windows 7 not using all 8gb of ram

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  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 64-bit
       #1

    windows 7 not using all 8gb of ram


    ok, i just built my brother a new comp.

    AMD Phenom II X4 965
    G-Skill 4x2gb 1600MHz DDR3 (but the board sees it as 1333MHz, need to manually clock but too lazy)
    300 GB laptop hdd (salvaged out of broken laptop and mounted with a special thingy)
    EVGA GTX260 core 216
    MSI 980a motherboard

    I just installed Windows 7 64 bit on it and came across a problem. windows is seeing 8gb but only 2gb is usable. After a bios update, windows now notices 3.3gb usable and 8gb installed. I've tried going into msconfig and checked the max mem and unchecked... no difference. Ive also disable the onboard vga through the bios completely so i know no ram is being dedicated to that. I really don't know what the problem is. I have the same set up but different VGA and is using 8gb. we also checked to see if the sticks were some what bad and they all were fine. so all i can figure is maybe there is a bad mem controller or something needs patched in windows 7 or bad ram slots. Any suggestion would be great. Thanks in advance.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,139
    Systems 1 and 2: Windows 7 Enterprise x64, Win 8 Developer
       #2

    When you boot your computer, do you see 8 GB listed in the bios?

    If no, remove memory sticks and clear area of dust. Insert one stick at a time and see how much memory is recognized in bios.

    Is the memory identical or different?

    Please check the model of your mobo. I don't see 980a for MSI, but I do see a NForce 980a chipset.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 9,606
    Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
       #3

    If you run CPU-Z, see what it shows for total memory & for each slot.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails windows 7 not using all 8gb of ram-cpu_z_memory.jpg   windows 7 not using all 8gb of ram-cpu_z_memory_01.jpg  
    windows 7 not using all 8gb of ram Attached Files
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    The bios is seeing it 8gb in all. And ill have to check that cpu-z later im not at my brother house at the moment. And the hardware is brand new so no dust :)

    heres the link to the mobo from newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-236-_-Product
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,139
    Systems 1 and 2: Windows 7 Enterprise x64, Win 8 Developer
       #5

    make sure you have the correct voltage for the memory
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 579
    Windows 7 64-bit Home
       #6

    the first thing you should do is carefully remove and reseat the ram, ensuring that you hear the "click" when they are in the slot

    the second thing you should do is be sure that you have 4 good sticks of ram using RAM - Test with Memtest86+ (check your memory slots at the same time)

    once you determine that everything is good and working hardware, then move onto software solutions
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,963
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
       #7

    I just want to point out that new doesn't necessarily mean clean. Still try to clean the slots with a can of compressed air.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 205
    Windows 8 Professional
       #8

    depending on video card and BIOS they may be sharing your ram.

    In the BIOS make sure you disable any "integrated GPU" ...this can free up around 256-512mb possibly.

    Check your video card next as this can be using 1 or 2 gig's of ram
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 579
    Windows 7 64-bit Home
       #9

    go through all of these suggestions and check each of these parameters. then boot again and post a snip of your resmon (start, run, resmon) also post the cpu-z showing your memory
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    When we put the ram in we made sure that we seated it in and heard the click. Also i disabled the onboard vga through the bios but idk if it relocated the ram to usable but i dont think it would use 4+ gb of ram :). I plan on doing those tests to the ram and checking the voltage on monday. Im thinking that maybe the voltage wasnt set right by the motherboard as it is set to auto in the bios. will update when i have those shots or fixed it.
      My Computer


 
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