problem detecting 6GB memory on ASUS Ramage III formula

[MraK]

Hello all,

I hope some could help me on a problem I am having with the memory I installed on my ASUS Rampage III formula motherboard. I installed 6GB Corsair Dominator 1600mhz memory and on the bios/system info/ and control panel system screen it only shows 4GB. I'm running Windows 64-bit professional so I know it should at least read more than that. I've already tried switching the memory with memory sticks (Corsair XMS3 6GB 1600mhz) and still I only see 4GB. I also looked at the socket pins if anything is bent (hard to tell exactly what is considered a bent pin, since all the pins seemed angled at one direction *dunno if that makes any sense*) and then it showed only 2GB, so then I re-applied the CPU then it went back to showing 4GB and not 6GB. I researched the best I could online from some others who have had similar if not exact problems, who had some remedies but still only show 4GB. I know at least the memory itself is only because it shows 6GB in my other i7 rig and that this memory is listed in the compatible memory-motherboard list, but what gives? Is there something I missed? or something that I have to configure in the bios? or *I truly hope its not* the motherboard itself?

 

[tweakboy]

Go to your BIOS and set to defaults. If you inserted properly it can be the mobo RAM socket the issue. Does this RAM get noticed if you put it on your other machine ? If soo then RMA the mobo,,, gl and fill iln your specs we can help you more.. thx

 

[Rifter]

memtest the sticks one at a time, if they all test out that way then its the mobo and you can RMA it.

 

[tcsenter]

Run MSCONFIG, click on the Boot Tab (or advanced), open the advanced options, make sure to clear/remove any check mark next to Maximum Memory. Save and reboot, confirm the memory use reporting again.

 

[Zap]

Had this happen to a friend of mine. Turned out to be bent pins in the socket. You couldn't see it, unless you shined a flashlight on it at an angle. The afflicted pins were closest to the edge of the motherboard near the RAM.

 

[FishAk]

I also looked at the socket pins if anything is bent ..... and then it showed only 2GB, so then I re-applied the CPU then it went back to showing 4GB and not 6GB.

This tells me you have a faulty contact(s). Re-applying the CPU will not affect memory recognition, unless the memory is bumped during the CPU install. (improving contact for 1 stick in this case)

If all the sticks prove to be good, than by moving the memory around, you should be able to isolate the problem socket. If you can verify a bad socket, and don't see anything obvious you can fix (bent pin) than RMA.

I don't know for certain, but I believe if memory doesn't show up in BIOS, it will not show up with your OS.

 

[MraK]

Had this happen to a friend of mine. Turned out to be bent pins in the socket. You couldn't see it, unless you shined a flashlight on it at an angle. The afflicted pins were closest to the edge of the motherboard near the RAM.

with mentions poster below, would fixing the bent pin work? and how would I be able to repair the bent pin without damaging the socket?

 

[MraK]

If all the sticks prove to be good, than by moving the memory around, you should be able to isolate the problem socket. If you can verify a bad socket, and don't see anything obvious you can fix (bent pin) than RMA.

The funny thing is when I switch the memory around, when trying to see which is the bad memory socket it would show something like this in the bios screen (A = 52 B = 0 C = 53) then switching the memory it would show this (A = 0 B = 49 C = 47) but the thing is when I tested my other 6GB memory, its random too, as well as just showing 4GB and not 6GB. And as I mentioned the poster above of you, how can I repair the bent pin, without damaging the cpu socket itself?

 

[MraK]

something just came to mind, since the issue here is mainly dealing with the whole reading of only 4GB present when its actually 6GB installed, the motherboard itself in dealing with bent pins, and CPU contact with pressure from the heat-sink; I noticed something from the very beginning, knowing that when you buy a new motherboard a plastic protective cover is present on the socket and as with the CPU itself, the thing is I remember I saw the CPU inside the little plastic housing but without a plastic cover to protect the CPU contacts. Since the CPU came in that kind of condition, do you think the contacts got affected do to it being packed without a protective cover????

 

[FishAk]

Yes, that's a possibility. See if this thread helps out at all.

 

[MraK]

just finished memory testing on each memory module and concluded that the memory I bought works and I also used the memory to test on my back up rig, just in case. I also tested in each memory slot and found that the center slot (slot B) is not reading any of the sticks, but the other 2 slots work (A and C). So does that mean the board is automatically bad, even though all the other features of the board work? I can OC and tweak things normally just that I can only run 4 out of 6 gigs. Have yet to venture in repairing a broken mb socket pins.

 

[FishAk]

So does that mean the board is automatically bad

No.

It's likely, but can also be due to a bad seat between the MB and CPU, or a bad CPU.

If you can't see anything obliviously wrong with the pins on the DMM slot, or the CPU/MB contact aria, it's probably not something you will be able to fix. If you don't have another CPU to test the MB, or another MB to test the CPU, you will have to guess which is the most likely candidate to RMA for a solution.

