Getting different RAM-amounts showing...

Hey Guys !

My first time here and I hope u can help me lol
I have looked on some of the other threads regarding similar
problems but I cant relly find my specific one.

My problem is: I have installed 6 GB Ram and when I boot up my PC
I get 6 most of the time. But sometimes I only get 4, and even just 2.
When I look at the System info in Win7 I see:

Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 6,00 GB
Total Physical Memory 6,00 GB
Available Physical Memory 4,66 GB (for example)

So far so good - OS take what it needs and so on.
But... When I start up my PC, I sometimes just get 2 or 4
showing up in Total Physical Memory ?

My system:
OS - Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Cpu - Intel Xeon W3520 (920...)
Mobo - Gigabyte EX58-UD5 (BIOS update F11, latest I think)
VGA - HD 4890
I am running Win7 on Intel SSD 160 GB

I have checked and rechecked my wiring and how the RAM is set into the Mobo.
I have checked the Max Memory button in system config, all ok.
I have used a couple of memtests including Win7's own. Nothing wrong !
I am running my memory and system on stock without any OC.
It is stable - Running Prime (over night), 3DMark and so on without any problems.
My Bios is more or less set to its default parameters. (One thing though -
I cant see any remapping settings in the BIOS for the Gigabyte...
Am I missing something ? )

So - Does anyone have a clue ?
I thought RAM-strips were pretty much dead or alive...
And as I can get use of all of my 6 GB's most of the time
I presume my three strips are all alive lol

Thanks for reading !

Is your ATI HD 4890 Vapor-X card using your memory? It might be set to use its own Ram and your system Ram. that would explain the drop from 6 to 4.6.

As for the drop to 2-4g Ram, I would say that either the Ram is not in the correct slots if it is a pair it needs to be in the correct slots. or tricannel would need to be in the correct three slots. Just first things to check I guess.

I am assuming you are using 64x as 32x would not show more than 3-3.25 Ram available.

Thx for input !

My Win 7 is 64x.
I have ckecked the slots and they are the right ones.
The drop in Available Physical Memory is not important,
it should drop when the system is in use. It is the difference between
Installed and Total that is my problem. Btw, Installed always shows 6 GB
so my system recognizes the RAM.

BTW, Welcome to the forum.... I do know that RAM can be partially bad as in a section of the Ram cant be used. Maybe install only one stick at a time and do Memtest on each single stick. I know that when they are in Dual or Tri channel, the writing to the Ram is treated as one stick so it might not be catching the bad sections. I don't know if that will give you a failed test or not though.

I don't know what else to suggest as the Installed Ram amount is correct. I would say the BIOS would also say 6G. You might also want to check in the Event logs and see if anything is giving you an error.

You have a Xeon CPU in a Socket LGA 1366 board? The max memory does nothing - its for debugging purposes. I would reset the CMOS, and then put in a matched triple channel kit if its a LGA 1366 or dual channel system. You should also match the RAM in kits, with the same brand, same timings, same frequency.

Frostmourne said:

You have a Xeon CPU in a Socket LGA 1366 board? The max memory does nothing - its for debugging purposes. I would reset the CMOS, and then put in a matched triple channel kit if its a LGA 1366 or dual channel system. You should also match the RAM in kits, with the same brand, same timings, same frequency.

Click to expand...

The socket LGA1366 is right one yes. On the Intel site and on the
manufactor-box that what it says.
And my RAM is a matched Mushkin kit from the same box.
All settings the same of course.
And I have reset the CMOS...

This is very frustrating...
I have rerun the memtest - Memtest86.
It says all is ok - Passed.
I have taken one and one strip out of the mobo, I have
tried all the different slots and I have tried different settings in the BIOS....
Still: Most boots I get 6 GB showing and then suddenly 4...
AArghhh

It also says:

Memory modules listed below are for reference only. Due to massive memory models on the market, we can only verify some of them

Click to expand...

I have not heard of Mushkin having any known issues with Gigabyte-boards
or vice-versa. (And the modules are installed in slots 1,3 and 5.)
But... - Maybe u have a point. Matching RAM and boards seems sometimes to create
different kinds of problems.
It seems that I just have to bite the bullet and buy new RAM

Does the Mushkin package you purchased allow the RAM to be set up in Dual Channel as the setup had shown: (the performance increase from Dual to TRI is not tremendous)

When enabling Dual Channel mode with 2 memory modules, be sure to install them in the DDR3_1 and DDR3_3 sockets

Maybe try this and see if the RAM still disappears.

Also, CPU-Z CPUID is a great program for seeing what your system specs are for your CPU and RAM and it might shed some light on the problem

hmmmm..... chekc this out also: Mushkin Enhanced Forums • View topic - Mushkin Ram and Motherboard Compatibility List (Unofficial)

I didn't see your mobo, but you might find a gigabyte board with your chipset and be able to get RAM to match.

Thx - I saw it too. Now I will have a discussion with my shop lol

And thanks btw for ur interest and input

When I checked and reinstalled the RAM's for the second time
I found a tiny, tiny piece of plastic in one of the groves of one
of the slots. By just blowing I got rid of it and now all seems
to be working perfect lol
I have no idea... But maybe this minescuel piece of plastic
somehow screwed up the conection. So maybe...
I am hopeful !

Ah I have heard people say to check the slots to make sure they are clean and I had not tought of that. I will add to my arsenal of troubleshooting tips. Hope you dont have any more troubles with it.