On Wed, 12 Jan 2011 05:44:46 -0600, Menno Hershberger
<mhersh22@nosuchplace.net> wrote:
>Derek Turner <frderek@cesmail.net> wrote in news:8p5dunFau4U1
>@mid.individual.net:
>
>> On Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:11:37 -0600, Menno Hershberger wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Any ideas?
>>
>> Dual-channel mode is fscked. One blue one black will not try to use dual-
>> channel.
>
>I thought about that but I see no indication in any of the specs that this
>configuration uses dual channel.
>
>Shame on you. You need to wash your fingers out with some fscking soap :-)
This is the typical symptom of Graphic chip failure in all HP Pavilion
with AMD. First the laptop wont boot, then boot with only one memory
stick and then eventually it dies down.
There are lots of posts in different forums about this. It usually
happen just at the end of Guarantee period or immediately after it.
Even if it happens within the guarantee period, you have to twist the
arm of HP to rectify it.
HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of the two 1Gb
DDR2-5300 memory sticks it would boot.
There are 4 slots, 2 blue ones next to each other and 2 black ones next to
the blue ones. Both chips were in the blue slots, none in the black ones. http://mewnlite.com/HPslots.jpg (if that helps).
I had a new matched pair of those DDR2-5300's so I took the remaining one
out and installed the new ones. No joy. After a lot of mixing and moving I
finally wound up with the two original sticks but I now have one of them in
a blue slot and the other in a black one and everything is working. And it
sees 2 gigs as it should.
I've looked the a6200n up on the HP site and several memory company sites
and the most detail I can get is that there are 4 slots and they can handle
up to 8 Gb (4 X 2). But I don't find anything about pairing them up.
I'll run memtest on it tonight but the computer is running error free now.
Plus the fact that the two new ones didn't work side by side tends to make
me believe there is nothing wrong with the memory.
The owner claims he's never had the cover off.
I'll probably just let him take it as is and see what happens, but
something is weird.
Any ideas?
On 1/11/2011 8:11 PM, Menno Hershberger wrote:
> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of the two 1Gb
> DDR2-5300 memory sticks it would boot.
> There are 4 slots, 2 blue ones next to each other and 2 black ones next to
> the blue ones. Both chips were in the blue slots, none in the black ones.
> http://mewnlite.com/HPslots.jpg (if that helps).
> I had a new matched pair of those DDR2-5300's so I took the remaining one
> out and installed the new ones. No joy. After a lot of mixing and moving I
> finally wound up with the two original sticks but I now have one of them in
> a blue slot and the other in a black one and everything is working. And it
> sees 2 gigs as it should.
> I've looked the a6200n up on the HP site and several memory company sites
> and the most detail I can get is that there are 4 slots and they can handle
> up to 8 Gb (4 X 2). But I don't find anything about pairing them up.
> I'll run memtest on it tonight but the computer is running error free now.
> Plus the fact that the two new ones didn't work side by side tends to make
> me believe there is nothing wrong with the memory.
> The owner claims he's never had the cover off.
> I'll probably just let him take it as is and see what happens, but
> something is weird.
> Any ideas?
If you put the sticks back into the configuration that originally gave
you a problem, does the problem reappear?
I cannot say what is happening, exactly, but I've fixed this problems
before just with a firm reseat of the module, or maybe a blast of
electrical cleaner or canned air. Obviously it was some sort of contact
problem, but it's hard to pinpoint.
In one scenario, I was able to identify a dead slot because one of the
pins had either fatigued and broken off, or was possibly defective from
the start. In that case, the user didn't really noticed that they were
only getting half of their memory other than generally poor performance.
Menno Hershberger wrote:
> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of the two 1Gb
> DDR2-5300 memory sticks it would boot.
> There are 4 slots, 2 blue ones next to each other and 2 black ones next to
> the blue ones. Both chips were in the blue slots, none in the black ones.
> http://mewnlite.com/HPslots.jpg (if that helps).
> I had a new matched pair of those DDR2-5300's so I took the remaining one
> out and installed the new ones. No joy. After a lot of mixing and moving I
> finally wound up with the two original sticks but I now have one of them in
> a blue slot and the other in a black one and everything is working. And it
> sees 2 gigs as it should.
> I've looked the a6200n up on the HP site and several memory company sites
> and the most detail I can get is that there are 4 slots and they can handle
> up to 8 Gb (4 X 2). But I don't find anything about pairing them up.
> I'll run memtest on it tonight but the computer is running error free now.
> Plus the fact that the two new ones didn't work side by side tends to make
> me believe there is nothing wrong with the memory.
> The owner claims he's never had the cover off.
> I'll probably just let him take it as is and see what happens, but
> something is weird.
> Any ideas?
>
The a6200n uses an AM2 based motherboard. So that tosses some
theories out the window. Memory population should be flexible.
As Grinder suggests, it could be a bad slot. AM2 has the
memory controller on the processor itself, so a damaged
processor is also a possibility, in terms of tracing
where the fault lies. Or a broken pin in the memory slot.
Retest the original DIMMs. Start with slot #1. Test with the
first DIMM, then test with the second DIMM. Record whether
the thing works or not. Next, move to slot #2. Test the DIMMs
one at a time again. Perhaps with a little testing, you can
figure out which DIMM always fails or which slot fails, and
so on.
Say that one of the DIMMs work, and only in slot #2. Now,
install the new DIMMs into slot #3 and slot #4 (ignoring
broken slot #1 say). Do all three slots work ? Is the total
detected memory correct ?
Are the new memories 2x1GB DDR2-5300 that you bought ?
I would think, even if the modules were single sided and
used 128Mx8 chips (for a total of 1GB per DIMM), it should
still work. As far as I know, the AM2 is pretty tolerant of
density issues, unlike other chipset controllers.
Paul <nospam@needed.com> wrote in
news:igjudb$7c8$1@news.eternal-september.org:
> Menno Hershberger wrote:
>> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
>> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of the
>> two 1Gb DDR2-5300 memory sticks it would boot.
>> There are 4 slots, 2 blue ones next to each other and 2 black ones
>> next to the blue ones. Both chips were in the blue slots, none in the
>> black ones. http://mewnlite.com/HPslots.jpg (if that helps).
>> I had a new matched pair of those DDR2-5300's so I took the remaining
>> one out and installed the new ones. No joy. After a lot of mixing and
>> moving I finally wound up with the two original sticks but I now have
>> one of them in a blue slot and the other in a black one and
>> everything is working. And it sees 2 gigs as it should.
>> I've looked the a6200n up on the HP site and several memory company
>> sites and the most detail I can get is that there are 4 slots and
>> they can handle up to 8 Gb (4 X 2). But I don't find anything about
>> pairing them up. I'll run memtest on it tonight but the computer is
>> running error free now. Plus the fact that the two new ones didn't
>> work side by side tends to make me believe there is nothing wrong
>> with the memory. The owner claims he's never had the cover off.
>> I'll probably just let him take it as is and see what happens, but
>> something is weird.
>> Any ideas?
>>
>
> The a6200n uses an AM2 based motherboard. So that tosses some
> theories out the window. Memory population should be flexible.
> As Grinder suggests, it could be a bad slot. AM2 has the
> memory controller on the processor itself, so a damaged
> processor is also a possibility, in terms of tracing
> where the fault lies. Or a broken pin in the memory slot.
>
> "Motherboard Specifications, MCP61PM-HM (Nettle2)"
> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...7676&tmp_task=
> prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&site=null&key= null&product=3548643#
> N94
>
> ( http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...tmp_rule=33891
> &tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&prod uct=3548643&key=null&
> site=null )
>
> Retest the original DIMMs. Start with slot #1. Test with the
> first DIMM, then test with the second DIMM. Record whether
> the thing works or not. Next, move to slot #2. Test the DIMMs
> one at a time again. Perhaps with a little testing, you can
> figure out which DIMM always fails or which slot fails, and
> so on.
Did that using slots #3 and #4. The picture of the motherboard you posted
a link to shows the blue ones as being 3 and 4. Neither chip fails in
either slot as long as they're run seperately.
> Say that one of the DIMMs work, and only in slot #2. Now,
> install the new DIMMs into slot #3 and slot #4 (ignoring
> broken slot #1 say). Do all three slots work ? Is the total
> detected memory correct ?
The blue slots are #3 & #4. Either one of the original modules will work
in either slot alone. Each of them registers as 1 GB in BIOS & Windows.
The OS is Vista (my apologies for cross posting to the XP group)
32 bit Vista runs intolerably slow with only 1 GB of memory .
If I put both of them back in 3 & 4, the computer won't boot.
If I put one of them in slot 2 (black) and one in slot 4 (blue) then it
boots fine and registers 2GB. Windows also runs reasonably well with 2GB
even if it *is* Vista. :-)
> Are the new memories 2x1GB DDR2-5300 that you bought ?
> I would think, even if the modules were single sided and
> used 128Mx8 chips (for a total of 1GB per DIMM), it should
> still work. As far as I know, the AM2 is pretty tolerant of
> density issues, unlike other chipset controllers.
Except for brand name, the specs on the modules are the same:
New ones are Samsung 1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300U-555-12-E3
Old ones are Hynix 1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300U-555-12 (without the E3)
I'm currently running memtest with the modules in slots 2 & 4. It just
completed 1 pass with no errors. I ran his up to date Trend Micro
antivirus on it earlier. It took almost 2 hours to complete but it found
nothing. Actually I ran it twice. The power settings were set for sleep
at 2 hours and that it did. Nothing I tried would bring it out of it so I
held the button in till it died, rebooted, changed that setting to
"never" and ran the AV again since I never really saw the results the
first time..
The only thing I *haven't* tried is running them both in slots 1 and 2.
I'll sleep a couple more hours while memtest is running and then try
that.
Grinder <grinder@no.spam.maam.com> wrote in
news:6-SdnSnzYL-wq7DQnZ2dnUVZ_u2dnZ2d@mchsi.com:
> On 1/11/2011 8:11 PM, Menno Hershberger wrote:
>> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
>> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of the
>> two 1Gb DDR2-5300 memory sticks it would boot.
>> There are 4 slots, 2 blue ones next to each other and 2 black ones
>> next to the blue ones. Both chips were in the blue slots, none in the
>> black ones. http://mewnlite.com/HPslots.jpg (if that helps).
>> I had a new matched pair of those DDR2-5300's so I took the remaining
>> one out and installed the new ones. No joy. After a lot of mixing and
>> moving I finally wound up with the two original sticks but I now have
>> one of them in a blue slot and the other in a black one and
>> everything is working. And it sees 2 gigs as it should.
>> I've looked the a6200n up on the HP site and several memory company
>> sites and the most detail I can get is that there are 4 slots and
>> they can handle up to 8 Gb (4 X 2). But I don't find anything about
>> pairing them up. I'll run memtest on it tonight but the computer is
>> running error free now. Plus the fact that the two new ones didn't
>> work side by side tends to make me believe there is nothing wrong
>> with the memory. The owner claims he's never had the cover off.
>> I'll probably just let him take it as is and see what happens, but
>> something is weird.
>> Any ideas?
>
> If you put the sticks back into the configuration that originally gave
> you a problem, does the problem reappear?
Yes
> I cannot say what is happening, exactly, but I've fixed this problems
> before just with a firm reseat of the module, or maybe a blast of
> electrical cleaner or canned air. Obviously it was some sort of
> contact problem, but it's hard to pinpoint.
While I haven't actually blown the slots out, I have inspected the slots
up close with a flashlight. The slots are clean and all the pins seem to
be intact. And as I mentioned in my reply to Paul, both slots work when
used alone. Except for a little bit of dust in the heat sink, the inside
of the case was dust free.
> In one scenario, I was able to identify a dead slot because one of the
> pins had either fatigued and broken off, or was possibly defective
> from the start. In that case, the user didn't really noticed that
> they were only getting half of their memory other than generally poor
> performance.
