24gb installed (16gb usable)

[Wareham]

Good morning,

I upgraded the CPU and memory of  my Z400; can't achieve the desired results and introduced errors I can't seem to correct.    

Processor upgrade:  From     Intel W3520                               to    Intel W3670

Memory:                        From    4-2gb DIMMs - 8gb (OEM)     to    6-4gb DIMMs (PNY DDR3, 1600MHz(PC3-12800),

                                                                                                                          CAS Latency 11, 1.5V

I believe I performed the upgrade as outlined in the HP-Z400 Maintenance & User's Manual.  

At boot, I received the following error messages

• 209 Memory Warning Condition (WARN_DQS_Test) detected, Slot CPU0, DIMM3
• 209 Memory Warning Condition (WARN_DQS_Test) detected, Slot CPU0, DIMM4
• 209 (rd dq dqs) detected Slot CPU0 DIMM3
• 203 Memory module failed self-test and failing rank was disabled, Slot CPU0, DIMM3 
• 204 Memory module failed and user rank disabled slot CPU0, DIMM4

24gb installed (16gb usable)

Trouble shooting:

• I substituted the 4gb DIMMs located in DIMM3 & DIMM 4 with cards I had originally had in slots DIMM5 and DIMM6 where no errors were reported.    I received the same 5 error messages regarding DIMM3 and DIMM4.
• I re-installed 4 of the 6-4gb memory cards into slots 1,3,5,2.  - and received the DIMM3 error message as provided above and the summary, "16gb installed (12gb usable)  
• I replaced the 6-4gb DIMMs with the 4-2gb OEM DIMMs and again received DIMM3 error messages.  
• I replaced the 4-2gb OEM DIMM cards with 4 of the 4gb DIMM cards.  I installed them in slots 1,2,5,6. This is contrary to:  HP Z400 Workstation Memory notice - Configuration and optimization (June 2010)
• However, the system boots without an error message and shows 16gb usable.
• I have been reluctant to replace the newly installed W3670 with the originally installed W3520.  

Questions:

• What has caused this condition?
• Is there a way to install all 6-4gb memory cards, thus achieving a system with 24gb?.  
• If not, should I install the 4-4gb cards in slots 1,2,3,5 as directed by the bulletin?  Is there a way to install in slots 1,2,3,5 without receiving the error message and use all 16gb.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Regards,

John

[wb2001]

Just how did you determine that PNY memory was correct?     The errors you describe (203/4  and 209) reflect defective, or improper, or worse, an incorrect type.

[Wareham]

Good morning,

Thanks for getting back.  

Reference your questions:

• The PNY were listed as compatible - I realized they were not certified by HP.  However, I knew HP didn't have the time to certify all brands and PNY was a recognized name.
• However, I did think of your question about "correct memory" as I was attempting to troubleshoot.  I conducted a few tests that suggested that wasn't' the problem;
  • I only received the 203/204 messages (in fact all of the error messages) for the memory installed in DIMM slots 3 & 4.  The same PNY memory was installed in all 6 DIMM slots. This was true even when I moved the memory cards from DIMM slots 4 & 5 which showed no problem.  
  • After I got the error messages the second time, I re-installed the 2gb HP memory back into the machine.  I still received the same 203/204 error messages for DIMM slot 3.  (I only had 4-2gb memory cards and I installed them into DIMM slots 1,3,5,2  according to the HP Bulletin entitled HP Z400 Workstation Memory configuration and optimization (June 2010) - 4AA1-1503ENW June 2010. 
  • The machine is now running with PNY memory cards in slots 1,2,5,6.  The config reports 16gb installed.
• I didn't believe I could have done something to damage the machine.  That was why I wanted to involve the community.

I would be interested in your thoughts about the test, etc.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

John - Screen name Wareham.