hp ZBook g8. memory card works in one slot but not in the second

[ASam1982]

can you please help me to understand the issue?

i wanted to upgrade my book g8, 

it comes with a single 16 GB memory card.

then I purchased a memory card with exactly the same Part Number (M471A2K43EB1-CWE) 

and try to install it.

as a result - the new card doesn`t work in any of the two slots,

the old one - works only in the slot it was initially installed but didn't work in the second - which is the most surprising.

when I say it doesn`t work - the PC cannot start - it blinks with caps lock (5 times) and 3 times with num lock in parallel. 

how it should be? I would expect that I can purchase basically any SODIMM DD4; maybe I can check something in addition?

[erico]

If you remove the original memory module and put the new one in its slot and the the laptop does not boot, it would indicate that the new module is not functioning.  It is DOA.

Contact the vendor you purchased it from and request a replacement module.

[TzortzisG]

Hi!

This irrational system behaviour where the laptop doesn't accept the single (HP factory-fitted) RAM module on the other slot(s), or any kind of changes on its RAM config sometimes pops up on post-G8 (and in some rare cases even G8) Business models and is not RAM-module related. I think that following this thread will clear things up: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/RAM-upgrade-failed/m-p/8909911...  On G9 or higher models this is more the rule than the exception.

ASam1982, try this out and if it doesn't work you can come back and we'll explore other options.

Take care!

[ASam1982]

thank you very much! going to send back the bad module and get new one

[ASam1982]

Am I right that it makes sense to wait till several restarts?

with your reference I also found this post

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/RAM-Upgrade-and-Blank-Screen/m...

that is super unexpected, that PC needs in such behavior to install the memory card... 

[TzortzisG · Accepted solution]

Yes ASam1982, my intention was that you read that old post by the user with a similar system. These laptops have a very complicated BIOS and sometimes just need a little patience from the end user.... I would try installing the second module and letting it "do its thing" before going for other options. Usually it works.

BTW, I seriously doubt your new (or old) RAM module is bad. A bad module will not work correctly in one slot and not another.

[ASam1982]

TzortzisG, thank you very much. you are a superb professional ( I have seen some of your other answers),

your advice helps a lot

I was afraid of the behavior (5 blinkings CapsLock (with 3 times num lock together) for me - hardware problem signal) and were turning off the PC too early.

I started to wait a little and got a white screen with the message (and a loud, aggressive beep!):

 POST Configuration Change Prompts

2e1- Memory size error

blablabla

Press enter.

QR-code refers to a non-existing page at the hp support site.

That was not an error! I did upgrade memory intentionally 🙂

so, now everything works well.

I was upgrading my PCs several times in the past, but I saw such a thing for the first time.

Thank you very much again!

[TzortzisG]

ASam1982, I'm glad your upgrade turned out fine (finally).

Of course you're 100% correct. This "issue" on the recent generation Business laptops does scare even the most advanced users. I had to face it when upgrading a G9. Usually you don't see it on the G8 models. I'm just guessing here, but it seems that HP used the more complicated and advanced BIOS only on the top-tier G8 ZBooks first, and then on the following G9s (all of them).

Have a good one!

* Oh, and almost forgot: Thanks for posting back with the detailed report. Now I can just point users that face similar issues to this thread. Thanks!