Derek Turner <frderek@cesmail.net> wrote in news:8p5dunFau4U1
@mid.individual.net:
> On Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:11:37 -0600, Menno Hershberger wrote:
>
>
>> Any ideas?
>
> Dual-channel mode is fscked. One blue one black will not try to use dual-
> channel.
I thought about that but I see no indication in any of the specs that this
configuration uses dual channel.
Shame on you. You need to wash your fingers out with some fscking soap :-)
Menno Hershberger wrote:
> Paul <nospam@needed.com> wrote in
> news:igjudb$7c8$1@news.eternal-september.org:
>
>> Menno Hershberger wrote:
>>> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
>>> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of the
>>> two 1Gb DDR2-5300 memory sticks it would boot.
>>> There are 4 slots, 2 blue ones next to each other and 2 black ones
>>> next to the blue ones. Both chips were in the blue slots, none in the
>>> black ones. http://mewnlite.com/HPslots.jpg (if that helps).
>>> I had a new matched pair of those DDR2-5300's so I took the remaining
>>> one out and installed the new ones. No joy. After a lot of mixing and
>>> moving I finally wound up with the two original sticks but I now have
>>> one of them in a blue slot and the other in a black one and
>>> everything is working. And it sees 2 gigs as it should.
>>> I've looked the a6200n up on the HP site and several memory company
>>> sites and the most detail I can get is that there are 4 slots and
>>> they can handle up to 8 Gb (4 X 2). But I don't find anything about
>>> pairing them up. I'll run memtest on it tonight but the computer is
>>> running error free now. Plus the fact that the two new ones didn't
>>> work side by side tends to make me believe there is nothing wrong
>>> with the memory. The owner claims he's never had the cover off.
>>> I'll probably just let him take it as is and see what happens, but
>>> something is weird.
>>> Any ideas?
>>>
>> The a6200n uses an AM2 based motherboard. So that tosses some
>> theories out the window. Memory population should be flexible.
>> As Grinder suggests, it could be a bad slot. AM2 has the
>> memory controller on the processor itself, so a damaged
>> processor is also a possibility, in terms of tracing
>> where the fault lies. Or a broken pin in the memory slot.
>>
>> "Motherboard Specifications, MCP61PM-HM (Nettle2)"
>> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...7676&tmp_task=
>> prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&site=null&key= null&product=3548643#
>> N94
>>
>> ( http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...tmp_rule=33891
>> &tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&prod uct=3548643&key=null&
>> site=null )
>>
>> Retest the original DIMMs. Start with slot #1. Test with the
>> first DIMM, then test with the second DIMM. Record whether
>> the thing works or not. Next, move to slot #2. Test the DIMMs
>> one at a time again. Perhaps with a little testing, you can
>> figure out which DIMM always fails or which slot fails, and
>> so on.
>
> Did that using slots #3 and #4. The picture of the motherboard you posted
> a link to shows the blue ones as being 3 and 4. Neither chip fails in
> either slot as long as they're run seperately.
>
>> Say that one of the DIMMs work, and only in slot #2. Now,
>> install the new DIMMs into slot #3 and slot #4 (ignoring
>> broken slot #1 say). Do all three slots work ? Is the total
>> detected memory correct ?
>
> The blue slots are #3 & #4. Either one of the original modules will work
> in either slot alone. Each of them registers as 1 GB in BIOS & Windows.
> The OS is Vista (my apologies for cross posting to the XP group)
> 32 bit Vista runs intolerably slow with only 1 GB of memory .
> If I put both of them back in 3 & 4, the computer won't boot.
> If I put one of them in slot 2 (black) and one in slot 4 (blue) then it
> boots fine and registers 2GB. Windows also runs reasonably well with 2GB
> even if it *is* Vista. :-)
>
>> Are the new memories 2x1GB DDR2-5300 that you bought ?
>> I would think, even if the modules were single sided and
>> used 128Mx8 chips (for a total of 1GB per DIMM), it should
>> still work. As far as I know, the AM2 is pretty tolerant of
>> density issues, unlike other chipset controllers.
>
> Except for brand name, the specs on the modules are the same:
> New ones are Samsung 1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300U-555-12-E3
> Old ones are Hynix 1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300U-555-12 (without the E3)
>
> I'm currently running memtest with the modules in slots 2 & 4. It just
> completed 1 pass with no errors. I ran his up to date Trend Micro
> antivirus on it earlier. It took almost 2 hours to complete but it found
> nothing. Actually I ran it twice. The power settings were set for sleep
> at 2 hours and that it did. Nothing I tried would bring it out of it so I
> held the button in till it died, rebooted, changed that setting to
> "never" and ran the AV again since I never really saw the results the
> first time..
>
> The only thing I *haven't* tried is running them both in slots 1 and 2.
> I'll sleep a couple more hours while memtest is running and then try
> that.
>
> Thanks. I'll keep you posted.
>
OK, if either blue slot can run with either DIMM alone (four test cases),
that makes it sound like the RAM is OK. And other than verifying the
select signals on the black slots, they probably work too.
About the only other thing I can think of, is the single phase Vdimm
switching power converter has become weak. On one of my motherboards, I
did extensive power measurements as a function of DIMM config,
and dual channel might have sucked down an extra ampere of current or so.
The toroid to the right of the DIMM slots, might be part of the power
converter. There are also two electrolytic caps, and you'd check the
tops of those for bulging or swelling. If it's a leaking cap problem,
that might be why it's become weak.
That's about the only thing that comes to mind. I would have expected
Vista to work with 2GB installed.
You said you're going to snooze, while your current test is running. When
you wake up, I suggest swapping the two DIMMs for one another, and testing
again using the same two slots. I know this is a single channel configuration.
Memtest86+ can't test the bottom one megabyte of memory, and by swapping
the DIMMs, and running a quick test again, you would complete your test
coverage. That's the purpose of swapping, and running a quick test again.
(If you're in a hurry, just run Test #5, using the menu to advance
the test number.)
But that doesn't really shed any light on the problem.
