turned it back on and it made a clicking noise and the cd drive light flashed and then the A & B on the back were lit up yellow, C & D are green. So I found out that means "Memory modules are detected but a memory failure has occurred."
I did what they said: unplug the pc, restart it. It didn't work. I then took one RAM out, started it, and it didn't work. Took the other RAM out, still didn't work. Don't know what to do now. It's still under warranty. I emailed them and they told me to: "open the system chassis and then remove all the components leaving the processor and motherboard. And then try to start the system, adding
components one-by-one and thereby restarting the system every time." I did that, kinda. I unplugged everything I could and it still wouldn't start. No idea now. Tried calling Dell but "all their techs are currently assisting other customers" lol!
Any suggestions?!? Thanks in advance.
I did what they said: unplug the pc, restart it. It didn't work. I then took one RAM out, started it, and it didn't work. Took the other RAM out, still didn't work. Don't know what to do now. It's still under warranty. I emailed them and they told me to: "open the system chassis and then remove all the components leaving the processor and motherboard. And then try to start the system, adding
components one-by-one and thereby restarting the system every time." I did that, kinda. I unplugged everything I could and it still wouldn't start. No idea now. Tried calling Dell but "all their techs are currently assisting other customers" lol!
Any suggestions?!? Thanks in advance.
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01rtgurl
4 Posts
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March 15th, 2005 00:00
osprey4
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34.2K Posts
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March 15th, 2005 10:00
01rtgurl
4 Posts
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March 15th, 2005 12:00
I sent ANOTHER email, with the same message and then got back this:
"Dear Jessica, I understand the issue you are facing due to memory and
wish to resolve it very soon. I assure you that I will work towards
resolving the issue to your utmost satisfaction.
Please note that the error message you are receiving is due to either
bad memory or the bad memory port on the motherboard. To isolate the
issue between memory and the motherboard, please use the following
steps:
1. If you have one memory module installed, reinstall the memory and
restart the computer.
2. If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules,
reinstall one module, and then restart the computer. If the computer
starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have
identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error. "
Ok, ONE: I told them that I did all that already in my email. TWO: I shouldn't have to go out and buy new RAM b/c it died. It's under warranty. Should I call and ask if they can come out?? I need this computer to do my homework. Tech dudes aren't helping by telling me what I already know/tried.....
????
osprey4
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March 15th, 2005 13:00
rmclayborn
23 Posts
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March 15th, 2005 21:00
Message Edited by rmclayborn on 03-16-2005 02:10 PM
01rtgurl
4 Posts
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March 16th, 2005 01:00
This all started on a Sunday. And you know I can't call on a Sunday, I definitely tried. I called the next day and like I said, they were busy. I have work and school so finally today I was at school and emailed back again and the guy seemed semi-flustered like he didn't realize he didn't answer my question, and to send all my info and what not, well I don't know my customer or order number b/c I'm at school, so I call home. My mom is on the phone with the Dell guy, has been for a while,and she said the guy said they would send someone out tomorrow. I get home and she says, well that guy made it sound like they would be here tomorrow but they'll be here Monday. F this, I have homework due and I'm just going to Bestbuy and buying some RAM. New question: Since I originally had 2 256, can I now put in 2 512? I just can't mix different sizes, correct?
I did the F12 thing again, nothing happens. And I said "kinda" b/c once I unplugged everything I could, it STILL wouldn't do anything! So I never got to start plugging stuff back in b/c it wouldn't work(start) any which way.
"if your car broke you wouldn't try to fix it yourself if it is under warranty" Actually, lol, I do sometimes. Sometimes it isn't worth the hassle!! Unless it's something that I don't have time to mess with. But that's offtopic.
ckollars
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January 9th, 2012 16:00
Obviously irrelevant to the OP seven years later, but maybe helpful to the _next_ person with a similar problem. Here's what worked for me on my ancient Dimension E310. Indicators 3&4 (and probably a blank screen and maybe a beep code) indicate a memory problem. The usual recommendation is to take all the DIMMs out (after draining power of course) and reseat them one by one. But that misses one simple obvious problem (at least in my case): the DIMM sockets on the motherboard are dirty and don't make good contact!
I cleaned the sockets by spraying TV contact cleaner into them (after removing and draining power to remove the DIMMs of course) and inserting/fully-seating/unclipping/removing/rinse&repeat DIMMs 5-10 times. Then when I put everything back together it all worked!
(Every spray can of TV Contact Cleaner I've ever seen came with a red tube taped to the side. One end of that red tube just fits into the hole in the spray button on the top of the can, and the other end directs all the solvent right into the DIMM slot rather than spraying it all over the inside of the computer. I tried not to make too much of a mess ...but I didn't worry about the inevitable drips.)