IBM-AUSTRIA - PC-HW-Support    30 Aug 1999

NETFINITY 5500: with 256MB REGISTER SDRAM

    Record number:       H164409
    Device:              D/T8660
    Model:               M
    Hit count:           UHC00000
    Success count:       USC0000
    Publication code:    PC50
    Tip key:
    Date created:        O98/09/14
    Date last altered:   A98/09/25
    Owning B.U.:         USA

Abstract: NETFINITY 5500: with 256MB REGISTER SDRAM

SYMPTOM:

Netfinity 5500 intermittent memory failure during POST (Power On Self-Test). Depending on memory configuration, the failure occurs with various symptoms:

•  A POST 1-3-1 error beeps, with no video on the display.
•  POST Memory Size or Memory Count error.

PROBLEM ISOLATION AIDS:

•  The system is a Netfinity 5500 server Type 8660, all models.
•  The system has one or more 256MB Register SDRAM, FRU 01K7391  (Option P/N 01K8043.)
•  One of the 256MB memory DIMMs is in the J1 memory slot, which  locates furthest away from the processor, and the barcode  label contains Header Code "J1542".
•  The failure occurs only in Cold Boot (removing power). Warm  boot (Pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del keys) does not have a problem.
•  All memory in the system is IBM Qualified and Supported.

FIX:

1.  As a workaround, place the DIMM with Header Code J1542 to a  memory slot other than J1. Or,
2.  For a permanent fix, upgrade system BIOS to BIOS Level 3.  The BIOS is available in the following IBM website with  filename 36L9816.EXE:

   http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/files.html

    To download:

   •  Select "Search"
   •  Type the filename (36L9816.EXE) in the "Keywords" box
   •  Select "Search"
   •  Select the file to download.

    The files are self-extracting executable files that will  prompt for a diskette.

    The corresponding Text files are viewable and may be printed.

3.  Do not replace the DIMM, unless a solid memory failure is  detected outside the scope of this Tip.

NOTE: 256MB DIMMs with any other header codes are not suspect.

Diagram A: SAMPLE 256 MB MEMORY DIMM with IBM Label:

  ___________________________________________________________
  * _________________________________________________________ *
  * ü                               ______________________  ü *
  * ü                               ü                    ü  ü *
  * ü Metal shield                  ü   Barcode  Label   ü  ü<---
  * ü                               ü____________________ü  ü *  ü
  O ü                                  ___                  ü O  ü
  * ü                                  ü ü                  ü *  ü
  * ü__________________________________ü ü__________________ü *  ü
  *                                                           *  ü
  *__*********O*********O***********************************__*  ü
                                                                 ü
                         _____________ Header code J1542         ü
                      __*__            (total of 22 char.)       ü
         ______________________________________________          ü
        *  ************************ <--Barcode         *         ü
        *  xxxxxxxxxxxJ1542xxxxxx    Fru: 01K7391      *         ü
        *        256MB 6NS 32Mx72    3.3V              *<--------ü
        * ___ ___                                      * IBM Label
        *  *  *  * *\/*                                *
        *  *  *--* *  *  OPT:01K8043      HIT  xxx     *
        * _*_ *__* *  *                                *
        *______________________________________________*

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