memory madness

[LADave]

The 6200 Pro I bought used came with one 4GB stick, POSTed and booted with no issues, but when I attempted to add a matched second stick it would only start if DIMM slots 1 and 2 were populated, despite the "black before white" rule.  If DIMM slots 3 or 4 are populated, it stops with two keyboard LEDs lit, no POST and no specific error indications. 

It has the i3 2100 CPU and I have attempting to install PC3-8500 and PC3-10600 RAM, which consistently only work in Channel B.

I updated the BIOS to 2.28, without any improvement.

Do I have a CPU problem, a motherboard problem, or something else?  I don't have a second i3 or motherboard to substitute, so I'll probably have to buy a part to throw at it and hope for the best.  Or is there a diagnostic to pinpoint the problem?

[old_geekster]

@LADave, welcome back to the forum.

Here is the "Maintenance and Service Guide" for the workstation.  In Chapter 7, Page 132, it tells how to populate the memory slots for your workstation.  One caveat, if the memory isn't the same brand sometimes this can cause a problem.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[LADave]

Geekster - I have tried several different sets of two, matched by brand as well as specs, in the specified black slots, with consistent results.  Any stick in Channel A (slots 3 or 4) equals no POST.  One stick in slot 1 or two in slots 1 and 2 consistently POSTs and boots. 

[old_geekster]

Thank you for the additional information, @LADave.

I had a motherboard several years ago that would not POST with any sticks in Slots 1 & 2.  I had to use Slots 3 & 4 for it to POST.  I never did find out why this was happening.  The manufacturer's Tech Support couldn't explain it.  You may have to use only Slots 1 & 2.

The only BIOS update for your workstation is for Win XP, 7, Vista & 8.  There are no updates for Win 10.

[LADave]

Geekster - Why did you suspect the motherboard rather than the CPU?  I'm having the same suspicion, and over the years I have experienced several motherboard failures, but don't recall any CPU failsures.  Nevertheless, I'd rather not just start replacing parts based on nothing more than suspicion.

[old_geekster]

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@LADave wrote:

Geekster - Why did you suspect the motherboard rather than the CPU?  I'm having the same suspicion, and over the years I have experienced several motherboard failures, but don't recall any CPU failsures.  Nevertheless, I'd rather not just start replacing parts based on nothing more than suspicion.

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Many times it is not the motherboard that is causing the problem, but something in the BIOS.  For whatever reason, the memory slots seem to be the most effected.  You should check for a BIOS update and install it to see if solves your problem.

[LADave · Accepted solution]

A motherboard replacement solved the problem.  Thirteen bucks on E**y.