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Turn the expensive paperweight I received from FedEx into the PC I paid for
I recently purchased an HP Z2 G5 Workstation Tower with one 4GB memory module. I received a package last week with an expensive paperweight in it.
I should have powered it on first but instead I stupidly yanked out the single memory card and replaced it with four 32 GB modules (M378A4G43AB2-CWE, Samsung 32GB (1x 32GB) Dual Rank x8 PC4-25600U (DDR4-3200) Unbuffered Memory) I had purchased separate and for a much cheaper price. When I boot it up I got a LED Lights/Beeps error code of 3.2 (3 red blinks and long beeps followed by 2 white blinks and short beeps) which stands for memory error. I reseated the memory cards several times, tried just one in DIMM1 and two cards in both DIMM1 and 2 and DIMM1 and 3 and then tried the original memory card in DIMM1. I always get the 3.2 LED Lights/Beeps error code.
HP Support so helpful I get stuck in a endless loop when I try to contact them.
Any suggestions? Or do I find papers to stick under it and order a Dell? Thanks in advance.
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)
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5 Replies
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Hello Mark,
What is the model of the 4GB memory module? Additionally what CPU is in the system?
According to the beep codes, you may have a pairty issue. Without further information, I recommend installing a single stick in the first slot, turning the computer on, and leaving it alone for a few minutes, if it starts beeping with the single stick record and relay that information.
Lastly will the machine boot if you install the single 4GB memory module?
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Thank you for your reply….
The memory module that came with it is described as a 4 GB (1 x 4 GB) DDR4-3200 UDIMM Memory. It should be non-ECC. There was SAMSUNG label on it. I did look up the code number and the memory that I bought was the same except was 32 GB per card.
The CPU is an Intel® Core™ i9-10900K Processor ((3.7 GHz, up to 5.3 GHz w/Boost, 20 MB cache, 10 coire 125W) + Intel® UHD Graphics 630.
I have tried a single new memory module in the DIMM1 slot, as well as two in slots 1 and 2 and 1 and 3, and the original memory in slot 1 all getting the same 3.2 error.
An IT friend told me to remove all the memory and leave it unplugged overnight then power it up without memory and let it try to booth for a few minutes. Then insert the original memory and let it try to boot for a few minutes–all yielding the 3.2 lights/beeps error code.
It’s no fun working from home…if I throw the pc out the window…i will have to pay for the window repair and pc repair.
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Hello Mark,
Reading here the 3.2 beep code is in stating “The embedded controller has timed out waiting for BIOS to return from memory initialization.”
From here on out I would only troubleshoot with the original single stick of memory.
Possibly dealing with a corrupt BIOS, you could attempt resetting the CMOS, if you click here and go to page 161, SW50 and SW550CMOS printed on the motherboard may help you locate the bios reset jumper or switch (unable to determine) you will hold down this button or move the jumper for 5 seconds while the computer is not connected to anything.
If you are still not getting anywhere you can attempt flashing your bios with a new image, you can click here to see how.
If the machine is within warranty, you could also return the computer to the manufacture for repair or replacement. You could be dealing with a Dead On Arrival issue.
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Thank you for the reply, I figured out how to get in touch with HP by phone. They had me do pretty much the same thing although they said to press the powerbutton for a solid minute to discharge all the power then to press the CMOS button for a solid 30 seconds, then try to boot up. I still got the 3.2 beep code so they are sending out a repair person. Thanks.
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Mark,
I’m glad to hear. Come back and let us know how it went!
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