Memory Initialization - Intel S2600KPFR Product Specifications

Technical Product Specification
Manageability Engine (ME)
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BIOS flash
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4.6 Memory Initialization

Memory Initialization at the beginning of POST includes multiple functions, including:
DIMM discovery
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Channel training
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DIMM population validation check
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Memory controller initialization and other hardware settings
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Initialization of RAS configurations (as applicable)
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There are several errors which can be detected in different phases of initialization. During
early POST, before system memory is available, serious errors that would prevent a system
boot with data integrity will cause a System Halt with a beep code and a memory error code to
be displayed via the POST Code Diagnostic LEDs.
Less fatal errors will cause a POST Error Code to be generated as a Major Error. This POST
Error Code will be displayed in the BIOS Setup Error Manager screen, and will also be logged
to the System Event Log (SEL).
4.6.1.1 DIMM Discovery
Memory initialization begins by determining which DIMM slots have DIMMs installed in them.
By reading the Serial Presence Detect (SPD) information from an SEEPROM on the DIMM, the
type, size, latency, and other descriptive parameters for the DIMM can be acquired.
Potential Error Cases:
DIMM SPD does not respond – The DIMM will not be detected, which could result in a
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"No usable memory installed" Fatal Error Halt 0xE8 if there are no other detectable
DIMMs in the system. The undetected DIMM could result later in an invalid
configuration if the "no SPD" DIMM is in Slot 1 or 2 ahead of other DIMMs on the same
channel.
DIMM SPD read error – This DIMM will be disabled. POST Error Codes 856x "SPD Error"
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and 854x "DIMM Disabled" will be generated. If all DIMMs are failed, this will result in a
Fatal Error Halt 0xE8.
All DIMMs on the channel in higher-numbered sockets behind the disabled DIMM will
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also be disabled with a POST Error Code 854x "DIMM Disabled" for each. This could
also result in a "No usable memory installed" Fatal Error Halt 0xE8.
No usable memory installed – If no usable (not failed or disabled) DIMMs can be
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detected as installed in the system, this will result in a Fatal Error Halt 0xE8. Other
error conditions which cause DIMMs to fail or be disabled so they are mapped out as
Revision 1.37
Memory Support
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