Neither is it helping explain, why the new DIMMs don't work.
Paul <nospam@needed.com> wrote in
news:igk7i2$5ds$1@news.eternal-september.org:
> Menno Hershberger wrote:
>> Paul <nospam@needed.com> wrote in
>> news:igjudb$7c8$1@news.eternal-september.org:
>>
>>> Menno Hershberger wrote:
>>>> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
>>>> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of the
>>>> two 1Gb DDR2-5300 memory sticks it would boot.
>>>> There are 4 slots, 2 blue ones next to each other and 2 black ones
>>>> next to the blue ones. Both chips were in the blue slots, none in
>>>> the black ones. http://mewnlite.com/HPslots.jpg (if that helps).
>>>> I had a new matched pair of those DDR2-5300's so I took the
>>>> remaining one out and installed the new ones. No joy. After a lot
>>>> of mixing and moving I finally wound up with the two original
>>>> sticks but I now have one of them in a blue slot and the other in a
>>>> black one and everything is working. And it sees 2 gigs as it
>>>> should. I've looked the a6200n up on the HP site and several memory
>>>> company sites and the most detail I can get is that there are 4
>>>> slots and they can handle up to 8 Gb (4 X 2). But I don't find
>>>> anything about pairing them up. I'll run memtest on it tonight but
>>>> the computer is running error free now. Plus the fact that the two
>>>> new ones didn't work side by side tends to make me believe there is
>>>> nothing wrong with the memory. The owner claims he's never had the
>>>> cover off. I'll probably just let him take it as is and see what
>>>> happens, but something is weird.
>>>> Any ideas?
>>>>
>>> The a6200n uses an AM2 based motherboard. So that tosses some
>>> theories out the window. Memory population should be flexible.
>>> As Grinder suggests, it could be a bad slot. AM2 has the
>>> memory controller on the processor itself, so a damaged
>>> processor is also a possibility, in terms of tracing
>>> where the fault lies. Or a broken pin in the memory slot.
>>>
>>> "Motherboard Specifications, MCP61PM-HM (Nettle2)"
>>> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...077676&tmp_tas
>>> k=
>>> prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&site=null&key= null&product=354864
>>> 3# N94
>>>
>>> ( http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...y?tmp_rule=338
>>> 91
>>> &tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&prod uct=3548643&key=nul
>>> l& site=null )
>>>
>>> Retest the original DIMMs. Start with slot #1. Test with the
>>> first DIMM, then test with the second DIMM. Record whether
>>> the thing works or not. Next, move to slot #2. Test the DIMMs
>>> one at a time again. Perhaps with a little testing, you can
>>> figure out which DIMM always fails or which slot fails, and
>>> so on.
>>
>> Did that using slots #3 and #4. The picture of the motherboard you
>> posted a link to shows the blue ones as being 3 and 4. Neither chip
>> fails in either slot as long as they're run seperately.
>>
>>> Say that one of the DIMMs work, and only in slot #2. Now,
>>> install the new DIMMs into slot #3 and slot #4 (ignoring
>>> broken slot #1 say). Do all three slots work ? Is the total
>>> detected memory correct ?
>>
>> The blue slots are #3 & #4. Either one of the original modules will
>> work in either slot alone. Each of them registers as 1 GB in BIOS &
>> Windows. The OS is Vista (my apologies for cross posting to the XP
>> group) 32 bit Vista runs intolerably slow with only 1 GB of memory .
>> If I put both of them back in 3 & 4, the computer won't boot.
>> If I put one of them in slot 2 (black) and one in slot 4 (blue) then
>> it boots fine and registers 2GB. Windows also runs reasonably well
>> with 2GB even if it *is* Vista. :-)
>>
>>> Are the new memories 2x1GB DDR2-5300 that you bought ?
>>> I would think, even if the modules were single sided and
>>> used 128Mx8 chips (for a total of 1GB per DIMM), it should
>>> still work. As far as I know, the AM2 is pretty tolerant of
>>> density issues, unlike other chipset controllers.
>>
>> Except for brand name, the specs on the modules are the same:
>> New ones are Samsung 1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300U-555-12-E3
>> Old ones are Hynix 1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300U-555-12 (without the E3)
>>
>> I'm currently running memtest with the modules in slots 2 & 4. It
>> just completed 1 pass with no errors. I ran his up to date Trend
>> Micro antivirus on it earlier. It took almost 2 hours to complete but
>> it found nothing. Actually I ran it twice. The power settings were
>> set for sleep at 2 hours and that it did. Nothing I tried would bring
>> it out of it so I held the button in till it died, rebooted, changed
>> that setting to "never" and ran the AV again since I never really saw
>> the results the first time..
>>
>> The only thing I *haven't* tried is running them both in slots 1 and
>> 2. I'll sleep a couple more hours while memtest is running and then
>> try that.
>>
>> Thanks. I'll keep you posted.
>>
>
> OK, if either blue slot can run with either DIMM alone (four test
> cases), that makes it sound like the RAM is OK. And other than
> verifying the select signals on the black slots, they probably work
> too.
>
> About the only other thing I can think of, is the single phase Vdimm
> switching power converter has become weak. On one of my motherboards,
> I did extensive power measurements as a function of DIMM config,
> and dual channel might have sucked down an extra ampere of current or
> so.
>
> The toroid to the right of the DIMM slots, might be part of the power
> converter. There are also two electrolytic caps, and you'd check the
> tops of those for bulging or swelling. If it's a leaking cap problem,
> that might be why it's become weak.
>
> That's about the only thing that comes to mind. I would have expected
> Vista to work with 2GB installed.
>
> You said you're going to snooze, while your current test is running.
> When you wake up, I suggest swapping the two DIMMs for one another,
> and testing again using the same two slots. I know this is a single
> channel configuration. Memtest86+ can't test the bottom one megabyte
> of memory, and by swapping the DIMMs, and running a quick test again,
> you would complete your test coverage. That's the purpose of swapping,
> and running a quick test again. (If you're in a hurry, just run Test
> #5, using the menu to advance the test number.)
