Solved Realtek HD Audio incompatible with 4GB RAM?

[Rokhjin]

Greetings!

I've recently bought a second stick of 2GB RAM. Now, when I put both sticks in, the Realtek HD Audio device simply vanishes from my device manager and, therefor, cannot be installed (and doesn't work).

If I pull out one of the sticks and replace it with a 1GB stick that was already in there, the audio works fine.

I've searched around on the internet for a solution and haven't found one yet so I was wondering if any of you could help a guy out?

Thanks very much in advance!

-Rokhjin.

 

[DocBrown]

Welcome Rokhjin


Could you give us ful details on each ram stick ? Mfg, type, speed, etc.

A screen snip of CPU-Z details would be great




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[MultiCat]

I couldn't find anything on the site that said it was incompatible with 4GB of RAM.

That being said, I'm also having trouble with Realtek after I upgraded to 64bit Windows which gives me access to all 4GB of my RAM, instead of the usual 3.3GB.

Have you tried downloading from the PC manufacturer's website?

 

[Dwarf]

I have 4GB of RAM and run both 32-bit and 64-bit OSes with no problems whatsoever regarding Realtek audio and the drivers from Realtek. Having said that, my memory is a 2 x 2GB kit (4GB total) so the modules are matched. Is it possible that a slight mismatch between modules could be causing the problem? Remember that memory problems can manifest themselves in any number of ways.

@Rokhjin: You've stated that you recently bought the 2GB module. When you bought it, did you match up all the required parameters? It is not enough to match the operating frequency, the timing parameters have to match as well. Have you tried that stick on its own just to eliminate the possibility of it being faulty?

 

[Rokhjin]

I have in fact tried either memory stick and they seem to work as intended. Both are 2GB DDR2, 800MHz sticks from the same shop. Except for their height (for some reason the second one is only half of the first one yet the same length and connection) they pretty much look the same.

The computer detects both sticks of RAM and windows 7 is definitely telling me that all 4 GB are there (though, of course, only 3 GB is usable). The only problem I have is the audio problem.

CPU-Z:

 

[Dwarf]

So the new 2GB stick works, although not in conjunction with the existing one? I've noticed from your snips of CPU-Z that there is a 2 year difference in manufacturing date between the modules and that the physical dimensions, as regards height, are different.

True, the BIOS will, in most cases, recognise the total amount of RAM installed, even if it is not a 100% match, as it gets that information from the SPD chips on the modules.

I still think that this is a memory incompatibility issue, given the 2 year difference in manufacturing date.

Perhaps someone else can offer an opinion on this, as this is the only thing that I think it could be.

 

[Rokhjin]

While it definitely could be a possibility I think it would be strange that the newest (smaller) one would work fine with an old 1 GB stick from 2006 yet causes errors with the newer 2GB stick from 2009.

 

[Dwarf]

Tolerance limitations. The 1GB stick is able to work with either of the 2GB sticks because the tolerance differences between the 2 sticks falls within an acceptable limit to enable both modules to work satisfactorily. However, the tolerance difference between the two 2GB sticks probably falls outside this limit, hence the problem.

When the memory manufacturer is preparing multi-module kits for dual/triple mode, they are in fact looking to match modules that have as low a tolerance difference between them as possible. The main reason why modules are rejected for this purpose, despite them being 100% working as an individual, is because the tolerances between them are too great.

 

[seavixen32]

I couldn't find anything on the site that said it was incompatible with 4GB of RAM.

That being said, I'm also having trouble with Realtek after I upgraded to 64bit Windows which gives me access to all 4GB of my RAM, instead of the usual 3.3GB.

I'm just wondering if the RAM issue is a red herring. You say you've gone from 32 to 64-bit Windows so have you checked in Device Manager that your Realtek audio drivers are up-to-date?

Is it possible you need updated chipset drivers?

 

[Dwarf]

You can't upgrade (or downgrade) from 32-bit to 64-bit (or vice-versa) because of the difference in system architecture. Either way, it has to be a clean installation.

The drivers from Realtek include both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, and I use the same package (only downloaded once) with Vista, W7, and Windows 8 both 32-bit and 64-bit editions without any problems.

You have a valid point about chipset drivers, and it would be worth checking to see if they are upto date.

 

[Britton30]

I think it may be time to run Windows memory test on each RAM stick you have. It would seem the new one may be toast. It is very odd it is a different size.
I have Realtek HD audio with 8GB RAM.
Dwarf's though on the age difference is valid too, even though they are the "same". with evolution the architecture changes and may not be compatible with older modules.

 

[stormy13]

It could also be that due to the chpset on the motherboard, ViaP4M890 from those screen shots,

VIA P4M890: Providing Flexibility and Advanced Connectivity for the Intel® Processor Platform - VIA Technologies, Inc.

only supports up to 4 GB max. It could also be as simple as that it just doesn't like having 4 GB installed.

The computer detects both sticks of RAM and windows 7 is definitely telling me that all 4 GB are there (though, of course, only 3 GB is usable)

There is a reason for that too and it has to do with the max 4 GB memory support,

The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed

Makes it that once install the max supported it doesn't matter whether you install 32 bit or 64 bit, as the devices still need address space and it has to come from somewhere.

 

[pooch]

This problem wouldn't have anything to do with the motherboard only supporting 2 GB RAM? At least that is what I am finding when I search.
edit I have found more info on a German website that it is a known problem that although it is possible to get 4 GB of RAM to work with this MB that the sound chip no longer works.
This is not then a memory mismatch problem. Have you thought to buy a cheap sound card?

 

[Rokhjin]

Well, the MB works fine with the 3 GB I'm using right now so, obviously, it supports more than 2 GB.

However, while I have thought about buying a cheap soundcard I thought I'd ask if someone had a different solution in case the soundcard wasn't the problem (in which case I would've wasted money).

 

[Britton30]

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Well, it would appear from the CPU-z snips, you have a Cuba MS 7301 motherboard.

 

[pooch]

Well, the MB works fine with the 3 GB I'm using right now so, obviously, it supports more than 2 GB.

Works and supports are two different things, it also works with 4GB, just not completely.

However, while I have thought about buying a cheap soundcard I thought I'd ask if someone had a different solution in case the soundcard wasn't the problem (in which case I would've wasted money).

I won't guarantee it, but the chances are good that a sound card would work.

 

[Rokhjin]

Well, I've ordered a cheap soundcard. If it works, hooray! If it doesn't work at least I'll have a dedicated soundcard now... And 3GB of RAM which isn't necessarily bad, really.

 

[pooch]

Thanks for the update I hope it works for you. Let us know how you get on

 

[Rokhjin]

Well, my new soundcard arrived today (and, obviously, I've picked it up). Installed it, installed both 2GB sticks again and... It works perfectly! =D
I'd like to thank all of you for the help you've provided in my search for an answer.

 

[Britton30]

glad you have it working Rokhjin!