HUGE problem with Memory Detection

[xxking]

i am not taking anything as an insult

i have updated the bios, have cleared cmos have done all of that

 

[Wordsworth]

From what I can gather you've:
1. Reinstalled Windows
2. Updated BIOS
3. Cleared CMOS
4. Removed one set of memory
5. Set motherboard to defaults

I'm assuming when you removed memory you tried all sticks in different slots as well.

When you run Device Manager as Administrator does your machine show any conflicts? Do you see any problems reported in the View>Resources by connection>Memory?

Did you remove the CPU and check the pins, reinstall, etc.?

 

[xxking]

I have not tried putting the sticks in different slots as I am following my motherboards manual where if one set is used i am going to use slots 2,4,6. Also I dont believe theres any point in switching them in different slots as one set takes out 2 gigs when I take the other one out and when both of them are in it takes out 4 gigs (12 installed 8 usable)..

I did not remove the CPU and am 100% sure nothing is wrong over there as the computer has been barely even moved around, cpu hasnt been overclocked in speeds higher than 3.2Ghz and that was not for long until I put it back in stock settings and that was about a year ago when I first built it. Temperatures of the CPU are perfectly fine - 30 degrees C max during the summer and about 24 during the winter. I also intend to believe that if there is a problem with the CPU then the computer shouldnt be doing the beep when it starts up but rather making weird beeps or a long beep or something of that kind

As far as I can see - device manager doesnt show any problems over there it all looks perfectly fine. I will provide a pic if necessary once i get back home as I need to leave right now

 

[Wordsworth]

I have not tried putting the sticks in different slots as I am following my motherboards manual where if one set is used i am going to use slots 2,4,6. Also I dont believe theres any point in switching them in different slots as one set takes out 2 gigs when I take the other one out and when both of them are in it takes out 4 gigs (12 installed 8 usable)..

The point in trying different sticks in different slots though is to see if you have a bad stick, or a bad memory slot. To do so you really need to try all possible combos your board will allow and still boot.

I did not remove the CPU and am 100% sure nothing is wrong over there as the computer has been barely even moved around, cpu hasnt been overclocked in speeds higher than 3.2Ghz and that was not for long until I put it back in stock settings and that was about a year ago when I first built it. Temperatures of the CPU are perfectly fine - 30 degrees C max during the summer and about 24 during the winter. I also intend to believe that if there is a problem with the CPU then the computer shouldnt be doing the beep when it starts up but rather making weird beeps or a long beep or something of that kind

Many have had their systems boot with no abnormalites in temps or BIOS beeps and yet have this problem and resolved it after reinstalling the CPU. The first instance I came across of this problem while doing research before building mine was in a review at Newegg where the reviewer had this problem and resolved it by reinstalling the CPU. I've read the same in other cases since where the system runs fine but memory loss exists. Since the memory controller is on the chip it's sensitive if the install is somehow slightly skewed.

If I was determined (and I would be because something is wrong) to resolve this I would knock down all possibilities. If after trying the memory, slots, and CPU route the problem is still not resolved then it's either get a new motherboard or wait to see if Windows 8 will solve the problem as you suggest you may.

The problem really comes down to a conflict between Windows 7 and the BIOS or devices in your system as Windows 7 is reserving alot of memory for hardware because of something the BIOS/devices are reporting to it. That is why I suspected the BIOS was skewed.

 

[xxking]

First of thanks for all the help.

In order for me to try and reinstall the CPU it requires buying a thermal compound remover and then reapplying the thermal paste correct? or can I just take it out and put it back in ?
I cant really see what has gone wrong in the installation process of the CPU as everything has been working fine until July and then suddenly it wouldnt use all of the 12 gigs.. I used the instructions from the corsair website on how to install the H50 - but either way i suppose trying wont hurt..
I will try different memory combinations over the weekend...

if nothing helps then i will have to wait for windows 8.. getting a new motherboard isn't going to happen.. nothing guarantees me that the problem wont happen again.. i am better off waiting for the 2011 socket with the 6 core cpus to come out

 

[Wordsworth]

Q

You're welcome for the help. We all need it at some time as these machines can be cantankerous and befuddling at times whether the hardware or the software.

