8.00GB and only 3.99GB usable

blueyedsamurai said:

I had my i5 OC'd but it was unstable so just went back to defaults.

I recently took out my CPU to reapply some thermal paste and then reinstalled it.

My PC now posts then reboots and then starts normally but its only using 4GB of ram.

I checked msconfig and maximum memory isn't checked.

I tried resetting the cmos on the MB and I also changed the cmos battery but that did nothing.

Every stick works when I try them individually but they only seem to work in slot 3 otherwise the computer wont post if its in another slot.


When I reinstalled the CPU I dont think I installed it correctly and may have bent some pins on the motherboards CPU slot?

You might have knocked a memory stick loose. Reinstall both memory chips. If you still have this problem, take out one memory stick and leave the other in. Does the computer work normally? If so, take that chip out and insert the other one into the same slot that the good chip was in. This is either a RAM or RAM slot problem. Also, run Memtest 86 on your memory: http://download.cnet.com/Memtest86/3...-10524193.html

Note: This CNET download link is a direct download, not their bad installer.

HEre's the tutorial for memtest.

RAM (memory) test:

This will require memtest on a bootable CD or USB stick.


RAM - Test with Memtest86+

You may have reinstalled the CPU cocked or not perfectly square in the socket. It's not necessary to take the CPU out of the socket to re-apply paste, it can be cleaned in-socket.

I'm not sure why one would remove the cpu to apply new compound. If you just removed the cooler then their shouldn't be a problem with bent pins.
Most likely you have jarred the ram modules.

After following the instructions that windude99 and Britton30 have posted could you post one of these. The reason is because your system specs is this.

Memory 4GB DDR3

and this

blueyedsamurai said:

and this

Already tried that its mentioned in my post, managed to fix it so all good.

I know you mentioned that you checked there before but I wanted to make sure they were like the picture I posted.
I'm not sure what you mean by

managed to fix it so all good

Could you post the pictures I requested.
Here is the best way to do it on this forum.

Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums