topic Re: Non-HP Branded Memory in Netservers

Non-HP Branded Memory

Edward Ulpindo_1 — Wed, 10 Dec 2003 03:11:22 GMT

In regard to some of the other posts about upgrading with non-HP memory...

I understand that HP's official stance on NetServer memory is that third party brands are unsupported. But is this to say that it won't work necessarily? Attached is Kingston's warranty sheet (PDF) -- it has a section about HP and how use of Kingston memory does not void HP's warranty. It is dated 2001, before the NetServer discontinuation.

I am planning a memory upgrade for our NetServers and wonder if any of you have had success (or major disasters) using Kingston or other non-HP memories...

Thanks in advance for your input.

Edward
eulpindo@hotmail.com

Re: Non-HP Branded Memory

malvin drakley — Wed, 10 Dec 2003 03:54:40 GMT

Hi Edward, the only thing you have to remember is that HP don't support other memory so if you place a call for support you would have to take it out. In fact some of the netservers at boot time will tell you that there is non-supported memory in the system. There was even a case of HP's own memory doing that because the firmware in the dimms was wrong.
hope this helps
malvin

Re: Non-HP Branded Memory

Mark Young_2 — Wed, 10 Dec 2003 10:47:44 GMT

Edward,

Obviously in some cases, people are forced to use non-HP ram due to budget or availability issues. I am an advocate against using non-HP ram. That being said, I understand when people sometimes have to.

The big thing is, usually when you are using non-HP ram, it is usually only a matter of time before you have problems. Some lucky people get away with using it and never seem to have issues, but in my experience that is very rare.

I guess I've just sen way too many instances when I've had a customer who has had strange system problems like lockups, random reboots, inability to POST etc, that were fixed easily by removing the non-HP ram.

Maybe others out there have had different experiences with different 3d party manufacturers.

Mark

Re: Non-HP Branded Memory

Sean T. Craig — Wed, 10 Dec 2003 14:16:17 GMT

Hi Edward,

Just to clarify for you: Using non-HP branded RAM does NOT void your warranty. The only issue, as Malvin stated, is that it not supported by HP. If you call HP for support, you will be asked to remove the non-HP RAM for purposes of troubleshooting. If the problems are eliminated, then the RAM is the cause. If the problems persist, then HP will continue to troubleshoot the issue with you.

It's the same type of situation as connecting a tape backup unit to a NetRAID controller. HP's official policy is that the only devices on the NetRAID controller should be drives that are participating in an array (either active, hotspare, or ready spare). That doesn't mean it won't work or that it will void your warranty, just that it is unsupported by HP and you are on your own if that's what you want to do.

Re: Non-HP Branded Memory

Edward Ulpindo_1 — Mon, 15 Dec 2003 14:57:41 GMT

Thanks for the input -- I'll take everything into consideration...