>
> But that doesn't really shed any light on the problem.
>
> Neither is it helping explain, why the new DIMMs don't work.
I will reverse them and let it make at least a pass but then I need to
zip it up because the guy is coming after it.
Thanks for all your input. Notice on that screen that it is only showing
1919Mb. Is this what you're referring to about the bottom one megabyte
not being tested?
Menno Hershberger <mhersh22@nosuchplace.net> wrote in
news:Xns9E6B9DDD9BDB9butter@wefb973cbe498:
> Paul <nospam@needed.com> wrote in
> news:igk7i2$5ds$1@news.eternal-september.org:
>
>> Menno Hershberger wrote:
>>> Paul <nospam@needed.com> wrote in
>>> news:igjudb$7c8$1@news.eternal-september.org:
>>>
>>>> Menno Hershberger wrote:
>>>>> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
>>>>> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of
>>>>> the two 1Gb DDR2-5300 memory sticks it would boot.
>>>>> There are 4 slots, 2 blue ones next to each other and 2 black ones
>>>>> next to the blue ones. Both chips were in the blue slots, none in
>>>>> the black ones. http://mewnlite.com/HPslots.jpg (if that helps).
>>>>> I had a new matched pair of those DDR2-5300's so I took the
>>>>> remaining one out and installed the new ones. No joy. After a lot
>>>>> of mixing and moving I finally wound up with the two original
>>>>> sticks but I now have one of them in a blue slot and the other in
>>>>> a black one and everything is working. And it sees 2 gigs as it
>>>>> should. I've looked the a6200n up on the HP site and several
>>>>> memory company sites and the most detail I can get is that there
>>>>> are 4 slots and they can handle up to 8 Gb (4 X 2). But I don't
>>>>> find anything about pairing them up. I'll run memtest on it
>>>>> tonight but the computer is running error free now. Plus the fact
>>>>> that the two new ones didn't work side by side tends to make me
>>>>> believe there is nothing wrong with the memory. The owner claims
>>>>> he's never had the cover off. I'll probably just let him take it
>>>>> as is and see what happens, but something is weird.
>>>>> Any ideas?
>>>>>
>>>> The a6200n uses an AM2 based motherboard. So that tosses some
>>>> theories out the window. Memory population should be flexible.
>>>> As Grinder suggests, it could be a bad slot. AM2 has the
>>>> memory controller on the processor itself, so a damaged
>>>> processor is also a possibility, in terms of tracing
>>>> where the fault lies. Or a broken pin in the memory slot.
>>>>
>>>> "Motherboard Specifications, MCP61PM-HM (Nettle2)"
>>>> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...1077676&tmp_ta
>>>> s k=
>>>> prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&site=null&key= null&product=35486
>>>> 4 3# N94
>>>>
>>>> ( http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...ry?tmp_rule=33
>>>> 8 91
>>>> &tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&prod uct=3548643&key=nu
>>>> l l& site=null )
>>>>
>>>> Retest the original DIMMs. Start with slot #1. Test with the
>>>> first DIMM, then test with the second DIMM. Record whether
>>>> the thing works or not. Next, move to slot #2. Test the DIMMs
>>>> one at a time again. Perhaps with a little testing, you can
>>>> figure out which DIMM always fails or which slot fails, and
>>>> so on.
>>>
>>> Did that using slots #3 and #4. The picture of the motherboard you
>>> posted a link to shows the blue ones as being 3 and 4. Neither chip
>>> fails in either slot as long as they're run seperately.
>>>
>>>> Say that one of the DIMMs work, and only in slot #2. Now,
>>>> install the new DIMMs into slot #3 and slot #4 (ignoring
>>>> broken slot #1 say). Do all three slots work ? Is the total
>>>> detected memory correct ?
>>>
>>> The blue slots are #3 & #4. Either one of the original modules will
>>> work in either slot alone. Each of them registers as 1 GB in BIOS &
>>> Windows. The OS is Vista (my apologies for cross posting to the XP
>>> group) 32 bit Vista runs intolerably slow with only 1 GB of memory .
>>> If I put both of them back in 3 & 4, the computer won't boot.
>>> If I put one of them in slot 2 (black) and one in slot 4 (blue) then
>>> it boots fine and registers 2GB. Windows also runs reasonably well
>>> with 2GB even if it *is* Vista. :-)
>>>
>>>> Are the new memories 2x1GB DDR2-5300 that you bought ?
>>>> I would think, even if the modules were single sided and
>>>> used 128Mx8 chips (for a total of 1GB per DIMM), it should
>>>> still work. As far as I know, the AM2 is pretty tolerant of
>>>> density issues, unlike other chipset controllers.
>>>
>>> Except for brand name, the specs on the modules are the same:
>>> New ones are Samsung 1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300U-555-12-E3
>>> Old ones are Hynix 1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300U-555-12 (without the E3)
>>>
>>> I'm currently running memtest with the modules in slots 2 & 4. It
>>> just completed 1 pass with no errors. I ran his up to date Trend
>>> Micro antivirus on it earlier. It took almost 2 hours to complete
>>> but it found nothing. Actually I ran it twice. The power settings
>>> were set for sleep at 2 hours and that it did. Nothing I tried would
>>> bring it out of it so I held the button in till it died, rebooted,
>>> changed that setting to "never" and ran the AV again since I never
>>> really saw the results the first time..
>>>
>>> The only thing I *haven't* tried is running them both in slots 1 and
>>> 2. I'll sleep a couple more hours while memtest is running and then
>>> try that.
>>>
>>> Thanks. I'll keep you posted.
>>>
>>
>> OK, if either blue slot can run with either DIMM alone (four test
>> cases), that makes it sound like the RAM is OK. And other than
>> verifying the select signals on the black slots, they probably work
>> too.
>>
>> About the only other thing I can think of, is the single phase Vdimm
>> switching power converter has become weak. On one of my motherboards,
>> I did extensive power measurements as a function of DIMM config,
>> and dual channel might have sucked down an extra ampere of current or
>> so.
