ECC vs Non-ECC Ram?

[GJW]

What's the deal here?
My Dad's motherboard says it requires non error correcting and checking DIMMs but everything I read says that ECC ram can be used in non-ECC machines just fine -- the error checking simply won't be utilized.

I've already tried 4 different DIMMs that I don't know to be good but I do know them to be ECCs and his machine doesn't like them at all.
With new DIMMs alone in either slot or both his machine won't boot.
With 1 in 1 slot and his original ram in the other slot, the machine boots but only his original DIMM is recognized.

Are there really machines that require Non-ECC?

 

[IlluminatingBikr]

You should be able to use ECC in a Non-ECC application as far as I know. ECC is used in servers usually, and non-ECC is the standard for desktops, and is much more common.

I might borrow a non-ECC stick of RAM from a friend before buying any, because there might be a bigger problem then this.

 

[rdshores]

Some motherboards can use either type of ram, and some can use only non ECC.

 

[rdshores]

What motherboard is it?

 

[GJW]

Not sure.
It's a 4-year old NEC desktop with an AMD K62 and the documentation is lousy.
It does specifically call for non error checking DIMMs so I guess that much is accurate.

 

[snakebite]

its a 50/50 chance whether it will work or not.
i have several systems here that require reg ecc and they wont even beep for you if you put in standard sdram.
some mobo's will use ecc even if not supported and some will not.
post the info on the dimms and i can tell you more.
i use ecc stuff here and may be able to swap you for what your box takes.
also that box may not work with your ecc because of density issues.like if those are like 256mb single sided.