ECC Memory

[hiredgoonz]

Anybody ever here of a mobo supporting ONLY ECC memory? This is in reference to the Gateway E5000 dual P2 system that I can't get to work after replacing the RAM...

When I check Crucial's website, it lists only PC66 ECC modules as upgrades...I know you can't mix the two, but could the board only operate with ECC?

To rehash: the system ran fine at the shop with 4 32mb modules...I didn't want to buy those, so I had the guy take em out and now the system won't run with any RAM I have...

ALL normal troubleshooting steps have been taken...to include COMPLETELY tearing the system apart...guess it's time to try some ECC...

------------------
When all else fails, read the instructions.

[ranchdog]

H.G. On an Intel P2 dual CPU board I can believe it. Initially designed and put on the market for server-workstation use and using Parity-Error Correcting Code memory doesn't surprise me. For mission-critical applications. A memory error in a calculation could cause the wrong value to go into a bank check. In a server, a memory error could force a system hang and bring down all LAN-resident client systems. ECC memory can correct single bit errors on the fly for system data reliability.
Have you been able to run down a manual for this particular Mboard? As I stated on your other post the P3 OR-840 will only accept RDRAM. Luck.

------------------
......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[hiredgoonz]

Can't find a manual for the E5000...E520, 5250, 5400 yes, but this one is different...it has onboard scsi...

I'm trying to find 4 sticks of ECC now...Sunday is not the day for that project...thanks for the replies ranchdog

------------------
When all else fails, read the instructions.

[hiredgoonz]

Ok, things aren't looking too good here...I found a manual for the DK440LX mobo (which I'm almost positive this thing has) and you can use either ecc or non-ecc and you can have 1, 2, 3, or all slots filled and it should still work...

------------------
When all else fails, read the instructions.

[ranchdog]

H.G.... From what I've been able to dig out of 12th Edition by Mueller, the chipset could be the 450KX (later replaced by the 440FX). Both are ECC supported.
The 450KX North Bridge is comprised of four individual chip components---an 82454KX PCI Bridge, an 82452KX Data Path (DP), an 82453KX Data Controller (DC), and an 82451 Memory Inerface Controller (MIC).
The 440FX has a two-chip North Bridge. The 82441FX PCI Bridge and Memory controller, and a 82442FX Data Bus accelerator for the PCI bus. This chipset uses the PIIX3 82371SB South Bridge chip. The 440FX has support for USB.
I'll dig around some more on dual-processor support. Luck.

------------------
......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[mjc]

Well, H.G. I found a couple of old reviews and it seems that unit was shipped with ECC memory, some ECC boards have either a BIOS setting or a jumper to allow the use of non-ECC memory, so there is something else to look for...

Here (http://www.gateway.com/support/techdocs/references/motherboard/index.shtml) is Gateway's MOBO page....and running through a couple of the MOBOs listed it seems that the dual processor boards do indeed only support ECC.

168-pin DIMMs with gold-plated contacts


Unbuffered SDRAM


Synchronous DRAM improves memory performance through memory access that is synchronous with the memory clock. This simplifies the timing design and increases memory speed because all timing is dependent on the number of memory clock cycles. The SDRAM should also meet the PC SDRAM Unbuffered DIMM Specification for 72-bit SDRAM.


Memory Error Checking and Correction (ECC) is a powerful feature designed to detect memory errors as they occur without interrupting system operation.

ECC memory detects multiple-bit errors, when two or more bits have failed, and corrects single-bit errors, when a single bit has failed.

66 or 100MHz SDRAM only

Processors with a 100MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) should only be used with 100MHz RAM.

Processors with a 66MHz FSB can be used with 100 or 66MHz RAM.

ECC (72-bit) memory


3.3V memory only


Single or double-sided DIMMs in the following sizes: 8,16,32,64,128, or 256 MB

(from the listing for the 440bx dual proc)
------------------
mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

Gun Control...hitting what you aim at!



[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 08-19-2001).]

[ranchdog]

O.K. after some more browsing around. The 450KX was replaced by the 440FX which was replaced by the 440LX. The 440LX was the first chip to really take full advantage of the PentII processor. It supported AGP, USB, and 66MHz SDRAM. It used a 82443LX North Bridge and a 82371AB South Bridge. FPM/EDO/SDRAM memory. Parity/ECC. Hang in There.

------------------
......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[hiredgoonz]

I REALLY appreciate all that research...I went out and got Mueller's today mostly to figure this out after spending hours scouring Gateway's site (which sucks)...tomorrow I go back to the shop and try the memory he had in it to begin with...if it works, I guess I know the problem http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks again, you've been a lot of help...

------------------
When all else fails, read the instructions.

[hiredgoonz]

Well, I was all set to declare ECC memory the answer to my prayers when I talked to the guy I got the system from and he said it doesn't have ECC, but that these computers are "picky"

I was skeptical, after all, I had tried 2 128mb sticks of PC133, 3 128mb sticks of PC100, 1 32 mb stick of PC100, and 2 64mb sticks of PC100 in every combination I could think of (all of this memory was acquired at different times over the last 3 years)...

So I took it to his shop expecting to be right about the ECC and it turns out it wasn't ECC at all, just different, apparently magical RAM...it works fine with a 128mb and 2 32mb sticks...not all of the ram he had would work, but after getting it to run with 192mb, I was happy and now I'm typing this on my "new" dual P2 266 w/192mb of magic ram...

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

------------------
When all else fails, read the instructions.

[ranchdog]

Sheesh..... And who said there wasn't a Tooth-Fairy?
This is unreal. I don't know whether to scratch my head or wind my watch.

------------------
......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 08-22-2001).]

[hiredgoonz]

I'm still confused about this...I have NO explanation, nor can I find one...all I know is that some Ram works and some doesn't...but I now refer to the guy who sold me the computer as "Magic Mike"

And still unable to find a manual for this specific board (I found one that looks identical for an Intel board, but I don't know what gateway might have changed) I may never have an answer...

------------------
When all else fails, read the instructions.