Installed new RAM, shows 8GB installed but still says (2.75GB)usable.

[dijon6444]

So before it used to say 4GB installed (2.75 Usable) now I got new RAM (4x2GB DDR2 800MHz RAM) from CEX, installed, (all are same speed and type and brand) turned on PC and well says 8GB installed, (2.75GB usable). I then opened up task manager, yup 2.75GB is max as it could go. I tried the msconfig solution, did not work, I tried taking out the RAM, mixing with old ones, reseating the, nope nothing. I tried taking CPU out and putting it back again, still same. Went into BIOS, says I should have 7168mb RAM memory avaliable. Unfortunatly my BIOS does not have the option to remap memory location or any of that. I basically tried everything but here is a funny thing I found out. You know when you open up resource monitor? Well I opened it up, went to memory tab and get this, it said "349MB free", but the weird thing was it said "4354MB reserved for hardware" and it keeps saying this no matter what. Should'nt it say for "reserved hardware2 max 100MB? Now I dont know if this is the cause of the problem but it could be. If any one could answer me with a solution, I would be very grateful.
Down here are the specs:
MEDION MT7 490G Desktop
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66GHz
8GB DDR2 PC2-6400 800MHz RAM, all sticks are the same (2.75GB usable)
300WATT FSP PSU
750 HDD Storage (500GB one drive, 250GB the other, No SSD)
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
ASUS Nvidia GeForce GT 240 GPU
MS-7358 Motherboard

 

[samuria]

Are you sure your running a 64bit o/s as its giving the symptoms of a 32bit windows

 

[dijon6444]

Trust me it is, it says there even, 64 bit operating system. And in the System Information says, x64 based system.

 

[samuria]

A way forward would be to boot a live linux dvd and see what that sees that will tell us if its a windows problem or hardware problem Try Ubuntu before you install it | Ubuntu tutorials

 

[dijon6444]

So what do you reckon this will tell us?

 

[dijon6444]

Ok I just did a Live chat with Microsoft. They did a remote access diagnosis, nothing is wrong with the RAM, they said the problem is that I need to update my BIOS. They said MSI will have more info. MSI does not have live chat, I tried emailing them, "page 505 something went wrong" error came up. I will call them tomorrow as tonight it is a bit late. But do I need any sort of disk to update the BIOS? Or can I just download it from MSI and install it here on Windows?

 

[samuria]

Its a funny chipset which is 32 bit but with sort of addons to emulate 64bit which could be a bios setting or maybe bios update. thatswhat a live linux will tell us it doesnt effect the c drive it boots all from dvd if that say all the ram its windows if it doesnt then its bios

 

[dijon6444]

Ok can you guide me thorugh what do once I download it on a USB and boot it into my PC?

 

[Megahertz07]

There are many Linux brands. I like Lubuntu. Lubuntu
Download lubuntu-18.10 -64bits iso.
Burn a DVD or, with Rufus, make a USB boot able flash disk.
Rufus-3.4 portable

To find out what you have on your computer download Free Download HWiNFO Sofware | Installer & Portable for Windows, DOS
Extract and run (don't need to install). Post here an image of hwinfo window.

 

[dijon6444]

Ok I just ordered a USB, when it arrives I will try this method, thanks alot for the guide I really do appreciate it, I will keep you updated soon.

 

[johnhoh]

some things to try:

to check current bios level do

start > run > cmd > enter > wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion > enter

the final bios level for your board is 3.3. Get it here

Support For Q35MDO | Motherboard - The world leader in motherboard design | MSI Global

note that memory that is not actually validated by MSI for the board can produce hardware reserved issues. Here are the dimms that msi tested for your board

Support For Q35MDO | Motherboard - The world leader in motherboard design | MSI Global

here is a video by msi telling you how to update your bios

MSI-How to flash Motherboard BIOS - YouTube

you may just need to enable memory remapping in bios. Look under advanced>chipset

 

[dijon6444]

Oh ok but by flashing the BIOS will it then update? Also is 8GB on a USB plenty for it? And last question, will my data be wiped if I flash it, and will this method work 100% and my RAM to 7GB instead of "2.75GB usable"?
Sorry for so many questions I just wanna be sure.

 

[samuria]

If you flash the bios once done you need to clear the CMOS by removing the battery or by jumper you will need to then reset the BIOS and you could find extra settings. It doesn't wipe anything from the hd its a very small update size wise

 

[dijon6444]

Ahh ok, this might sound stupid but CMOS? I have no cluse what it is and the battery I have never taken out in my life, do you have to do it to make it work?

 

[johnhoh]

when you flash the bios the cmos resets. Cmos is just the physical location of your bios. I see no reason to remove the battery. Just follow the video from earlier

 

[johnhoh]

Oh ok but by flashing the BIOS will it then update?

flashing the bios is updating the bios

Also is 8GB on a USB plenty for it?

way more than enough

And last question, will my data be wiped if I flash it, and will this method work 100% and my RAM to 7GB instead of "2.75GB usable"?

there is no way to know if flashing the bios will fix the problem. Based on the fact that you have gotten 2.75GB with two different sets of memory dimms, first thing I would check is

start > run > msconfig > boot > advanced > make sure maximum memory is UNchecked

 

[johnhoh]

what bios level are you on now? Post #11 tells how to know

 

[dijon6444]

what bios level are you on now? Post #11 tells how to know

Ok thanks for all the help, my current BIOS level (I just check using the Post11# for help), it is "6.00PG".

 

[johnhoh]

one more thing. You said your motherboard is an MS-7358. A search of the MSI website shows that this can be one of two different motherboards, so you need to be sure which one you have. The best way to know is to get a flashlight and physically inspect the board. Here's a pic of a version 2 of Q35MDO board. Its better to refer to your board as an MSI Q35MDO V1 or an MSI Q35MDO V2 than as an MS-7358, since MS-7358 is not as specific.


Digging into this a little further, you should really be looking at the Medion website for your bios. I can't figure out what model you have though since the MT7 does not appear in a search of the Medion link below. I recommend you look up your product number and see where it takes you...

Medion Site
MEDION UK - Driver

 

[samuria]

The cmos battery in the photo above is just bove the botom green frame round black holder some bios upadatesmay work but with a lot you have to clear the cmos