Cannot boot after installing RAM -- receiving looping beep pattern

[gkline]

UEFI had determined my installed RAM was faulty, so HP support sent me a replacement RAM board. But after installing it, my ZBook won't boot. Within a couple of seconds after activating the power button, the computer begins a beeping pattern that loops endlessly until I force a power off. I'm wondering if I got faulty memory, or if it's the wrong type. I swapped in the faulty memory and I could boot normally. (Note that the fault of the SK hynix RAM is that some areas of the RAM causes a BSOD crash. It has happened too many times to mention).

Original ram: SK hynix HMAA4GS6MJR8N2, 32Gb 2Rx8 PC4 - 2666V - SE1 - 11

New ram: Samsung K1LQ002391693CBD6, 32GB 2Rx8 PC4 - 3200AA - SE1 - 11

Immediately I noticed 2666V vs. 3200AA. Is that the problem? I understand the "3200AA" actually means 3200MHz. Supposedly it just means the memory can operate faster. "2666V" is a different nomenclature, but I'm guessing it means "2666MHz." I'm wondering if there is some kind of frequency limitation for the ZBook. When I do a memory upgrade lookup through a number of 3rd party vendors, they all show 2666V or 2666MT memory. Never 3200AA.

[gkline]

UPDATE: I reinstalled my original RAM and it was able to boot with no problems. I had hoped reseating it would've "cured" the UEFI test failure, but it did not. The memory is still corrupted, causing a BSOD at any moment.

I tried installing the new RAM in the 2nd slot instead, and still it would not boot. Immediately the beeps with CAPS LOCK and NUM indicators flashing. Again, I tried installing it in the lower slot once more and the same problem happened.

So, somehow my HP ZBook Firefly 15 G7 cannot use this RAM.

It seems the Samsung SODIMM is PC4-25600, while the SK hynix SODIMM is PC4-21300. 

Original ram: SK hynix HMAA4GS6MJR8N2, 32Gb 2Rx8 PC4 - 2666V - SE1 - 11

New ram: Samsung M471A4G43AB1-CWE, 32GB 2Rx8 PC4 - 3200AA - SE1 - 11

I'm presuming that the HP support center in Texas sent me the wrong RAM. 

[TzortzisG]

Hi Gkline.

Texas has sent you the ultra-compatible Samsung M471A4G43AB1-CWE . This is a plain 2Rx8 module, just like your previous one -nothing wrong with it whatsoever. The speed is different -true. However, the CPU gives the system its maximum RAM speed, and in this case 10thGen Intel CPUs will give you 2666, as you can read in your systems spec sheet. The new RAM should run correctly, just at the lower 2666 speed.

It's my understanding that you still have an active warranty. It might be a good idea to let HP support take a look at your system (again).

[gkline]

Hi Tzortzis,

Thanks for your reply!

In all of my computer hardware experience, it was only on older versions of Windows with the computer BIOS of the day where one would need to boot into the BIOS and confirm the memory. But later versions of Windows with a more advanced manufacturer BIOS, this was unnecessary. In some cases, upon cold boot with the new RAM, a message would acknowledge the changed amount of RAM.

I presume things usually get easier, not more difficult. Especially if you're exchanging the same GB size of RAM. The BIOS shouldn't care who is the manufacturer, just supported specs (and in fact, earlier DDR types just won't fit). And from what I understand, HP did away with their whitelisting practices years ago. So, based on what you're seeing, is it possible the RAM I received is faulty? I've swapped in that memory 3 times now, all with the same result. And it never happens when I install the original RAM.

I was able to get in touch with HP Customer Support finally (yesterday their system was throwing faults). They're going to send me a replacement RAM that's has a spec of 2666MHz. Hopefully that'll do the trick. If not? Then, I'll have to send it in.

[TzortzisG]

Anything is possible I guess, Gkline, however it is known that RAM is the least likely to fail computer component, and this is why most RAM manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty. If it were just about the Samsung RAM, I would say there's a good chance you just got a "bad" module. But since you're having issues with the Hynix RAM as well, it's more than likely that the problem is with some other part of the laptop.

A RAM module's maximum supported speed is not really a compatibility issue for any system. This is because all DDR4 RAM modules have a JEDEC profile that has many differents speeds/timings, and if you run some monitoring application, you can actually see the DDR4 sodimm's speed fluctuating -especially when the system is idle. Therefore, on a system that supports lower speeds than the maximum speed of a RAM module, the sodimm's speeds will just fluctuate within that "narrower" range.

I do hope the problem is just a faulty or non-compatible RAM module. The good news is that if it's not, you still have the option of taking it in (to HP Support).

Take care!

[gkline]

Thanks for your assistance on this issue, TzortzisG.

The thing is... if there was a problem with the motherboard, then no memory would work at all. The original Hynix RAM that came standard on the ZBook actually functions. The laptop boots. It's just that there's some corruption to a portion of it, such that when the computer tries to utilize it, the system crashes. The replacement Samsung RAM I was sent by HP trips up things so badly, that the CMOS flags it as a failed component and won't even let the OS boot. And after removing that, replacing the Hynix RAM, the ZBook boots. Based on that troubleshooting, something is amiss with the new module... and I suspect some sort of incompatibility that isn't documented for the ZBook.

Meanwhile, I had opened a case with HP support, and their approach was to send me a different RAM module, and then I'd return the Samsung RAM I'd been sent. However, I appear to be stuck in CSR Validation. While I have previously had my ZBook validated twice (once for sending in my computer, another time for the replacement RAM), they have ceased to respond to my case. I cannot get the required RAM. This is really shocking behavior...

[TzortzisG]

Hi Gkline.

I agree that it's possible that you have 2 (TWO) RAM modules with issues. I'm just not sure how probable this is. The best advice I can give you is in the last sentence of my previous post......

[gkline]

Just to clarify, this ZBook Firefly 15 G7 has two SO-DIMM DDR4 slots. They are arranged horizontally. When I first opened the casing, I could see under the memory shield that the 32GB RAM was installed in the rightmost slot, which the firmware is calling the "bottom slot." I installed the new RAM in the same slot. I also tried a scenario of leaving in the original RAM and putting the new RAM in the 2nd slot -- again, the ZBook refused to even boot.  That sounds to me like the RAM may somehow be incompatible.

[gkline · Accepted solution]

Thankfully my ZBook is still under warranty. The effort to save HP and myself time and money didn't work out. I shipped my ZBook back to HP in Texas for service.

Within a week of them receiving my ZBook, they fixed it and sent it back via FedEx 3-day. Yes, turns out it was the memory. They replaced it. They also replaced by case bottom, where the front facing rubber strip had become distorted and detached (ridiculous design doesn't facilitate rubber strip replacement--the whole case bottom is replaced). To my surprise, I've now got 64Gb installed. UEFI test confirmed both SODIMMs are working 100%.

I don't have empirical evidence, but the ZBook seems to be running even faster than before. Feels like a new one was sent in replacement (but I checked the serial #, and it's mine).