Dell Vostro 3400 NOT Working with F3-10666CL9D-8GBSQ

[rogriverac]

Hi,

I bought the F3-10666CL9D-8GBSQ (DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)) from an online retailer and the computer started with clicking noises on boot up, blue screen errors all the time with any app running, icons on desktop permanently flickering, not able to open folders on Windows Explorer, freezing, erratic behavior all over the OS (Windows 7 x64 Ultimate), and impossibility to use the system all around.

I tried the modules one by one and they work separately but not when I put them together. I also updated to laptop BIOS to v.A10 with no positive result at all. As a matter of fact, it was hard to get the machine acting correctly after several clean installs of Windows. It was like some cache saved the bad configuration or corruption on the BIOS.

As soon as I went back to the factory Hynix HMT325S6BFR8C-H9 (2x2GB) all went back to normal. I am now wondering if I should request a replacement or just a refund, since I don't know if the replacement will act the same.

I would appreciate technical comments from G.Skill specialist on this issue.

Thanks

Dell Vostro 3400
Intel HM57 chipset
Intel Core i5 460M CPU
Hynix HMT325S6BFR8C-H9 (2x2GB) factory RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 310M (512 MB) Video
Seagate Momentus XT ST95005620AS HDD

[Tradesman]

GSkill should be in Monday, but if you can post your BIOS settings I'll try and help, if the BIOS allows it. Dell can be funny with that, though I saw they show their upgrade DRAM as 10600. DDR3 1333 tends to come in 3 flavors 10600, 10660, and 10666, the different manufacturers all do their own thing with their sticks but generally , from what I've seen the 10600 is low end (budget), 10660 is a little better and the 10666 is the best of the available 1333. Not really sure how the Dell will run with it as laptop BIOS settings and voltage adjustments are somewhat limited since you are looking at running off a battery

[rogriverac]

Sure, is this what you asked for ? . If is something diff, please, let me know.

--------[ SPD ]---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ DIMM1: Hynix HMT325S6BFR8C-H9 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name Hynix HMT325S6BFR8C-H9
Serial Number 5A7632B2h (2989651546)
Manufacture Date Week 42 / 2010
Module Size 2 GB (1 rank, 8 banks)
Module Type SO-DIMM
Memory Type DDR3 SDRAM
Memory Speed DDR3-1333 (667 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage 1.5 V
Error Detection Method None
DRAM Manufacturer Hynix

Memory Timings:
@ 609 MHz 8-8-8-22 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 30-98-4-10-5-5 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP)
@ 533 MHz 7-7-7-20 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 27-86-4-8-4-4 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP)
@ 457 MHz 6-6-6-17 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 23-74-3-7-4-4 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP)
@ 380 MHz 5-5-5-14 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 19-61-3-6-3-3 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP)

Memory Module Features:
Auto Self Refresh Supported
Extended Temperature Range Supported
Extended Temperature Refresh Rate Not Supported
On-Die Thermal Sensor Readout Not Supported

Memory Module Manufacturer:
Company Name Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
Product Information http://www.hynix.com/gl/products

[ DIMM3: Hynix HMT325S6BFR8C-H9 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name Hynix HMT325S6BFR8C-H9
Serial Number 5A7632C6h (3325195866)
Manufacture Date Week 42 / 2010
Module Size 2 GB (1 rank, 8 banks)
Module Type SO-DIMM
Memory Type DDR3 SDRAM
Memory Speed DDR3-1333 (667 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage 1.5 V
Error Detection Method None
DRAM Manufacturer Hynix

Memory Timings:
@ 609 MHz 8-8-8-22 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 30-98-4-10-5-5 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP)
@ 533 MHz 7-7-7-20 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 27-86-4-8-4-4 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP)
@ 457 MHz 6-6-6-17 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 23-74-3-7-4-4 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP)
@ 380 MHz 5-5-5-14 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) / 19-61-3-6-3-3 (RC-RFC-RRD-WR-WTR-RTP)

Memory Module Features:
Auto Self Refresh Supported
Extended Temperature Range Supported
Extended Temperature Refresh Rate Not Supported
On-Die Thermal Sensor Readout Not Supported

Memory Module Manufacturer:
Company Name Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
Product Information http://www.hynix.com/gl/products

----------


Thanks for all the help, I really need it.

[Tradesman]

Looks to be the SPD settings for your Hynix sticks, try removing them insert 1 of the GSkill sticks and start it up, soon as you power on start tapping the F2 key (I believe on the Vostra, if not F2, it should say on the screen immediately after you turn it on, may be the Delete key, bat as said, think it's F2) to enter the BIOS, then will want the DRAN info (timings etc) and the voltages available in the BIOS

[rogriverac]

BIOS Information is:

System Memory: 8192 MB
Memory Speed: 1066 MHz
Memory Channel mode: Dual Channel
Dimm A Size: 4096 MB (DDR3 1066)
Dimm A Size: 4096 MB (DDR3 1066)

There is no more information at all on the BIOS, nor user selectable settings about RAM.

Thanks again.

[Tradesman]

May want to try and get in touch with Dell then..or wait till Monday and see if the GSkill techs have any info on it. Just looked at the Dell site and the manual on your BIOS, seems typical of Dell and laptops in particular, few to NO options for adjustments. Did see they have a fairly recent BIOS update - A10 BIOS, if you don't have it, it might help, can be downloaded from:

ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/3400_A10.EXE

[rogriverac]

I have applied the A10 Bios update. I thought it would be the definite solution, but nothing good happened.

I will write Dell and wait for the G.Skill advice. I appreciate all your good help.

Thanks

[Tradesman]

Sorry couldn't do more

[GSKILL TECH]

Does the problem persist with one module installed? If both modules show the same exact problem, it must be a compatibility issue.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[rogriverac]

The problem exist with the two modules installed at the same time. When I put one module at a time it seems to work well. But I have not try it on that configuration for long.

One more thing to note is OS boots well, the problems are once its all loaded and you launch apps when they crash. But, If I try to boot from a Windows 7 setup DVD or a USB Windows 7 installation Hard disk to do a clean install, it gives me a blue screen error freeze.

Another thing is the factory modules have 4 chips on each side and the G.skill have 8 on each side. Other than that, the specs are the same.

You think I should ask for a replacement? Will new modules fix the problem. Or should I stay with my factory 2GB x 2 Hynix modules?

Why would it be an incompatibility issue if the G.Skill specs are exactly the same as those for the factory Hynix?

Thanks in advance

[GSKILL TECH]

If one module at a time works OK, then it should not be a compatibility problem. The only thing we can do is to try a new kit to see if that fixes the problem. Contact your original place of purchase for an exchange.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[rogriverac]

I'll send the parts for replacement and keep you posted on the outcome. I really want the 8GB.

Thanks for everything.

[Tradesman]

Sorry we couldn't get them working

[GSKILL TECH]

I hope this laptop doesn't require high density modules. Recent trend seems to be that Lenovo, Dell, HP, maybe more and doing this so they can sell their memory at $449+. I think that's per module too!

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[rogriverac]

And how do we determine if the high density is required or not?

Thanks