8gb RAM installed, but only 3.99 "usable" -?

[xboxist]

Would someone please look at these two screenshots and let me know if I have an actual problem here, or if this is just the way Windows reports memory. I'd really appreciate it.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj96/Odindusk/mem1.png
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj96/Odindusk/mem2.png

 

[DominionSeraph]

My google-fu says:

1)Press Start -> Run

2)Type "msconfig"

3)Go under the "Boot" tab

4)Click "Advanced options" button

5)UNcheck "Maximum memory"

6)Reboot

 

[xboxist]

It's unchecked - good suggestion though. I did some light Googling but didn't see that one mentioned yet.

 

[thescreensavers]

Take out the ram and reseat them and change the order of them.

IE If you have 2x4gb put them in the other two slots.

 

[bryanW1995]

Yes, it looks like it's only detecting one stick.

 

[xboxist]

/shame

Yeah, I should have known better to reseat before posting. I guess I assumed that because it detected all 8GB, then they must have been seated properly. Weird.

Thanks again.

 

[kbp]

Windows 7 - 32 bit???

 

[Burner27]

Windows 7 - 32 bit???

If you look at his first screenshot, it says 64-bit OS.


Try reseating the CPU.

 

[exar333]

Found this article from someone with an Asus board experiencing the same issues. They had to fix in the BIOS.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itprogeneral/thread/cd832b5d-ae10-4eb6-9891-a5ae0c467486

I downloaded the manual for your MB, but didn't see any BIOS selections that might be the culprit. I still might suggest you poke around in the BIOS to be sure. Also, try memtest and make sure all the ram is functional...

 

[masteryoda34]

Probably a BIOS option

 

[superjim]

Wow that's weird. Like a noob I thought "you has 32-bit OS nub" but then I saw the screenshot. I would not have thought it would be a seating problem if the OS (and BIOS) saw all 8GB. Would love to know the resolution.

 

[corkyg]

Glad you solved the problem. Reseating the RAM was the right call.

 

[xboxist]

Yeah, sorry that my last post wasn't clear: reseating the RAM did indeed fix the problem. I have no idea how Windows detected all 8GB of RAM if one of them was not seated properly. Thanks everyone!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah, sorry that my last post wasn't clear: reseating the RAM did indeed fix the problem. I have no idea how Windows detected all 8GB of RAM if one of them was not seated properly. Thanks everyone!

If the SPD pins were connected, then the BIOS and Windows memory-detection routines that count up the DIMM sizes using the SPD info would still work, but Windows own memory-size-test routines would fail.

 

[nenforcer]

When you reseated them did you have to move them around to different DIMM slots or just actually "reseat" the same DIMMs in the same slots they were already installed into?

 

[xboxist]

I reseated each of the 4 sticks into their same slots - didn't change positions.

 

[xboxist]

I downloaded the manual for your MB, but didn't see any BIOS selections that might be the culprit.

PS - thanks for taking that step in an effort to help me.

 

[sequoia464]

Reading this post prompted me to check my system as well - 16 GB detected, 11.99 usable. Also corrected by reseating.

 

[bryanW1995]

Ram can be a real PITA to get installed correctly, especially if you have one of those gargantuan coolers than seem to be all the rage these days. I think that I'll go to a full tower when I upgrade next time, at least that will give a bit more room to fiddle around under the hood.

 

[sequoia464]

Ram can be a real PITA to get installed correctly, especially if you have one of those gargantuan coolers than seem to be all the rage these days. I think that I'll go to a full tower when I upgrade next time, at least that will give a bit more room to fiddle around under the hood.

I'm using just a simple Corsair H60 with push/pull fans. I know the big air coolers probably run a bit cooler than the H60, and are cheaper - but I'm using it exactly for the reasons you stated. I can easily change out my ram or processor if I want to.