203-memory module failed self-test and failing rank was disabled - Slot 1

[kcmule]

I'm runing an xw8400 (vista 64 business) and upon booting I get "203-memory module failed self-test and failing rank was disabled - Slot 1"  "F1 to boot." error message.

The machine seems to run fine, no BSOD's, hiccups, etc.. just this error message.  There are 4 sticks of 2gb ram, in slots 1 3 5 7.  BIOS and OS both report 8gb of ram.  I swapped sticks in 1 and 3 hopping the error would follow the stick.  No such luck, the error remains at slot 1.  So I ran the Insight Diagnostic Tools booted from a CD.  After about a 12 hour testing phase, all passed, no errors at all.  Assuming that means the slot is not malfunctioning.

Suggestions for solving this error?

Thanks.

[erico]

Hi,

If the slot is damaged, then the only resolution would be replacing the motherboard.  Did you run the tests with all memory modules installed.

Best regards,

erico

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

You may may also want to post your question in the HP business support forum -- xw workstations section, if my only recommendation fails to solve the issue.

http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Workstations-z-series-xw-series/bd-p/bsc-272

My suggestion is to clear the CMOS and see if that clears the error.

See the troubleshooting guide, appendix H, page 164 for instructions on how to proceed.

http://bizsupport2.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00680846/c00680846.pdf

[kcmule]

Yes.  All memory modules were installed while the test was running.

It doesn't make sense to me that the test would pass and BIOS/OS report 8gb if the slot was damaged.

Thanks for the reply.

[kcmule]

I'll try the business forum (oops) if the clearing the CMOS doesn't work.

Thanks for the reply and suggestion.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[kcmule]

Well,  clearing the CMOS didn't help.  I used the on-board button, not the menu option.

[kcmule]

Just as a follow up, after trying one stick of ram at a time, I discovered one stick is bad.  However, it was located in slot 5. So I have no idea why the error was reporting an issue with slot 1.  So much for meaningful error messages.  Could it be that slot 5 is actually 'slot 1' for a second processor?  Assuming slots are assigned per processor.  Wild guess here.