I hope you have some thermal paste left. To remove thermal paste I've always used Q-tips and 91% Isopropyl alcohol. You can find both at any drug or grocery store. There are videos at Youtube for cleaning thermal paste off CPUs.

Relax and do everything slowly and methodically. I don't know what Corsair says about installing the H50 but when you're just about done you've got four screws to fasten down and you want those to screw down evenly. In other words, turn one screw say one 180 degree turn, then do the screw diagonally across from it the same one turn, then do the third screw one turn, then the one diagonally across from it. Repeat the same pattern until it is tightened down according to how Corsair recommends. This even pattern besides spreading the thermal paste evenly might also make the difference if indeed your CPU install is slightly skewed and causing the problem. You'll end with an even pressure down on the CPU.

 

[Layback Bear]

xxking try this in comd. prompt/admin.
winsat mem
My new computer shows over 12 gigs using this method but Resource Monitor only show a little over 8 gigs. The only thing I can think of Windows 7 is causing this.

 

[xxking]

I am sorry for my late response, ive been very very busy lately. I have tried all you said CPU looks perfect socket looks perfect memory tried all combinations possible its all the same.

Layback - that didnt change anything when i click right mouse on computer. what i do see now is that when i click on computer where it shows me all drives - it shows 12 gigs.

 

[Wordsworth]

This is a difficult one to solve as many have found, unfortunately yourself included. I wonder what the Developer Preview version of Windows 8 would show for your Total and Hardware Reserved memory amounts.

 

[Layback Bear]

I have solved the double boot. When my mother board came back from Asus the Bios was 702. I went back to 602 no help. Then went back to 501 and the double boot went away. I no longer think it's Windows 7. In all three of the Bios I have used; all of them show 8 Gigs. If the Bios only see 8 Gigs that's all Windows will see. In a couple of days when I get in the mood I going to send this motherboard back again. I have been waiting thinking Asus would come up with a Bios update to take care of this problem many people are having.

 

[xxking]

I bought my EVGA x58 FTW3 right when it came out, have not updated it since then, updated it like 2-3 weeks ago updated again done all the updates possible with no change. I still believe its a windows 7 problem and I can't think of anything that would change my mind other than windows 8 showing me 8 gigs.. i dont know if its just me or people arent using vista anymore but I have read many posts about this problem and none of them had anyone with windows vista having the problem.. everyone was with windows 7

as i mentioned before, ive had a double boot a couple of months back and back then i was worried i talked to evga and have been assured that this is perfectly normal.. then the problem just went away by itself

 

[Layback Bear]

IMHO double boots is not normal. Have you ever had it happen before on other motherboards. I haven't. I'm as positive as I can be if the Bios doesn't see the ram Windows won't see the ram.

 

[Wordsworth]

xxking, per Layback's comment, I've gone through the thread again and don't see where you've said what the BIOS shows. Does it show all 12 gigs or no? If it does then you might try installing the Windows 8 Developer Preview if you have a partition you can install it to. Check out the Windows 8 Forums for info on installing. We may be a year away from the final Win 8 but this could show itself to be interesting since nothing else has worked for you.

If the BIOS does not show all 12 gigs then we're back to hardware, i.e. motherboard.

 

[xxking]

it seems as i have 8388608 in there.. so it may actually be a hardware issue, what i cant figure out is how come layback, myself and other people have the same problem? so this is actually a chipset problem from what i can figure out and it is an intel problem and not a windows one ?
cpu pins or socket arent damaged, all memory modules checked by both of us layback even sent his mobo back and forth and it is still the same..
either way, i dont have the time to take my computer apart send it then wait for it to arrive.. i guess ill have to live with it..

 

[Wordsworth]

xxking and Layback Bear, you have different make motherboards, but who makes your BIOS?