 

[MraK]

did another test and finally found that all three sticks work as i tried each one, one at a time on the motherboard, but when installing them in my other rig's motherboard (ASUS P6T) all the memory kicks in easy. Then I tried each slot one at a time and found that only slot A and C work but slot B *center slot* will not even boot the system. So it seems for now that I got one bad slot in this motherboard (ASUS rampage III formula) emailed ASUS regarding issue, the tech said my memory is the problem, so now I'm confused. Read on other forums and people said to mess with the memory configurations, reinstall windows 7, change memory for another memory due to incompatibility issues (although memory was listed in the manual and also saw that atleast 2 other people using the same memory as I'm using with this board are having no issues, checking for bent pins on the board (which I did and the pins seem ok, used a magnifying glass), reseated the cpu, loosend the pressure from the heatsink, etc.

The only thing I could think of is when I could the cpu, I remembered seeing the cpu coming without its protective plastic cover, aside from the small plastic housing. Do you guys think maybe this whole thing has something do to with the processor's contacts itself??

 

[MraK]

Would this mean anything, regarding my problem? (looked at my system info)

Total Physical Memory 3.99 GB
Available Physical Memory 1.57 GB
Total Virtual Memory 7.98 GB
Available Virtual Memory 5.20 GB

 

[MraK]

just recently OCd to 4.2Ghz and played with the memory timing and then it switched to 2GB, then I tweaked it again and it finally said 6GB, but as I rebooted the pc for the second time it went back to 4GB, I think I just have to tweak more things in bios to show 6GB again. can anyone help me with this, now?

thanks in advance!

 

[FishAk]

It sounds to me like a bad contact someplace.

You already checked each memory module, so if you did that right, you can count out the memory despite what the tech told you.

If you have another board or processor, you can determine if one or the other is OK or defective. If OK, than by process of elimination, the remaining component is defective, and should be returned.

 

[MraK]

hmmm thanks Fish, I guess it's kind of funny how I have another rig that could test the mb and/or cpu. And honestly, despite having this small memory reading problem, I actually pretty amazed that I got my processor OCd to 4.2ghz stable.

 

[Emulex]

i'd be kinda scared if my motherboard saw 2,4,6 gb of ram. That sounds very unsafe. what if it decides to stop seeing ram while you are using the machine?

RMA the mobo dude.

 

[FishAk]

The most likely culprit is the MB, but without testing results, how is it you are so certain? I don't have much experience here, so I'm curious.

 

[tweakboy]

Emulex makes a good valid point. Listen to him. It is not worth one day sitting there playing your game and suddenly POOF! your rig is a gonner. RMA the board ASUS is great with that. Don't hold on the one you have its just gonna cause more problems in the future. Just RMA and youll be set in 2 weeks.. GL

 

[Zap]

with mentions poster below, would fixing the bent pin work? and how would I be able to repair the bent pin without damaging the socket?

Yes, fixing it is possible with good lighting, a steady hand and good eyesight (or a magnifier). I managed to fix the problem on my friend's motherboard using a flashlight and a needle. The thing is you need to verify that this is indeed the problem. Shining a flashlight on the pins at an angle helps. Also, check the pads on the bottom of the CPU. If there is thermal compound on it, clean it. If there is corrosion or oxidation, then take a soft pencil eraser to it ever so gently.

 

[MraK]

Yes, fixing it is possible with good lighting, a steady hand and good eyesight (or a magnifier). I managed to fix the problem on my friend's motherboard using a flashlight and a needle. The thing is you need to verify that this is indeed the problem. Shining a flashlight on the pins at an angle helps. Also, check the pads on the bottom of the CPU. If there is thermal compound on it, clean it. If there is corrosion or oxidation, then take a soft pencil eraser to it ever so gently.

you have a good point, before deciding the motherboard RMA, I have a feeling it could be just as well the cpu due to the fact that when the part arrived it came packaged without its protective plastic cover, thought it was just ok to install without having the thought of it being bad, since its rare that intel would have a QC problem, well to my experience that is. And I just want to clarify to the other posters say that its my motherboard, since I mentioned about the way the cpu arrived with, could it just as be the cpu and not the motherboard?

 

[MraK]

Emulex makes a good valid point. Listen to him. It is not worth one day sitting there playing your game and suddenly POOF! your rig is a gonner. RMA the board ASUS is great with that. Don't hold on the one you have its just gonna cause more problems in the future. Just RMA and youll be set in 2 weeks.. GL

When you say my rig is a goner do you mean if/when the motherboard goes poof everything that's connected to it will go poof as well???????

 

[Rifter]

just RMA the board, if you have tested each stick by itself and they all work then its the board. Dont let the tech who told you its the ram change your mind, he is obviously a idiot. I would not even consider trying to fix it yourself if its still under warranty.

 

[FishAk]

Those of you who are recommending to RMA the MB have much more experience than I do, and I value your opinions. I don't understand how you can be so confident that the problem is the MB with the supplied info. Are motherboards prone to defects so much more than a CPU that it's implausible to consider the CPU may be defective?

My take is that both components are new. It also looks like the OP has access to both a known good CPU and MB. It seems like short work to verify the defective part, so I would like to know your reasoning as to why there is no need for further investigation, confident that in two weeks, a new MB will rectify the problem.

Again, I value your opinions, and I don't intend to be argumentative, but would simply like your thoughts for my own education.