Boot up problems with HP Z840 after upgrading with second process and additional RAM

[Paul_NGC]

We have multiple HP Z840  that are getting an upgrade to dual processor and 192GB of RAM and we are getting different results.  We have upgraded to the 4/2019 release of the BIOS and problem persist.

- 1st instance, We have a HP Z840 dual processor that will only upgrade to 128GB properly.  If we add another 64GB to bump it to 192GB, we received the 5 beep codes that indicate a possible RAM module.  We replace the RAM module and still received the 5 beeps.  We also used the suspected bad RAM module on another HP Z840 and it worked on a different machine.

- 2nd instance, HP Z840 dual processor setup, workstation boots up properly if RAM is only installed on CPU 0 memory slots and CPU 1 memory slots are empty.  Once we add RAM to the CPU1 memory slots, we received the 5 beep codes again.  We replaced with brand new "out of the box" RAM and problem persist

- 3rd instance, HP Z840 dual processor setup, 192GB RAM.  We did not received any 5 beep codes on this workstation but nothing shows on the screen and the CPU fan continues on a high rev and will not slow down or stop unless we power the workstation down.

P.S we have upgrade over a dozen HP Z840 we the same configuration and RAM but recently getting a set of workstation exhibiting the problems above.  RAM specs is "16GB 2Rx4 PC4-2133" 1.2v registered dual rank RDIMM

[DGroves]

workstation related questions should be posted in the workstation forum rather than this generic hardware forum as you might stand a better chance of a reply in the workstation forum

all of your posts seem to be memory controller related, and since the z840's have their memory controller embedded in the cpu's i'd take a guess that the cpu's are not making proper contact with the cpu socket pins note that this assumes you are not using pre production sample cpu's

try removing the cpu's and clean the gold pads using 98% isopropyl alcohol then inspect the sockets for bent pins and if some are damaged have a qualified shop try to reposition them reseat the cpu's carefully and retest

[Paul_NGC]

Thank you for your reply.   All processors are brand new and are properly detected in the BIOS.  The processor can only go one way on the HP Z840 or else the lock will not close properly.  We have to aligned the corner and made sure if was sitting properly.  We did try your suggestion but got the same result.

Also, thank you for suggesting to move this question on to the workstation area.

[DGroves]

swap cpu's between sockets and if anything changes either the socket (pin contact) or the cpu itself is the source of the problem

if no change, inspect dimms and memory sockets for bad /poor connections and clean

i had this issue on a z820 with dual cpu's  that would not work with 8gb dimms in all slots but did work with 4gb dimms

[Paul_NGC]

Hi DGroves,

Thank you for you reply once again.  We have performed what you mentioned initially regarding swapping CPU between the 2 sockets when we first encountered this use.  We also used can air to clean the memory socket but still gotten the same beep codes.  This is getting frustrating as it's holding up our upgrade project.

Also, we did experience the same thing you said, we have a dual Z840 CPU that will not work with 16GB sticks but will work with 4GB.

[DGroves]

one more time...... cleaning the cpu's by using a air can IS NOT the same as using 98% isopropyl  alcohol on the pads!!

also do the same to the memory module pads and again carefully inspect the cpu and memory sockets for any contact related problems use a magnifying glass for this

the z820's and z840's have the memory controller on the cpu, and as such the most common issue is either a poor cpu to socket or memory module to socket 

if the system will work with 8gb modules in all sockets with only one cpu, swap that cpu with another and if it still works the issue is with the second cpu socket or the second cpu's memory sockets