XPS 8930, memory configuration matrix

   Cleared the BIOS per your instructions.  Only difference I could find in my BIOS settings vs. Default BIOS settings was that SupportAssist OS Recovery was enabled in my BIOS and disabled in the default BIOS settings. 

Tried the Crucial 16 GB kit again in DIMM slots #1, #2 (white, white) - 4 amber flashes of power button. At this point, the only thing I can figure out is that it's the motherboard.

Yes, I also tried a single module in DIMM #3 - 4 amber flashes.

Agreed...contact Tech Support for assistance...

@DE54  Thanks, it good to know that when testing a single memory module use only DIMM1.

Supposed to be out this week to replace the motherboard.  Service Dispatch today says they don't have the part and are working on it....

Been told they won't have any motherboards until end of September or beginning of October.  Yet Dispatch no longer says they are waiting on the motherboard, and also says they were scheduled to be out to repair it 2 days ago.  Funny, it still hasn't been repaired and no one was out on the 20th.....  Not impressed so far with Dell warranty repairs!

Motherboard replaced a couple days ago.  Booted right up.  Memory issues solved.  Technician installed all three  8GB modules I had - 2 Crucial and 1 Hynix.  DIMM slots 1, 2 (white, white) and DIMM 3 (black).  CPU-Z showing 24 GB RAM all running dual channel. 

Now, the new issues. 

#1) Dell splash screen now has a blue loading bar under the Dell logo - no big deal?, 

#2) Dell spalsh screen - F12 Boot Menu - Diagnostics - screen graphics are scrambled and half screen, can't read or see anything on the ePSA screen, can tell there is a mouse pointer there and move. (This is the ONLY screen doing this.)

#3) Dell SupportAssist can identify drivers that need updated, but errors when installing them?   Other tests run correctly.  Can still download and install drivers manually.

Technician thought BIOS update and driver update would fix everything and left.  Latest BIOS version installed and drivers installed - still the same problems.  Never had these issues with old MB or previous desktop.

Any ideas?Dell F12-Diagnostics-ePSA screenNew Blue loading bar on Dell splash screen

Do you have any video or display issues other than with the Dell screens? When booted into Windows is the video/screen fine? Are you also having issues when the BIOS is displayed on the screen? I think your issue with the splash screen is a big deal, it should not happen.

Regarding SupportAssist, there have been problems like yours reported here. I would disable SupportAssist and perform updates manually by going to dell.com/support and entering your Service Tag and downloading the latest updates.

The diagram is not incorrect.

The white EARS are not sequential.

There is a white Ear then black Ear then White ear then Black Ear.

Memory is INTERLEAVED with slot 1 then 3  2 then 4.

The white Ears are slots 1 and 3

The Black Ears are slots 2 and 4

Memory is NOT installed 1 then 2 then 3 then 4.

The Aurora boards have similar configuration.

All of the boards have IPCFL designations I believe because ASUS OEM's them to Dell.

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5KPLVM/

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/PRIME-B365M-C-CSM/

Thats also why the lettering looks the same as ASUS

XPS 8930 Motherboard IPCFL-VM DPN#  DF42J

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-motherboard-refurbished/apd/8885v/pc-accessories

This post from ages ago has the up close pic of the 8930 motherboard

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS-Desktops/XPS-8930-chipset-heatsink-missing/td-p/7323617

VDT73 AURORA R7 motherboard

@DE54is correct. You may wish to number the slots 1,2,3, & 4 in sequence but the slots are reference as DIMM3, DIMM1, DIMM4, & DIMM2 starting with the slot nearest the CPU socket. The corresponding markings on the motherboard (XPS 8910) are XMM3, XMM1, XMM4, & XMM2. Securing clips (ears) are white for slots DIMM1 & DIMM2 and black for the others.For reference, see the system-board components diagram in the Service Manual.

I thought of that and tried with just the Crucial pair in DIMM 1,2.  No difference. Screen still scrambled, Support Assist not installing drivers, blue loading bar still there.

@DE54  You didn't indicate any screen/video issues after booted into Windows. Is that correct? You did indicate issues with Diagnostic screens. I am assuming that you also have issues with the screens when you enter into the BIOS. If all the above is true, it seems to me that this is another motherboard problem. I guess you can confirm this by disconnecting your disk drives and if the problem persists than it is not Windows video/display driver related.

Try clearing BIOS:

1. Power off, unplug
2. Press/hold power button for ~15 sec
3. Open case and remove motherboard battery (check Service Manual for details)
4. Press/hold power button for ~30 sec
5. Reinstall the battery
6. Close up and connect mouse, monitor and keyboard
7. Reboot

There is a known conflict with Support Assist and earlier INTEL RST.

Windows 10 May 2019 Update (build 1903) 

Bad Pool Caller

Intel Optane Pinning BSOD

due to an out-of-date Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) driver

https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln318140/windows-10-may-2019-update-build-1903-fails-to-install-due-to-an-out-of-date-intel-rapid-storage-technology-rst-driver?lang=en

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29007/Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Intel-RST-User-Interface-and-Driver

Available Downloads

SetupOptaneMemory.exe

Windows 10, 64-bit*

Language: English

Size: 73.07 MB

MD5: 456a48399e583622aded654ac59690bb

f6flpy-x64.zip

Windows 10, 64-bit*

Language: English

Size: 4 MB

MD5: f323e7558553d7268a2b0724e74b5e68

Ancient Versions (Intel Killed and Pulled version 9.6 and 10.1 and 11.3 of RST Sept 13, 2019 saying these were END OF LIFE.