How can I tell if I have ECC ram installled?

Question

Level 1

8 points

How can I tell if I have ECC ram installled?

I have the very first Mac Pro 2.66 dual core system.

Im looking in system profiler to check my memory type, which I couldnt remember if it was ECC or not.. In my quick reading it always says MacPro use ECC.. but in system profiler.. it just says..

DDR2 FB-DIMM

doesnt say ECC.. Would it say ECC?
Does this mean I have non ECC memory installed??
Is there a memory test app somewhere that digs a bit deeper?

Tx..

Joe

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Feb 18, 2009 7:38 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 18, 2009 8:05 PM in response to joe259

All Mac Pro memory has ECC, but System Profiler doesn't show it. To test memory, boot from the install DVD while holding "D", then run "Extended Tests. The "System Profile" tab of the diagnostics will show more information about the installed memory.

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Answer 2

Feb 19, 2009 7:38 AM in response to joe259

Hi joe259;

If it is working, it has ECC RAM installed.

Allan

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Answer 3

joe259 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 19, 2009 9:58 AM in response to Allan Eckert

Allan Eckert wrote:

If it is working, it has ECC RAM installed.

Not true. The system can support NON ECC Ram.

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Answer 4

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Feb 19, 2009 10:19 AM in response to joe259

Good luck, but I doubt you or anyone else is using a Mac Pro sans ECC.

Intel has adopted the technology for their newer Xeon 5000/5100 series and beyond, which they consider "a long-term strategic direction for servers".[6]

Intels enthusiast system platform Skulltrail is making use FB-DIMMs for their dual CPU socket, multi-GPU system.[8]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FB_DIMM

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2609
Ma href=http://developer.apple.com/documentation/HardwareDrivers/Conceptual/HWTech RAM/Articles/RAM_concepts.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40003898-SW11200331177> Apple RAM Expansion Note
http://www.crucial.com/kb/
http://www.crucial.com/search/searchresults.aspx?keywords=FBDIMM
http://www.interfacebus.com/MemoryModule_DDR2_FBDIMM.html

There is also a discussion about Nehalem (next Xeon line) and ECC.
http://www.realworldtech.com/forums/index.cfm?action=detail&id=96129&threadid=96 038&roomid=2

You have this on faith? from using non-ECC yourself? because I have never seen, heard, or read of anyone selling, installing, or using a "non-ECC" FBDIMMs. Zilch. Heck, hard enough to get supported spec to work.

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Answer 5

Feb 19, 2009 10:33 AM in response to The hatter

Hi The Hatter;

Thank you.

Allan

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Answer 6

joe259 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 19, 2009 11:04 AM in response to Allan Eckert

Look.. This isnt a question as to what is the correct way.. it's a question of verifying that a system has ECC in it or not..

When you have to work on a system that you don't have the history on then, and you want to verify what is in it, then perhaps you'll understand why I am asking the question. So computer geeks can keep your opinions and your need to be correct to yourselves.. "Allan" You comment was wrong(and unhelpful) so live with it..

In case there are other that want to verify... Here's what I've found out..

Seemed to me that in the description under system profiler it should say ECC if was.. And this system doesnt.. I dont think any system does..

It does say under status "OK". Status is where the system profiler will report if ECC errors happened.. So my guess is that "OK" means ECC.. and if by some chance there was non ECC memory in the system if would say somethihng else like NONECC of something..

Anyhow at this point I'm going to assume ECC and move forward...

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Answer 7

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Feb 19, 2009 11:58 AM in response to joe259

Seemed to me that in the description under system profiler it should say ECC if was.. And this system doesnt.. I dont think any system does..

It probably doesn't because Apple doesn't support using non-ECC memory in a Mac Pro. If yours is working with non-ECC memory installed, you're really fortunate, as with most systems the Mac won't boot with non-ECC memory. Whether there's any sort of utility out there that would report such memory I don't know, but I haven't found one.

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