 

[xxking]

I have a pheonix bios

 

[Wordsworth]

A search for BIOS problems particular to Phoenix and this platform turns up nothing really. People with my motherboard (Asus P6T) and a American Megatrends BIOS have had the same problem anyway. I looked up the approved memory list for your board and the modules you have for it are on EVGA's approved list. Problem is, some have had the problem with approved memory, and solved it with modules not on the list. Go figure.

Something is in conflict (BIOS/memory controller) as I've said previously and if you tried to track it down, say by replacing the motherboard, you'd probably still have the problem as some have done this and still not resolved it. Others have replaced the memory modules and not solved it. Replacing both the board and the memory modules probably would solve it, but then obviously you may as well throw in a new CPU and have an all new computer.

It stinks but it looks like you're stuck with it until you do decide to build a new box.

 

[xxking]

What i am wondering though is what guarantees me that a new build wouldnt have the same problems.. do you know by any chance if anyone with the p67 platform has it or is it an x58 disease ? it really does stink and as I previously said I am done upgrading this computer especially after what you just said that this is a conflict between bios and mem controller and not an issue that can be resolved by simply waiting for windows 8..

I would like to also ask you something - does this problem provide a cause to problems to come or can the computer function like this for years ?, game wise I dont notice any difference only when using programs that require lots of ram is where I see the difference. why am I asking this - because I am a gamer and I dont want to be throwing money in the air for new games to come out and later turn my computer on and it would be not functional if you know what I mean..

and once again thanks for all the help seems like my conclusions were changing and being wrong over and over

 

[Wordsworth]

What i am wondering though is what guarantees me that a new build wouldnt have the same problems.. do you know by any chance if anyone with the p67 platform has it or is it an x58 disease ? it really does stink and as I previously said I am done upgrading this computer especially after what you just said that this is a conflict between bios and mem controller and not an issue that can be resolved by simply waiting for windows 8..

I would like to also ask you something - does this problem provide a cause to problems to come or can the computer function like this for years ?, game wise I dont notice any difference only when using programs that require lots of ram is where I see the difference. why am I asking this - because I am a gamer and I dont want to be throwing money in the air for new games to come out and later turn my computer on and it would be not functional if you know what I mean..

and once again thanks for all the help seems like my conclusions were changing and being wrong over and over

A new build say with the P67 chipset may not have this problem, but keep in mind that electronics can be problematic. A quick search (using "intel p67 chipset total available memory less than installed") on the P67 chipset doesn't turn up anything other than the usual 32bit operating system limitation, while changing P67 to X58 in the search turns up numerous instances of the problem. Looking through Newegg reviews I don't see mention of this problem, even though both the X58 and the P67 have integrated memory controllers. Electronics of any kind can be problematic but the majority of builds done with any motherboard will go well.

To your question about future failure of this board, it may run for years like this. What bothers me about your case though is you've said that it showed 12GB when you installed the second set, then later lost memory down to 10GB, then 8GB. This could mean the controller is failing and whether it will completely fail or continue to recognize the remaining channels only time will tell. If the computer begins to have many crashes, BSODs, then it could be the controller is continuing to fail, or one day it may simply not allow a boot.

Because of what you said about the memory going down it could be the controller itself, but I'd keep an eye on the EVGA site for any new BIOS they may put up for this board. I haven't completely given up on the idea that the BIOS itself is skewed and maybe an update flash of it later will just set it right again.

If I were in this situation and did not wish to spend cash to build new, I'd run it, and enjoy it. 8GB of memory runs Windows 7 very well (setting aside the understandable anger that you have 12GB). It may well run until you're really ready to build again.

 

[stormy13]

What bothers me about your case though is you've said that it showed 12GB when you installed the second set, then later lost memory down to 10GB, then 8GB. This could mean the controller is failing and whether it will completely fail or continue to recognize the remaining channels only time will tell.

If it is the IMC then changing the motherboard won't do anything as it is integrated into the CPU.