>>
>> The toroid to the right of the DIMM slots, might be part of the power
>> converter. There are also two electrolytic caps, and you'd check the
>> tops of those for bulging or swelling. If it's a leaking cap problem,
>> that might be why it's become weak.
>>
>> That's about the only thing that comes to mind. I would have expected
>> Vista to work with 2GB installed.
>>
>> You said you're going to snooze, while your current test is running.
>> When you wake up, I suggest swapping the two DIMMs for one another,
>> and testing again using the same two slots. I know this is a single
>> channel configuration. Memtest86+ can't test the bottom one megabyte
>> of memory, and by swapping the DIMMs, and running a quick test again,
>> you would complete your test coverage. That's the purpose of
>> swapping, and running a quick test again. (If you're in a hurry, just
>> run Test #5, using the menu to advance the test number.)
>>
>> But that doesn't really shed any light on the problem.
>>
>> Neither is it helping explain, why the new DIMMs don't work.
>
> Here's what memtest is showing after 17 passes
> http://mewnlite.com/mtest.jpg
>
> I will reverse them and let it make at least a pass but then I need to
> zip it up because the guy is coming after it.
>
> Thanks for all your input. Notice on that screen that it is only
> showing 1919Mb. Is this what you're referring to about the bottom one
> megabyte not being tested?
OK, I made two passes with them reversed - no errors.
And lastly, I tried both sticks in the two black slots. It wouldn't boot
up. I also tried putting in the new memory in addition to to the
original, filling all 4 slots. That didn't work either.
Although it is currently working, I'll advise the owner to expect more
trouble. If it was mine, I'd be looking for a new one in the near
future.
On 1/11/2011 9:11 PM, Menno Hershberger wrote:
> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of the two 1Gb
snip....
> Any ideas?
>
On the off chance that the memory sticks are 'matched' only under some
circumstances, have you reset the machine's CMOS and gone back to totally
default settings? If the memory voltage or timing got diddled accidentally
the sticks might be responding differently than they should and from each
other. This would be of no major concern if they are running individually
or in different channels, but when running dual-channel timing can become
iffy and prevent booting and if it does boot it can be very unstable.
I had this problem with my Q6600 HTPC which proved to be _very_ sensitive
to what sort of memory it would run in dual-channel. Mine would boot and
run but crashed for no discernible reason until I tried the third set of
matched sticks. Top-range Crucial memory sets failed but a cheap no-name
set from Newegg has been running perfectly for year now.
John McGaw <Nobody@Nowh.ere> wrote in
news:NjsXo.134905$UC6.107613@en-nntp-08.dc1.easynews.com:
> On 1/11/2011 9:11 PM, Menno Hershberger wrote:
>> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
>> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of the
>> two 1Gb
> snip....
>> Any ideas?
>>
>
> On the off chance that the memory sticks are 'matched' only under some
> circumstances, have you reset the machine's CMOS and gone back to
> totally default settings? If the memory voltage or timing got diddled
> accidentally the sticks might be responding differently than they
> should and from each other. This would be of no major concern if they
> are running individually or in different channels, but when running
> dual-channel timing can become iffy and prevent booting and if it does
> boot it can be very unstable.
>
> I had this problem with my Q6600 HTPC which proved to be _very_
> sensitive to what sort of memory it would run in dual-channel. Mine
> would boot and run but crashed for no discernible reason until I tried
> the third set of matched sticks. Top-range Crucial memory sets failed
> but a cheap no-name set from Newegg has been running perfectly for
> year now.
Well, the guy hasn't come to pick it up yet so I may just try that.
Especially since I did notice (but never mentioned) that the time and date
on the thing was January 2007. I reset it to the proper time. It's really
not old enough for the battery to be dead. Maybe something *did* happen to
the CMOS. I've got a battery on hand. I think I'll replace it and reset it
as you suggest and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion!
Menno Hershberger wrote:
> Menno Hershberger <mhersh22@nosuchplace.net> wrote in
> news:Xns9E6B9DDD9BDB9butter@wefb973cbe498:
>
>> Paul <nospam@needed.com> wrote in
>> news:igk7i2$5ds$1@news.eternal-september.org:
>>
>>> Menno Hershberger wrote:
>>>> Paul <nospam@needed.com> wrote in
>>>> news:igjudb$7c8$1@news.eternal-september.org:
>>>>
>>>>> Menno Hershberger wrote:
>>>>>> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
>>>>>> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of
>>>>>> the two 1Gb DDR2-5300 memory sticks it would boot.
>>>>>> There are 4 slots, 2 blue ones next to each other and 2 black ones
>>>>>> next to the blue ones. Both chips were in the blue slots, none in
>>>>>> the black ones. http://mewnlite.com/HPslots.jpg (if that helps).
>>>>>> I had a new matched pair of those DDR2-5300's so I took the
>>>>>> remaining one out and installed the new ones. No joy. After a lot
>>>>>> of mixing and moving I finally wound up with the two original
>>>>>> sticks but I now have one of them in a blue slot and the other in
>>>>>> a black one and everything is working. And it sees 2 gigs as it
>>>>>> should. I've looked the a6200n up on the HP site and several
>>>>>> memory company sites and the most detail I can get is that there
>>>>>> are 4 slots and they can handle up to 8 Gb (4 X 2). But I don't
>>>>>> find anything about pairing them up. I'll run memtest on it
>>>>>> tonight but the computer is running error free now. Plus the fact
>>>>>> that the two new ones didn't work side by side tends to make me
>>>>>> believe there is nothing wrong with the memory. The owner claims
>>>>>> he's never had the cover off. I'll probably just let him take it
>>>>>> as is and see what happens, but something is weird.
>>>>>> Any ideas?
>>>>>>
>>>>> The a6200n uses an AM2 based motherboard. So that tosses some
>>>>> theories out the window. Memory population should be flexible.
>>>>> As Grinder suggests, it could be a bad slot. AM2 has the
>>>>> memory controller on the processor itself, so a damaged
>>>>> processor is also a possibility, in terms of tracing
>>>>> where the fault lies. Or a broken pin in the memory slot.
