Is non-ECC going to cause big problems?

[bluepaint]

Upgrading an "old" IBM workstation that takes 168 pin, PC66 SDRAMs. It's unclear to me if I use non-ECC memory in the system what will happen. To quote the options manual of the model LINE:

"You can mix SDRAM nonpariy modules and SDRAM ECC modules, the will confure as nonparity...Install only SDRAM ECC modules to enable ECC."

That _sounds_ like it's clear, BUT the technical manual to that specific model states:

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"Must be 64-bit wide or 72-bit wide ECC SDRAMS...
must be 168-pin, unbuffered, +3V, serial PD type...
must have gold-lead tabs...

ALSO note the following:
64-bit wide and 72-bity wide modules and ECC modules can be mixed, but they will configure as 64-bit wide...
to enable ECC, all installed memory must be of the ECC type...
IBM EDO-mode DIMMS are supported in full EDO configurations only"
************

So my questions are

1) if I replace all the existing ECC memory (all 64M...!) and put in all non-ECC memory, is the machine going to blow up, do just fine or maybe have errors? If it errors, can I recover (assuming no other bad thing happens and I've done a complete backup) by replacing with the old ECC memory?

2) is "gold-lead" really required? I'm not using this as a server, btw.

3) I don't know if it's 8x8 or where I get that information from for purchasing memory?

Many thanks!

[Rick]

Bluepaint.
If you install NON ecc memory all you need to do is configure the system as ALL NON ECC
If should have little or no effect on the system and should cause no errors.
If you mix ecc and non and the bios is set to check for ecc it will report the non ecc as an error.
The Bios should be the only place you need to make the ecc settings change.

To answer your question about using gold contacts.
It is recommended to use gold on gold and tin on tin.
If you use tin on gold you will eventually get corrosion at the contacts .
Causing Memory read/write errors.

A Good place to check for the correct memory is at the Crucial memory web site. http://www.crucial.com/

Have your make and model info handy and the selector will guide you to the memory for that system.
Their memory is some of the Highest quality and the Prices aren't bad.

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To ERR is HUMAN
To REALLY screw things UP, YOU NEED a COMPUTER !

[iisbob]

ECC is just short for basicly " error correction and checking", if you're going to continue to run this as a server i would recommend it, if not then just go with the non-ecc, standard desktops don't really need that particular function.

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iisbob
"Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run."