F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Error encountered with SFF RAM slot on Dell OptiPlex 3050.

Error encountered with SFF RAM slot on Dell OptiPlex 3050.

Error encountered with SFF RAM slot on Dell OptiPlex 3050.

A
AWSOMO3000
Member
166
02-17-2022, 06:39 PM
#1
Hello everyone, I’m facing a problem that needs some advice. I have a Dell OptiPlex 3050 SFF model running an Intel Core i5-7500 (Kaby Lake) with the B250 chipset. Initially, I had 12GB of RAM, but after installing a cooler mount on the PC (since the standard CPU socket wouldn’t let me install a heat sink without mounting the motherboard), DIMM 1 stopped working. Whenever I tried to insert RAM into that slot, the power LED would flash twice, then again seven times. According to Dell’s error page, this suggests faulty memory.

I removed the extra RAM and left just the 8GB stick in DIMM 1, but the issue continued. Then I tried a 4GB stick in DIMM 1, and it still didn’t work. After that, I placed an 8GB stick in DIMM 2 and managed to boot, though it was slow. I also removed the SFF case to test with a GTX 670 and Oculus Quest 2, which worked but wasn’t ideal with 8GB RAM.

I’m wondering if this slot is damaged or if I should consider a newer motherboard that supports my CPU better. I even tried reflowing the board in an oven at 182.2°C (about 360°F) for 10 minutes, hoping to fix solder joints, but it didn’t help.

Could anyone suggest ways to try and recover this slot? Or should I look into a different motherboard that fits my setup? I also attached some photos if you need to see what I’m working with. Thanks in advance for your help!

AdovenGamer5224 #5
A
AWSOMO3000
02-17-2022, 06:39 PM #1

Hello everyone, I’m facing a problem that needs some advice. I have a Dell OptiPlex 3050 SFF model running an Intel Core i5-7500 (Kaby Lake) with the B250 chipset. Initially, I had 12GB of RAM, but after installing a cooler mount on the PC (since the standard CPU socket wouldn’t let me install a heat sink without mounting the motherboard), DIMM 1 stopped working. Whenever I tried to insert RAM into that slot, the power LED would flash twice, then again seven times. According to Dell’s error page, this suggests faulty memory.

I removed the extra RAM and left just the 8GB stick in DIMM 1, but the issue continued. Then I tried a 4GB stick in DIMM 1, and it still didn’t work. After that, I placed an 8GB stick in DIMM 2 and managed to boot, though it was slow. I also removed the SFF case to test with a GTX 670 and Oculus Quest 2, which worked but wasn’t ideal with 8GB RAM.

I’m wondering if this slot is damaged or if I should consider a newer motherboard that supports my CPU better. I even tried reflowing the board in an oven at 182.2°C (about 360°F) for 10 minutes, hoping to fix solder joints, but it didn’t help.

Could anyone suggest ways to try and recover this slot? Or should I look into a different motherboard that fits my setup? I also attached some photos if you need to see what I’m working with. Thanks in advance for your help!

AdovenGamer5224 #5

M
Mr_Floobiful
Posting Freak
890
02-19-2022, 01:25 AM
#2
Besides there being a strange option in the bios to disable DIMM_1, I don't think there is anything you could do to save it, unfortunately. Also its very odd it doesnt just boot with only whatever is in the second slot. Does the first slot show up in hwinfo?
M
Mr_Floobiful
02-19-2022, 01:25 AM #2

Besides there being a strange option in the bios to disable DIMM_1, I don't think there is anything you could do to save it, unfortunately. Also its very odd it doesnt just boot with only whatever is in the second slot. Does the first slot show up in hwinfo?

J
Jelly_Fluff
Member
54
02-19-2022, 08:07 AM
#3
It seems like you might have missed a connection.
J
Jelly_Fluff
02-19-2022, 08:07 AM #3

It seems like you might have missed a connection.

Y
youknowwh0
Member
54
02-19-2022, 10:41 AM
#4
The BIOS recognizes DIMM 1 and boots when one of the DIMMs is placed in slot 2, while slot 1 fails completely and displays a memory error. There’s no option to disable slot 1 in BIOS settings. Checking hardware information confirms slot 1 is nonfunctional. It seems the CPU cooler mounting bracket might have caused damage, or another issue exists. I intend to replace the board, but currently I’m limited to 8GB RAM in one slot until I can afford a new system.
Y
youknowwh0
02-19-2022, 10:41 AM #4

The BIOS recognizes DIMM 1 and boots when one of the DIMMs is placed in slot 2, while slot 1 fails completely and displays a memory error. There’s no option to disable slot 1 in BIOS settings. Checking hardware information confirms slot 1 is nonfunctional. It seems the CPU cooler mounting bracket might have caused damage, or another issue exists. I intend to replace the board, but currently I’m limited to 8GB RAM in one slot until I can afford a new system.