Solved 16gigabytes installed only 3.95 usable

[Layback Bear]

Motherboard memory specs.

Motherboard - The world leader in motherboard design

DDR3 Memory
DDR3 1066/1333/1600/1866/2133*(*OC)
Memory Channel
Dual
DIMM Slots
4
Max Memory (GB)
32

I would like to know exactly what ram is installed.

Did you do all the things I recommended in my post #13

Verify that your memory meets the specs of your motherboard and cpu.
Then check your motherboard manual to verify the ram is installed properly.
Set your bios to default.

 

[Layback Bear]

You can use this tutorial by Kari to see your system information.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/311593-speccy-publish-snapshot-your-system-specs.html

 

[Dmasterman]

Yeah, all those things in msconfig > boot options >advance options

all are unticked

I don't think I have them uninstalled incorrectly, after all if I did, wouldn't they not even be detected or wouldn't the PC make that loud bleeping noise?

anyway--

"Ram setting way off. Timing, speed, voltage."

How would I do this?

I'll try resetting the BIOS and let you know what happens

P.S. all my ram is the same and i checked the mother board site and the ram I got is compatible.

I actually bought NEW ram, two fo the same kind PNY XLR8 DDR3 pc3-14900

 

[Dmasterman]

(Unfortunate) UPDATE:

So I reset the bios and I got a unique surprise. It for a few precious moments, the system recognized it as 16 Gigbytes of ram.

Unfortunately as I began to try and run my computer normally it proceeded to randomly restart itself.. After booting back up I tried to use it again, and this time it shut down.. yet again. On the third try a blue screen of death showed up and disappeared before I could do much. After several more computer restarts, the PC began to work again... unfortunately it is now down to 16 gigs of ram, 7.95 usable ram.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
That's twice as much as before :/
Review all of the prior suggestions to check and compare them to now.

 

[DavidE]

I don't know if this was already suggested, but if i saw this behavior i would run Memory Tests.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

 

[Dmasterman]

unfortunately I can't get MEMtest to work. I can't seem to burn it property as it just has the damnest time trying to work with this PC. :\

 

[ThrashZone]

Use Clean boot,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html
Click Start and type in the search box,
msconfig
Click on the suggestion on top or hit the Enter key,
Go to the Startup section and take some screen shots for a complete list,
Go to the Services section and on the bottom left Check the box to Hide All Microsoft services,
Repeat the screen shots,

 

[DavidE]

unfortunately I can't get MEMtest to work. I can't seem to burn it property as it just has the damnest time trying to work with this PC. :\

Maybe a bad RAM stick, or Motherboard RAM slot is bad.
Try using 1 RAM stick in different MB RAM slots to see if you can get MEMtest to work.

There is also a Windows Startup option (F8 ?) to test RAM that way.
Give Windows memory test a try and see what happens.

 

[Layback Bear]

DavidE has a good suggestion with RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Try going through the tutorial again. It does work. Take your time.

Also if you can, remove all ram modules and reinstall again. Making sure they are fully seated.
Once again take a look in you motherboard manual for the exact instructions.
When done show us another picture like in your post #19.

Could you let us know what cpu cooler you are using. Reason I ask is I have had problems with installing a cpu cooler to tight and warping the motherboard ever so slightly that the ram would act erratically.

 

[GokAy]

Did you try to actually load auto-RAM timings and check them against what they are supposed to be according to the manufacturer's specs? Do you have any overclocking software that would be changing RAM timings? Would they run ok if you downclock them?

 

[Dmasterman]

Alright, I finally figured out the problem. I was using a corrupt RAM stick, with each new ram I got. Yep, a series of unfortunate luck. When I went to buy new ram, one stick was busted, when I returned it, and bought another, it came with yet another broken/non functioning stick. It took a lot of shopping and returning and the help of a pc tech to solve this. :\



Thanks for the help and suggestions guys! Wouldn't have gotten here otherwise.

 

[AddRAM]

What brand and model was it ?

 

[Dmasterman]

msi 970a-g43

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi
I believe AddRam was referring to the ram not the mother board as to what product are you using.