Bizarre DC770 USDT memory issue

[AndyCF]

Second post here

I've recently acquired a nice DC7700 USDT as a second machine as I like its compact and quiet design. It arrived with 1536mb ram, that is 3x 512 sticks.

I've got some more memory, I ensured I got the correct ones looking at several .pdf's here and the details suggest this model will support 3GB as it only has 3 slots anyway.

The 'problem' here is you can only install memory into slot 1 and 3 not into 2. The memory I am using is brand new Kingston branded KVR800D2N6/1G , 1GB PC2-6400 CL6 240 Pin Dimm.

If you install just a single 1gb stick its fine. If you install a stick into both slots 1 and 3, so a total of 2gb its again fine.

If you install all three sticks or install a stick into slots 1 and 2 it either just powers up with no display (hard drive and fans spin) and sits there or more usually does five bleep and five flashes which indicates a memory issue.

It will not tolerate a stick in slot 2, apart from the original 512's. I've not tried a 512 in there with a 1gb in 1 and 3 yet.

I'd assumed I had a bad stick so swapped them but they are fine. I also took the new memory to a friends and had him test them, they are fine.

Not quite sure what the cause is here, as they seem to be compatible and it works fine with any two of them as long as you do not populate slot 2.

I've updated the Bios from v01.06 to v01.15, I assume that's the latest one.

Any thoughts please ?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

I read all the documentation on installing memory in your dc7700 USDT. There is no reason it should not be running with 3 x 1 GB chips of supported memory.

What I would do if I were you is see if your friend will let you install his memory in your PC and see if it works. If your PC will not start with all 3 slots populated with 1 GB RAM chips, I say your motherboard has an issue.

Here is the link to the hardware reference guide for your PC. Unless I am missing something, 3 GB should work w/o any magic.

http://bizsupport2.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00765839/c00765839.pdf

Paul

[AndyCF]

That's a thought

From what I remember he only has two sticks though but four slots so I guess we can try a mix and match effect. Not sure what else to say.

I do agree it is very strange that it does not work, I spent a bit of time ensuring I got suitable memory.

[AndyCF]

OK I had a thought yesterday as the machine was a bit dusty I completely stripped it (fans out etc) and cleaned it and put it back together. It made no difference but anyway I then started looking at the 3.x bios. It occured to me I could use this as it has a C2D chip in it (that's something I need to upgrade as its a slow one but anyway)

I decided to upgrade the bios to 3.0.5 and that fixed it , I noted from the history an earlier version of the vpro (109 maybe) had some memory 'fixes'

Anyway I'm happy to report its alive and well with its full compliment of 3GB ram now.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Andy:

That is great news!

If you decide to upgrade, the specs state you can go to the E6700.

This one.

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=27251&code=Intel%c2%ae+Core%e2%84%a22+Duo+Processor+E6700+(4M+C...)

Paul

[AndyCF]

Thanks Paul

I was looking at the specs earlier as I'd tried a quick install of 7 (I have XP as it is and a sticker on the case matching the exact version so no worries there) and it was fine but not quite as lively as I'd hoped so a small CPU upgrade is planned.

I did use the disc from my other machine that is (another manufacturers) branded one but it was fine even though that states 64bit only, I know it baulks on 32bit machines so that's another plus point, which reminds me to post a new topic later about something more general.

Thanks again for your help, appreciated. , I wanted to post the solution as if anyone is in a similar boat they may find (subject to 3.x bios being suitable) a 'fix' the same way I did.