Frank Simpson Posted on May 15, 2011

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Dell Precision 530 with dual Xeon CPUs. Uses Rambus memory. (4) 256mb ECC modules are installed. It should be a total of 1 gb. However, BIOS only shows 256mb total even though it shows all 4 rambus modules each with 256mb. I updated the BIOS from version A8 to A11 but still only 256mb total. The machine works but with only 256mb total memory, the Windows XP Pro that's loaded runs very slowly as it's using paging memory extensively. I took out 2 ECC modules and put in 2 non-ECC modules which is okay as system then treats them all as non-ECC. The non-ECC modules show up as such in BIOS memory listing along with 2 ECC modules. It is still showing only 256mb total. When using 2 "dummy" modules (called crimms) with 2 memory modules either ECC or non-ECC, it will not boot. The diagnostic lights on front of machine show A & C green while B & D are yellow. There is no display and the POST testing stops there. I looked up the diagnostic lights listing from Dell website and this is a code not shown on listing! This can be a very capable machine with 1 gb as the dual Xeons along with hyperthreading produce 4 logical processors in the performance tab of task manager. I'd hate to send this to electronics recycling knowing it could be a powerhouse if fixed.

1 Answer

Walter H Boehm

Dell Master 998 Answers
Posted on May 15, 2011

Walter H Boehm

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Joined: Oct 15, 2008

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It sounds like like you have multiple issues. When all memory slots are filled with 256 sticks the computer boots but only sees 256 MB instead of 1 gig.
When you install the Crimms it won't boot at all.
You may have an open circuit on one of the Crimms.
As for the computer seeing only 256 MB you may have a bad memory slot on the motherboard.
Here's a link regarding Direct Rambus DRAM or DRDRAM (sometimes just called Rambus DRAM or RDRAM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RDRAM

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