Anything I should know about this machine's relationship with RAM? It's being really weird; says RAM is failing on several DIMM slots when I'm pretty sure the RAM is known good. Won't let me run Memtest from USB, it freezes when I choose it from BIOS to boot. I know it prefers ECC RAM, and I don't know if that's what is in there--is this required? Are the slots going bad?
Dell Precision T3500
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Mainstay
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How do you know the RAM is good?
That system supports 24 GB as I recall, what is your configuration and has it always been this way?
Your BIOS is up-to-date and your power supply is good? This is a 2011 (I think) unit... all original parts?
You get a POST warning about the RAM... or how do you know this?
That system supports 24 GB as I recall, what is your configuration and has it always been this way?
Your BIOS is up-to-date and your power supply is good? This is a 2011 (I think) unit... all original parts?
You get a POST warning about the RAM... or how do you know this?
Sorry, that was kind of an ADD opener. Power supply was indeed bad and that's already been replaced. Machine came to me with 12GB in it, every slot filled (6 of them). POST said DIMM1 was bad, so I took it out and replaced with one of mine. Then it said DIMM2 was bad. Then 3. I took all of those out and replaced with mine--known good ones--and it started saying the same thing. If I switch them around, sometimes it says it and sometime it doesn't. The only thing I can think is either some of the RAM is ECC and some not, or some of the slots are starting to go?
Interestingly even though it complains at POST about this business it still boots and runs after hitting F1.
Hates registered RAM btw. Won't boot at all with that, and I don't have any ECC RAM on hand.
Interestingly even though it complains at POST about this business it still boots and runs after hitting F1.
Hates registered RAM btw. Won't boot at all with that, and I don't have any ECC RAM on hand.
Mainstay
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Are the all of the memory modules the same (excluding yours)? If you look them up, are they marked ECC?
I'd start with no RAM and establish that the system is POSTing correctly (i.e., the correct beep code is generated)... then add 1 module and move on from there. There are a ton of different variations on MEMTEST86 so you might have to play with a few versions to get one to test on that MB. You can also use the Dell Diagnostics to check memory.
I'd still check to make sure that the BIOS is updated and that that PS is still good (maybe even swap in a shop unit). Maybe even replace the CMOS battery - stranger things have happened.
Can you test that RAM in a compatible motherboard?
That memory is kind of pricey. We just ordered a few modules for one of our T3500's but it is definitely still on the market and may be worth the cost to resurrect a beast like this.
I'd start with no RAM and establish that the system is POSTing correctly (i.e., the correct beep code is generated)... then add 1 module and move on from there. There are a ton of different variations on MEMTEST86 so you might have to play with a few versions to get one to test on that MB. You can also use the Dell Diagnostics to check memory.
I'd still check to make sure that the BIOS is updated and that that PS is still good (maybe even swap in a shop unit). Maybe even replace the CMOS battery - stranger things have happened.
Can you test that RAM in a compatible motherboard?
That memory is kind of pricey. We just ordered a few modules for one of our T3500's but it is definitely still on the market and may be worth the cost to resurrect a beast like this.