>>>>>
>>>>> "Motherboard Specifications, MCP61PM-HM (Nettle2)"
>>>>> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...1077676&tmp_ta
>>>>> s k=
>>>>> prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&site=null&key= null&product=35486
>>>>> 4 3# N94
>>>>>
>>>>> ( http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...ry?tmp_rule=33
>>>>> 8 91
>>>>> &tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&prod uct=3548643&key=nu
>>>>> l l& site=null )
>>>>>
>>>>> Retest the original DIMMs. Start with slot #1. Test with the
>>>>> first DIMM, then test with the second DIMM. Record whether
>>>>> the thing works or not. Next, move to slot #2. Test the DIMMs
>>>>> one at a time again. Perhaps with a little testing, you can
>>>>> figure out which DIMM always fails or which slot fails, and
>>>>> so on.
>>>> Did that using slots #3 and #4. The picture of the motherboard you
>>>> posted a link to shows the blue ones as being 3 and 4. Neither chip
>>>> fails in either slot as long as they're run seperately.
>>>>
>>>>> Say that one of the DIMMs work, and only in slot #2. Now,
>>>>> install the new DIMMs into slot #3 and slot #4 (ignoring
>>>>> broken slot #1 say). Do all three slots work ? Is the total
>>>>> detected memory correct ?
>>>> The blue slots are #3 & #4. Either one of the original modules will
>>>> work in either slot alone. Each of them registers as 1 GB in BIOS &
>>>> Windows. The OS is Vista (my apologies for cross posting to the XP
>>>> group) 32 bit Vista runs intolerably slow with only 1 GB of memory .
>>>> If I put both of them back in 3 & 4, the computer won't boot.
>>>> If I put one of them in slot 2 (black) and one in slot 4 (blue) then
>>>> it boots fine and registers 2GB. Windows also runs reasonably well
>>>> with 2GB even if it *is* Vista. :-)
>>>>
>>>>> Are the new memories 2x1GB DDR2-5300 that you bought ?
>>>>> I would think, even if the modules were single sided and
>>>>> used 128Mx8 chips (for a total of 1GB per DIMM), it should
>>>>> still work. As far as I know, the AM2 is pretty tolerant of
>>>>> density issues, unlike other chipset controllers.
>>>> Except for brand name, the specs on the modules are the same:
>>>> New ones are Samsung 1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300U-555-12-E3
>>>> Old ones are Hynix 1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300U-555-12 (without the E3)
>>>>
>>>> I'm currently running memtest with the modules in slots 2 & 4. It
>>>> just completed 1 pass with no errors. I ran his up to date Trend
>>>> Micro antivirus on it earlier. It took almost 2 hours to complete
>>>> but it found nothing. Actually I ran it twice. The power settings
>>>> were set for sleep at 2 hours and that it did. Nothing I tried would
>>>> bring it out of it so I held the button in till it died, rebooted,
>>>> changed that setting to "never" and ran the AV again since I never
>>>> really saw the results the first time..
>>>>
>>>> The only thing I *haven't* tried is running them both in slots 1 and
>>>> 2. I'll sleep a couple more hours while memtest is running and then
>>>> try that.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks. I'll keep you posted.
>>>>
>>> OK, if either blue slot can run with either DIMM alone (four test
>>> cases), that makes it sound like the RAM is OK. And other than
>>> verifying the select signals on the black slots, they probably work
>>> too.
>>>
>>> About the only other thing I can think of, is the single phase Vdimm
>>> switching power converter has become weak. On one of my motherboards,
>>> I did extensive power measurements as a function of DIMM config,
>>> and dual channel might have sucked down an extra ampere of current or
>>> so.
>>>
>>> The toroid to the right of the DIMM slots, might be part of the power
>>> converter. There are also two electrolytic caps, and you'd check the
>>> tops of those for bulging or swelling. If it's a leaking cap problem,
>>> that might be why it's become weak.
>>>
>>> That's about the only thing that comes to mind. I would have expected
>>> Vista to work with 2GB installed.
>>>
>>> You said you're going to snooze, while your current test is running.
>>> When you wake up, I suggest swapping the two DIMMs for one another,
>>> and testing again using the same two slots. I know this is a single
>>> channel configuration. Memtest86+ can't test the bottom one megabyte
>>> of memory, and by swapping the DIMMs, and running a quick test again,
>>> you would complete your test coverage. That's the purpose of
>>> swapping, and running a quick test again. (If you're in a hurry, just
>>> run Test #5, using the menu to advance the test number.)
>>>
>>> But that doesn't really shed any light on the problem.
>>>
>>> Neither is it helping explain, why the new DIMMs don't work.
>> Here's what memtest is showing after 17 passes
>> http://mewnlite.com/mtest.jpg
>>
>> I will reverse them and let it make at least a pass but then I need to
>> zip it up because the guy is coming after it.
>>
>> Thanks for all your input. Notice on that screen that it is only
>> showing 1919Mb. Is this what you're referring to about the bottom one
>> megabyte not being tested?
>
> OK, I made two passes with them reversed - no errors.
> And lastly, I tried both sticks in the two black slots. It wouldn't boot
> up. I also tried putting in the new memory in addition to to the
> original, filling all 4 slots. That didn't work either.
>
> Although it is currently working, I'll advise the owner to expect more
> trouble. If it was mine, I'd be looking for a new one in the near
> future.
>
The 1919 would be 2048 minus 1MB for BIOS low memory area minus 128MB
reserved for built-in graphics GPU. Some BIOS will allow the GPU
allocation to be changed, with options like 64MB or 128MB. Others,
will automatically allocate more memory for GPU, if larger sticks
are plugged in.
