4GB memory issue

[xenonbachaim]

ive done plenty of reading but i still did not find an answer to my problem. i recently added 2 gigs of memory to my pc which already had 2 installed. it posts but the mobo will only detect 3 gigs and not four. i know that it has something to do with the memory hole. ive tried practically all different options from the bios that is supported but still the same issue. the only thing that i was able to do was change the mem speed to 400 from 333 after installing all four sticks. runs stable but with 1 gig missing.

athlon64 3200
2gb corsair
2gb pqi
pci e 800xl
ga-k8nf-9 gigabyte

 

[LOUISSSSS]

lol

 

[Rich3077]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
you're retarded

WTF!??

 

[Jeffito123]

LOL...very mature

 

[GarrettZx]

Are both the old and new 2GB, a pair of 1GB Dual channel?

 

[ViRGE]

You're not the first person to come in here with that problem and unable to find a solution. When it comes to desktop(as opposed to workstation) mobos, manufacturers just aren't taking 4GB capacities seriously. You may want to try out a 64bit OS, the memory hole shouldn't be a problem once you're past 32bit addressing.

 

[fire400]

If you've noticed on Anandtech forums, you will figure out for yourself that half the posts here are from immature guys who need a life, QFT

Anyway, you can check Microsoft's website (typing in 4GB memory detection into their search engine) and they will provide you with the necessary steps in order for your system to recognize the full 4GB of memory you have installed. You don't have to have a 64-bit operating system to see a full 4GB of memory. Ofcourse this is assuming that you are running Windows XP or related OS.

 

[xenonbachaim]

thanks for all the replies. i am running a 64bit OS. its just that the mobo will only detect 3gigs at post. i have tested all the memory sticks in different slots and they all work fine. someone at a different forum told me that it has something to do with the 3200 amd cpu not being able to access the memory address or something like that. im not so sure how true that is but it only narrows down to it.

yes both pairs are dual channel and they post as dual channel with all four installed.

pc3200 if that helps any

 

[chilled]

Update to the latest BIOS if you haven't done so already.

 

[xenonbachaim]

ive updated to the latest bios. it just gave me a few more options but nothing to do with the memory.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Due to standard PC architecture, a certain amount of memory is reserved for system usage and therefore the actual memory size is less than the stated amount. For example, 4 GB of memory size will instead be shown as 3.xxGB memory during system startup.

It's all in the manual.

 

[tcsenter]

It's all in the manual.

I have never gotten a manual with any of my motherboards. All that comes in the box is this little booklet with pretty pictures on the cover, which is for extra padding in the box, I think.

DOH!

 

[Vegito]

There should be an memory swap option.. asus has it

 

[Venomous]

They insult because they are to stupid to know the answer. So, the know it all feel inferior. Its a Gigabyte mobo, so you will have to hit F1 in BIOS to unlock the advanced settings. You will see that there is a new option to enable 4 gig support.

the next problem lies within windows. You have to edit the boot INI and ad the /3gb switch command. here is the directions straight from MS. I hiope this helps

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEmem.mspx

 

[xenonbachaim]

this is what i get when i push ctrl-F1 in the bios
In the brackets are my configuration and underneath is the options available.


Advanced chipset options

HT Width [16 16]
8 8
16 8
8 16
16 16

Err94 [AUTO]
Enable or Disable

DRAM Configuration [2T]
Auto - 1T - 2T

Bottom of 32 bit [31:24] [C0]
Enter HEX number: min 0000 max 00E0

SSE/SSE2 Instructions [Auto]
Enable - Disable - Auto

 

[Venomous]

Check the other areas of the BIOS. My rig is online, so i cant shut it down to check where its at. Mines the 939 Nforce 3 AGP board and has the settings for 4gb of addressed memory.

 

[seanp789]

Yeah, bios should have an option for remapping memory in the 4GB range. Also, windows xp cant address 4GB so even if you get bios to recognize it its useless. you would need a 64-bit version of windows or linux

 

[SuperSilicon]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
You're not the first person to come in here with that problem and unable to find a solution. When it comes to desktop(as opposed to workstation) mobos, manufacturers just aren't taking 4GB capacities seriously. You may want to try out a 64bit OS, the memory hole shouldn't be a problem once you're past 32bit addressing.

So very true, I think its safer to go with faster memory as opposed to more.

 

[videogames101]

It can't use 4 gigs for 1 program, but it can address 4 gigs over multiple programs.

 

[xenonbachaim]

I am running x64 XP. So i think that once the memory is detected by the mobo then xp shouldnt have a problem with 4 gigs. As far as the speed of the memory goes, after i install all 4 sticks the bios automatically changes the speed to 333 from 400. But i have the option of switching it manually to 400 which ive done and it runs fine.

The bios does give me alot of other options for configuring the memory but nothing that looks like the "mapping" option.

BTW its the nforce4 chipset