feipoa wrote on 2024-01-25, 23:41:

Has anyone been able to get 2 GB SDRAM working on a Dell Precision Workstation 620 MT ? It uses ECC registered PC100/PC133 modules. I have 2x PIII Xeon 2M 500 MHz professors.

The system beeps if I install 2 GB, but 1792 MB works, that is 512+512+512+256 MB runs fine.

Maybe it is common that 440GX boards have trouble accepting the full 2 GB?

Should be fine!...I run 2GB on my L440 GX+ board (PC133 / 4 x 512, but think 2 x 1 worked just as well when tested)

Are the 512 DIMMs all matched / which ones?

610 has supported 2GB since BIOS A02; current level is A11 - https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-uk/drive … driverid=r37748

Attached are images of the 512 MB, ECC, REG modules I tried. Both are PC133. Unfortunately for the modules on the left, SPD has CL3 encoded for PC100 speeds, while the modules on the right have CL2 encoded for PC100 speeds. Nonetheless, the set should work fine at PC100 CL3 speeds. Each module works if the total amount of memory is limited to 1792 MB.

Next, I tried 1 GB modules. I can use single 1 GB sticks, but once I install 2 GB, the system beeps as before. I tried these sticks:

The installed graphics card is a Diamond Viper V770D AGP 32 MB card. Maybe I need to have only a 1 MB graphics card for 2 GB to work? Or maybe I need to disable the onboard SCSI BIOS? Or maybe the board is very particular about which modules will work? Another idea is that there is some current limit being imposed by the onboard regulators and 2 GB is over the limit. I recall running into this problem when I tried to run 2x 700 MHz, 2M processors. It would work fine with 1, but not with the pair. Hence, my system is using 500 MHz, 2M processors. I think it can get away with 2x 550 MHz 2M, but I need to check that again.

feipoa wrote on 2024-01-26, 05:06:

Attached are images of the 512 MB, ECC, REG modules I tried. Both are PC133. Unfortunately for the modules on the left, SPD ha […]
Show full quote

Attached are images of the 512 MB, ECC, REG modules I tried. Both are PC133. Unfortunately for the modules on the left, SPD has CL3 encoded for PC100 speeds, while the modules on the right have CL2 encoded for PC100 speeds. Nonetheless, the set should work fine at PC100 CL3 speeds. Each module works if the total amount of memory is limited to 1792 MB.
512MB_ECC_REG_PC133.JPG

Next, I tried 1 GB modules. I can use single 1 GB sticks, but once I install 2 GB, the system beeps as before. I tried these sticks:
1GB_ECC_REG_PC133.JPG

The installed graphics card is a Diamond Viper V770D AGP 32 MB card. Maybe I need to have only a 1 MB graphics card for 2 GB to work? Or maybe I need to disable the onboard SCSI BIOS? Or maybe the board is very particular about which modules will work? Another idea is that there is some current limit being imposed by the onboard regulators and 2 GB is over the limit. I recall running into this problem when I tried to run 2x 700 MHz, 2M processors. It would work fine with 1, but not with the pair. Hence, my system is using 500 MHz, 2M processors. I think it can get away with 2x 550 MHz 2M, but I need to check that again.

The bare 1gig sticks used to work...is that no longer the case? - Re: Problem running 2 GB of SDRAM on a Xeon dual slot 2 440GX motherboard

Ouch, I guess my memory is turning to dust. I don't remember starting that thread, and its only 3.5 years old. It has taken this long before I got around to setting up my Dell Precision Workstation 610

According to my old thread, I need to install the unshielded modules in Slots 1 and 4. When I tested just now, I did slots 1 and 3.

feipoa wrote on 2024-01-26, 13:04:

Ouch, I guess my memory is turning to dust. I don't remember starting that thread, and its only 3.5 years old. It has taken this long before I got around to setting up my Dell Precision Workstation 610

According to my old thread, I need to install the unshielded modules in Slots 1 and 4. When I tested just now, I did slots 1 and 3.

😀 no worries; least the problem is sorted...tbh I didn't remember it either but it popped up in a google search on the topic (think we're all heading towards that inevitable 'Dallas RTC rewire'!!!)

haha, unfortunately for the brain, it is not as easy as with a Dallas RTC, that is, grinding two slots and connecting a battery.

I never really figured out why the symptoms existed as they do, but after playing with the 2 GB, it doubles the boot-up time because the Dell BIOS seems to be doing some extensive memory tests. It is very slow. Thus, I went back down to 1024 MB.

Wikipedia says It's posible to mount up to 2 GB SDR 100Mhz (or 66). However saying this they are 2 revisions of the chipset SL2TF (A0)
SL2VJ (A0) on the 82443GX-southbridge... & it can support Parity/ECC Ram... sadly nothing else is mentioned , on mac (g4)I am limited to the bios (1.5 GB SDR). so no point in putting more than you need. On newer hardware I really love the OS install setting in the bios , so you can install the os with 256 ram , it gives you a bigger variation of software & os's you can use (in new hardware).