Resolved: Gigabyte EP43-UD3L and ECC RAM

[EricOfSweden]

I'm trying to install some ECC RAM modules in my Gigabyte EP43-UD3L rev 1.1. I know that the ECC part of the RAM won't be supported, but I was under the impression that the RAM would still work as if it was non-ECC without the mobo support, and the non-ECC RAM was cheaper than the non-ECC equivalent.

When the ECC RAM modules are installed alone, in a pair, the motherboard comes to a screeching halt, either giving me 3 long beeps(unknown??), or continuous long beeps(graphics card not inserted properly). When I remove the ECC RAM modules and reinsert my old non-ECC RAM, it boots flawlessly without any changes.

I've looked around in the BIOS setup to find somewhere to toggle ECC/non-ECC memory or something, but I couldn't find anything. I've also tried just one ECC RAM module and nothing else, and moving the ECC RAM modules around in the RAM sockets. No dice.

I'm afforded 14 days during which I can decide to return the RAM and get my money back according to the local laws, so I have a few days to try to get this to work. Any suggestions as to what to do? Can I get this working? Do I have to send it back and buy something more expensive?

The relevant hardware is as follows:
mobo: Gigabyte EP43-UD3L rev 1.1
CPU: Core2 Quad Q9650(3ghz)
ECC RAM: 2 x Kingston ValueRAM 4GB 667Mhz (KVR667D2Q8P5/4G)

 

[Dahak]

If the board will not support ecc ram than it will not work. I would return the ram and get the proper non-ecc ram

 

[WhiteFireDragon]

that's a mainstream desktop board, not a server or any kind of exotic board. it won't accept ECC memory at all. there's no option in the BIOS to turn on/off ECC, it's just simply regular non-ecc ddr2 memory only.

 

[EricOfSweden]

I guess I messed up when I did my research, I'll have to send the sticks back. Too bad.

Thanks for the help!

 

[EricOfSweden]

Gigabyte support confirms the conclusion of this thread:

"The GA-EP43-UD3L does not support ECC memory. You cannot change the ECC memory design to non-ECC. This is a hardware design."

 

[popej]

Hi,

this is not true. This is oversimplifications that lead to problems like in this thread.

ECC memory would run on your MB, simply without ECC functionality. Unfortunatley you bought registered memory and this is unsupported feature. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registered_memory

Suitable memory is ECC non-buffered. I'm using that kind of sticks in my PC: