Solved Solution to RAM useage

[delamite]

I just had a thought ,
this problem may have been addressed and solved already, I just want to throw in my 2 cents.

I have Win7 x 64 running, and have tried different makes of RAM, but can only get 4 gigs to be used on the Os regardless of how much I add. Have tried all solutions from many forums none have worked.

This may the the prob- Since I upgraded from XP in 32 bit, Win7 is only going to give me 4 gigs even in 64 bit enviroment because I upgraded from a 32 bit enviroment. The only way I can prove my theory is to wipe the HD and start over, which I am not prepared to do because of the work involved backing up and reloading data. Not too mention the possible problems with verification.


It is the only answer that seems to make any sense.

 

[Northernsoul55]

Hi delamite,

Interesting theory.

I have done quite a bit of research on this issue, as I too was a victim of this.

Have you looked in Resource Monitor under the Memory TAB to see what RAM is being used and where?

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/12523-resource-monitor.html

Sometimes the RAM is Hardware Reserved, might be worth a look to see?

The method that worked for me was :

Open msconfig:

1. Click the Win+R key combination to open the run dialog box. Or Start and type Run in search box.
2. Type msconfig.exe
3. Click either OK or the Enter key to run the command
4. Once the System Configuration Windows opens, select the Boot tab.
5. Click Advance Options and uncheck the boxes for "Number of Processors" and "Maximum Memory".
6. Click OK then on the Configuration Window, click Apply. Reboot and check RAM status.

Also badly seated/dirty RAM (Check for dust etc), or badly seated CPU, whereby the pins
are not making correct contact with the socket, may cause this problem, check both.

BIOS settings?!? Is the Memory Remap feature in Bios set to enabled, as this too can
be responsible for this error? (If you have this feature)

Hope this helps.

cheers

Dave

 

[delamite]

thx for reply,
but none of those fixed the problem. And I do not have the memory remap in my bios settings. Like I said, have tried several different brand RAM and does not affect it.
The resource monitor also shows only 4 gigs of RAM just as the bios does.

Another interesting test would be to load a Distro from DVD, and see if all the RAM added is being used. I don not know what this would prove I guess, except that the Mboard is capable of using the installed RAM?

 

[Layback Bear]

delamite please post one of these. So we can see what Windows is doing with your ram.


By Brink
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[delamite]

ok,
here you go, I would really like to get to the bottom of this prob.

It should also be noted my MB has (2) DDR3 slots, and I currently have 2x6 gig sticks (12 gig total) of Mushkin RAM in those slots.

I have also tried 2x4 gig Corsair sticks, with the same result.....only 4 gigs used?

 

[Layback Bear]

Well you are correct, Windows 7 is only seeing 4 gigs of ram. In order to investigate farther we need your system specs as complete as possible. These two things will help you.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

Speccy - System Information - Free Download

 

[Northernsoul55]

Am I going mad or did that screenshot of yours I just looked at say:

RAM Available: 11026MB free

Now it is changed to 2948MB free

:shock:

 

[Layback Bear]

Northernsoul55 what picture are you referring to?
Post #4 is my system
Post #5 is delamite specs.

 

[delamite]

here come the pics ....

 

[delamite]

more...

 

[delamite]

more yet ...

 

[delamite]

might as well show this also

 

[delamite]

and post this ....

this is the specs on my MB, from reading it I do not understand if they mean 8 gigs total or 8 gigs for each slot? does not matter, i have 2x4 or 2x6 memory configurations i can use.

 

[Layback Bear]

Post #13
System memory = total memory of the system.
Please look in the lower left corner of my post (My System Specs)
That is what we need and the place to install it.
I think the problem we/you are having is the understanding of terms.
That is why we need system specs display properly so we can try to eliminate such problems.

Please read and follow the instruction of this again.

System Info - See Your System Specs

 

[delamite]

OK Ladyback & Northern ,
I think this is what you want.....
I had became busy yesterday so I could not reply.

 

[marsmimar]

and post this ....

this is the specs on my MB, from reading it I do not understand if they mean 8 gigs total or 8 gigs for each slot? does not matter, i have 2x4 or 2x6 memory configurations i can use.

Sorry for jumping in.

Each slot can handle a max of 4GB for a total of 8GB. I believe earlier you said you had 6GB modules installed in each slot. That configuration wouldn't be supported. I think I remember hearing or reading that exceeding the maximum RAM (in this case 4GB per slot) could have an adverse affect on the mobo. It could fail to boot the computer, it could "reset" the RAM max, it could work but only record the max amount supported by the mobo, etc.

Again, my apologies for jumping in and no disrespect intended to Layback or Northernsoul.

 

[delamite]

oh no,
I appreciate any and all help. I chose to run with the (2) 4-gig sticks of corsair, for this Mb. I did notice that the Corsair memory runs much cooler than the Mushkin.

 

[Layback Bear]

marsmimar not problem at all. You are welcome as far as I'm concerned to join the fun.
-----------------------
delamite your specs show that you have 4 sticks 2 gigs each installed which equals 8 gigs of total system memory.
Is that correct?
Are all sticks of ram matched. Same part #, same speed and the same volts. All DDR-3 or all DDR-2.
Your motherboard specs.

DDR3:

2 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 8 GB of system memory (Note 1)
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for DDR3 1333(O.C.)/1066/800 MHz memory modules

DDR2:

2 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 8 GB of system memory (Note 1)
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for DDR2 1066(O.C.)/800/667 MHz memory modules

(Note: Mixed mode, populating DDR2 and DDR3 memory modules simulta- neously is not supported. Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest supported memory speeds and memory modules.)
------------------
The reason I ask all these question is because I'm trying to make 2+2=4.
Is your motherboard set at default. No over clocking.
Windows 7 receives the information on how much ram is installed from the motherboard.
Thanks for filling in your system specs.

 

[Layback Bear]

This program and a picture might help.

Speccy - System Information - Free Download

 

[delamite]

ok here we are ....

RAM is not mixed, and is a matched pair of DDR3 @ 4 gigs each