Scrapyard Server; random RAM/mobo issues.

[Svardskampe]

So I'm scrapping a server together from old parts. I took over a CPU/mobo/RAM/case/PSU for 60 bucks. Unfortunately the mobo is a mini-ATX and only has 2 dimmslots (as for the problem; why not use that mobo?), and a poweredge 840 dell server. Weeks ago I had it working just like I wanted to in all the hardware, except for the cooler. Now, all hassle done, I've found a fitting CPU cooler, works, and then all of a sudden I run into the following problem:

 

For the story, I have 2 sets of ram; 2x2GB OCZ (from the $60 build), and the 2x1GB originally in the Dell build.

 

- Saturday to sunday afternoon, nothing was working anymore. I've broken that problem down to 1 of the OCZ rams not working anymore all of a sudden. I can't even memtest it, the $60 system just freezes up instantly at bootscreen, or even before, just stays black with that thing in. The other 2GB OCZ stick is memtested and fine.

 

- In the Dell motherboard the 2x1GB ram work fine in slot 1 and 3. But when I put them in slot 2 and 4, I get a visual error on screen "mismatched ram", and it doesn't go further. When I test with 1 of those 1GB rams in any slot, including the problematic 2 and 4, it works fine.

 

- When I add the OCZ 2gb ram, the working one, it gives a 1-3-2 beep error, meaning "no memory found". This is with the OCZ added in slot 2 or 4, along with the Dell-ram, or alone. Any configuration with OCZ apparantly ends up in this error.

 

I'm out of ideas. It was all working fiiiiine weeks ago. Now I wanted to continue and it all ends in tears and loose components strewn across my room. What would be the best course of action?

[surtursrevenge]

 

- In the Dell motherboard the 2x1GB ram work fine in slot 1 and 3. But when I put them in slot 2 and 4, I get a visual error on screen "mismatched ram", and it doesn't go further. When I test with 1 of those 1GB rams in any slot, including the problematic 2 and 4, it works fine.

This is because Servers normaly have ECC (sometimes even full buffered) RAM. Because of this ECC each ram pair must be placed correctly in a specific order ..

THIS IS VERY Important.. ( -> you get RAM Mismatching)

 

I got a Server where i had to Put RAM Sticks in like this 1,3 6,8

You need to check the mobo manual to figure out, where you need to put the RAM.

 

 

 

- When I add the OCZ 2gb ram, the working one, it gives a 1-3-2 beep error, meaning "no memory found". This is with the OCZ added in slot 2 or 4, along with the Dell-ram, or alone. Any configuration with OCZ apparantly ends up in this error.

 

This happens because the OCZ RAM is consumer grade RAM and doesn't feature ECC or ECC Full Buffered.

 

Nearly every server board requieres ECC oder ECC Full Buffered RAM, so "normal" RAM is not campatible !!

There are a few serverboards supporting "normal" RAM, but this is not standart.

 

You also need to check the manual wich RAM the serverboard will support.

[Svardskampe]

This is because Servers normaly have ECC (sometimes even full buffered) RAM. Because of this ECC each ram pair must be placed correctly in a specific order ..

THIS IS VERY Important.. ( -> you get RAM Mismatching)

 

I got a Server where i had to Put RAM Sticks in like this 1,3 6,8

You need to check the mobo manual to figure out, where you need to put the RAM.

 

It just features 4 DIMM slots, color coded one after another, it's just like any other motherboard. The paired banks are 1 and 3, 2 and 4. It's the same set that works fine in 1 and 3 that gives the mismatching error in 2 and 4...

 

This happens because the OCZ RAM is consumer grade RAM and doesn't feature ECC or ECC Full Buffered.

 

Nearly every server board requieres ECC oder ECC Full Buffered RAM, so "normal" RAM is not campatible !!

There are a few serverboards supporting "normal" RAM, but this is not standart.

 

You also need to check the manual wich RAM the serverboard will support.

But it worked JUST FINE a couple of weeks before! I had it running and all with Ubuntu LTS with 6GB.