Athlon 64 X2 5000+ ---------- slot 1 ----- slot 3
| ---------- slot 2 ----- slot 4
|
| HT bus
|
PCI Express x16 slot --- 6150SE ------------- PCI bus slots
Built-in GPU
Single chip
Chipset
|
SATA, IDE etc
The memory slots connect directly to the processor. The GPU inside the
6150SE could cause a problem, if it is causing the system to crash
in the BIOS. But I don't see how it would influence the memory
test cases, as they're hosted by the CPU. The 6150SE can't tell
what you're doing to the DIMM slots.
You have one working single channel config (like using 1,3 or 2,4).
You could test the other single channel config.
The fact a single stick works, when used on either bus, says both
bus segments are working. When that happens, all that is left in
terms of verification, is whether individual slot selection
signals are working. A broken or dirty pin in a slot could also
affect only that slot. Your testing hasn't isolated a bad slot.
The Vdimm switching regulator, to the right of the DIMM slots, powers
the DIMMs. Extra power is drawn, when in dual channel mode. Running
sticks in 1,2 would draw 1 amp more, than running them in 1,3. The
system experiences higher performance in 1,3 for example, as the
memory bandwidth is doubled. Turning on a memory channel, increases
power consumption. I would inspect the two electrolytic caps on
the switcher to the right of the DIMM slots, for bulging or leaking.
A weak switcher, could cause a memory failure at startup (in a
dual channel mode).
The fact that the memory passes memtest, when run single channel,
and with the DIMMs swapped for one another, proves all the memory
works, so it's not "bad memory in the GPU area" or "bad memory
in the BIOS area". This is why I had you run the swapping test case,
so the DIMM would either function in the low memory area
or the high memory area and get completely tested.
Low memory High memory
----- First DIMM -------- Second DIMM DIMMs in single channel config
Low memory High memory
----- Second DIMM ------- First DIMM DIMMs in single channel config
I'm still not seeing a pattern here, to the pass/fail cases. So
far, the real mystery seems to be:
1) Won't run dual channel (Vdimm switcher issue?)
2) Did not like the new sticks, even one at a time.
John McGaw <Nobody@Nowh.ere> wrote in
news:NjsXo.134905$UC6.107613@en-nntp-08.dc1.easynews.com:
> On 1/11/2011 9:11 PM, Menno Hershberger wrote:
>> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
>> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of the
>> two 1Gb
> snip....
>> Any ideas?
>>
>
> On the off chance that the memory sticks are 'matched' only under some
> circumstances, have you reset the machine's CMOS and gone back to
> totally default settings? If the memory voltage or timing got diddled
> accidentally the sticks might be responding differently than they
> should and from each other. This would be of no major concern if they
> are running individually or in different channels, but when running
> dual-channel timing can become iffy and prevent booting and if it does
> boot it can be very unstable.
>
> I had this problem with my Q6600 HTPC which proved to be _very_
> sensitive to what sort of memory it would run in dual-channel. Mine
> would boot and run but crashed for no discernible reason until I tried
> the third set of matched sticks. Top-range Crucial memory sets failed
> but a cheap no-name set from Newegg has been running perfectly for
> year now.
I almost made it through this whole thread without screwing up my identity.
My default is "Lil' Abner" and I forgot to change it on that reply. Anyway,
I did replace the battery and cleared the CMOS (with the jumper). That put
the time back to Jan 1, 2007 again. I booted it up, shut it down, and then
moved the memory sticks together in the blue slots, but it still won't boot
up that way.
Your idea definitely gave me some hope though... :-)
Thanks again.
On Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:57:18 -0500, Li'l Abner <blvstk@dogpatch.com> wrote:
> not old enough for the battery to be dead. Maybe something *did* happen to
> the CMOS. I've got a battery on hand. I think I'll replace it and reset it
> as you suggest and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion!
Note that some motherboards require you to clear the cmos anytime you change
the memory configuration. For example, see http://www.fixya.com/support/t430354...cs_mobo_l7vmm3
Apparently it only updates the dsdt, if it's clear.
While replacing the battery, clear the cmos and then try all four sticks.
Regards, Dave Hodgins
--
Change nomail.afraid.org to ody.ca to reply by email.
(nomail.afraid.org has been set up specifically for
use in usenet. Feel free to use it yourself.)
"Menno Hershberger" <mhersh22@nosuchplace.net> wrote in message
news:Xns9E6BE487E8D79butter@wefb973cbe498...
> John McGaw <Nobody@Nowh.ere> wrote in
> news:NjsXo.134905$UC6.107613@en-nntp-08.dc1.easynews.com:
>
>> On 1/11/2011 9:11 PM, Menno Hershberger wrote:
>>> HP Pavilion a6200n won't boot up.
>>> By process of elimination I discovered that if I removed one of the
>>> two 1Gb
>> snip....
>>> Any ideas?
>>>
>>
>> On the off chance that the memory sticks are 'matched' only under some
>> circumstances, have you reset the machine's CMOS and gone back to
>> totally default settings? If the memory voltage or timing got diddled
>> accidentally the sticks might be responding differently than they
>> should and from each other. This would be of no major concern if they
>> are running individually or in different channels, but when running
>> dual-channel timing can become iffy and prevent booting and if it does
>> boot it can be very unstable.
>>
>> I had this problem with my Q6600 HTPC which proved to be _very_
>> sensitive to what sort of memory it would run in dual-channel. Mine
>> would boot and run but crashed for no discernible reason until I tried
>> the third set of matched sticks. Top-range Crucial memory sets failed
>> but a cheap no-name set from Newegg has been running perfectly for
>> year now.
>
> I almost made it through this whole thread without screwing up my
> identity.
> My default is "Lil' Abner" and I forgot to change it on that reply.
> Anyway,
> I did replace the battery and cleared the CMOS (with the jumper). That put
> the time back to Jan 1, 2007 again. I booted it up, shut it down, and then
> moved the memory sticks together in the blue slots, but it still won't
> boot
> up that way.
> Your idea definitely gave me some hope though... :-)
> Thanks again.
>
I'd take one known good ram stick and individually try each slot one at a
time
it's looks like you may very well have two bad slots.
You can either continue just using your working slots...
but if you need more RAM...then it's time for a new mobo
Re: Memory slot puzzle 
Linear Mode
