H164409:  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:

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



DATE: September 29, 1998