[comp.sys.ibm.pc] 201 Memory Fault Code question

neal@smcnet.UUCP (neal pollakck) (01/24/90)

I have never seen a document that describes how to interpret
the 201 fault codes that can happen at power-up on a pc.
For example, if the power up test stops with "60D4 201" displayed
on the screen, all I can tell you is that we have a bad memory chip.

Can some kind soul shed some light on how to interpret the
first 4 or more digits?  Which bank and which chip, and why?

Thanks in advance,
Neal Pollack
SMC Telecomm
213-450-5150 x9845

akcs.amparsonjr@vpnet.UUCP (Anthony M. Parson, Jr.) (02/02/90)

I've seen ads for software that purport to be able to tell you the exact
chip that is defective.  Check-it, QA Plus diagnostics, amont
among others.  It apparently helps if you have a real IBM, as the clones
don't follow standards exactly, in all cases.  There are programs that do
what you ask.

amichiel@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Allen J Michielsen) (02/07/90)

In article <25c86ca0:4498.1comp.sys.ibm.pc;1@vpnet.UUCP> akcs.amparsonjr@vpnet.UUCP (Anthony M. Parson, Jr.) writes:
>I've seen ads for software that purport to be able to tell you the exact
>chip that is defective.

In the 201 error, is the row number of the first defective chip.
This number is usually / always correct.  However, the rest of the
info, or any software perports to being able to identify the defective
chip further is best guessing.  Some best guess better than others.
If it's a soft error (most common) the best guess is pretty lousy.
If it's a hard error the best guess is pretty close or good.
If the error is actually in row 0, I don't believe any software in the
world exists to identify the defectice chip better than 1/9.
Most commonly, rows of chips come from the same mfg lot.  My experience
indicates that the tend to develope soft errors in close time related
batches.
al