On a Dell Precision desktop T3500 with Windows XP Professional 64-bit installed, the operating system was consistently receiving BSOD screens (actual BSOD, as in a hard stop and not a general page fault). When I ran the Dell hardware tests, the memory came back as bad. It currently has 4-1GB DDR3 1333 DIMMs installed.
I researched the type of memory that the system would support, and purchased 3-4GB DDR3 1333 ECC memory as an upgrade. When I installed the memory, I received a beep code of 1-3-2. According to the Dell website, that is a memory error. Thinking I may have for some reason ordered the wrong memory, I put the old memory back in. Once again, I heard the beep code, same error.
I contacted Dell Tech Support, and they had me run through the motions of troubleshooting (take all memory out but one, try each slot, insert one at a time). Eventually they determined that it was not the memory but the systemboard. So according to our service agreement, I had them send a tech out to replace it on site.
Next day, the tech came, replaced the system board. Tried the new memory, received the same error, 1-3-2 beep code. He called tech support, went through the same thing I did. Mysteriously, however, when he put a single 1GB DIMM in, he received the beep code. He then hit the power button accidentally twice (double-tap) which shut power off and turn back on-It then worked. It went through POST and gave the message of system memory size has changed. So he added a second 1 GB DIMM, and same thing, beep code, power off, power on, and it boots but it gives an error stating an error on DIMM2. So he takes that DIMM out and replaces it with the third 1GB DIMM. Same issue, error on DIMM2. He then ignored that, added a third, same thing, beep code, double-tap, it works but returns an error stating that there is a memory problem on DIMM3. So he powers off, powers on and the memory error disappears. He then powers off, puts in the fourth 1GB stick, and same thing, beep code, power off, power on, error on DIMM3, power off, power on, error disappears. It now works as it did before, with the random BSOD.
It’s a brand new system board, same CPU, the old memory (obviously, since the new memory always returns the beep code), same video card, same power supply. Nothing else has changed other than memory, and all tests were done with minimal hardware attached (monitor, kb/mouse, no HDD)
Anyone have any clue what might cause this? In 4 years of professional IT support, and 15 years as a hobby, I have never seen anything like this. Any help or advice would be most appreciated.
(edited to clarify subject)