[fd2000]

I have a Dell Precision 390 , 3 1gb ram modules that work only if installed 1 at the time. Installing 2 or 3 gives memory error. reset the bios, no bad capacitors. All 3 modules work fine. Bios is up to date. Any ideas ?

 

[greenbrucelee]

Some OEM systems have RAM that only work in certain combinations or RAM that only works in certain slots.

Some compatible RAM may only work in singles. usually if installing in pairs it would be slot 1 & 3 or 2 & 4.

Do you know if this is fully compatible?

 

[fd2000]

Some OEM systems have RAM that only work in certain combinations or RAM that only works in certain slots.

Some compatible RAM may only work in singles. usually if installing in pairs it would be slot 1 & 3 or 2 & 4.

Do you know if this is fully compatible?

Ram is compatible, used to work before. Just stopped working

 

[Bill_Bright]

Ram is compatible, used to work before. Just stopped working

So to clarify all 3 of these same sticks used to work in this computer when installed together, and now they don't (except one at a time). Is that right? If so, that is odd and sadly, points to the motherboard and not the RAM.

Did you install or swap out any other hardware recently?

I always like to ensure I am feeding my computers good, clean, power so I like to swap in a known good power supply when testing potential hardware issues.

Have you tried inserting just one stick in different slots?

 

[greenbrucelee]

yes I agree with Bill that would mean your motherboard has issues and there is probably nothing you can do about it.

Dell are unfortunately prone to motherboard issues.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Dell are unfortunately prone to motherboard issues.

Which is sad since many of their boards are OEM boards made by ASUS, which has a reputation for reliable boards, even in their entry level lines. This suggests, and I have no reason to doubt otherwise, that Dell has modified the boards to make them proprietary, lowering the quality/reliability in the process to shave a few pennies off the cost of each board.

 

[Old Rich]

Dell got hit really hard by the Bad Capacitor plague, a while back, but so did other brands. I have seen no noticeable difference between Dell and other manufacturer motherboard quality

 

[Bill_Bright]

Dell got hit really hard by the Bad Capacitor plague, a while back, but so did other brands.

Very true. So did my favorite brand, Gigabyte. But Gigabyte became my favorite brand because when I had a 4 year old motherboard that developed leaky caps, they replaced it free - including shipping both ways - even though it was a full year out of warranty. Dell would never do that.

 

[Corday]

Saw similar Workstations on EBay as cheap as a new MOBO for the Dell Precision 390.

 

[greenbrucelee]

It's always down to the OEM proprietary parts than the full versions not messed with versions and saving cash whilst charging top dollar for either. I remember when I got my first PC 22 years ago if you filled all of the dimm slots there would be voltage problems but if you bought the non proprietary version of the mobo there wouldn't.