Question

Operating in single channel debug mode. Please populate memory in matched sets for normal operation  dell precision 490. message from bios. Thanks

Answer 1

Hi. Please follow the below steps to try and isolate the cause of your Dell Presario 490

1. Re-seat the memory modules to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.
2. Then restart the computer and observe.
3. If the problem still persists, remove all the memory modules and re-install one memory module at a time (bear in mind to be on the look out for both a defect DIMM or DIMM slot).
4. Restart the computer.
   The following message appears: Alert! Operating in Debug Mode. Please Populate Memory in Pairs for Normal Operation.
5. Press <F1> to boot to the operating system.
6. Run the Dell Diagnostics.
7. If the memory module passes, shut down the computer, remove the memory module, and then repeat the process with the remaining memory modules until a memory error occurs during start-up or diagnostic testing.
8. If the first memory module tested is defective, repeat the process with the remaining modules to ensure that the remaining modules are not defective.