Unusable RAM

[successgold]

Hi,

I'm using 64 bit Windows 7 Ultimate. My motherboard is an ASRock G31M-GS R2.0. In the manual it says it can take up to 8GB (2 x 4GB) of DDR2 RAM. I recently purchased a set of 2 Kingston sticks of RAM of 4GB each. When I installed them and started up everything appears to work fine, but when I check my System Properties under "Installed memory (RAM)" it says "4.00 GB (3.19 GB usuable)". Please can someone tell me how to use the ful 8GB?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello success mate some syte specs would be very helpful because all we know is you have Windows 7 as the OS so we don't know what we are working with
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

Now what I would like to see is that you use this ditty of mine and send a pic / snip of the RAM like mine I have attached.
Using HW Info
You can test the volts on the PSU with HW Info HWiNFO, HWiNFO32/64 - Download < download the right bit version and close the right hand window select Sensors and scroll down to the power section where you will see what the volts are doing see my pic.
The original right hand window shows the machine running and is handy for that but for looking at the components in some detail close it and use the main left hand side panel
FOR OTHER COMPONENTS
Open each small square with + in it on the section the components are in and then click on the individual component/s (it will highlight in blue) - in the right hand side will appear all sorts of details including brands speeds and other essential info that particular device. See pic for example.
Just use the latter part.

The other thing you can do is open the Task Manager > right click on the taskbar > Start task manager > in the windoe that opens click on Performance and see what is happening there.

 

[doctore]

Most likely one of the sticks is not working - you either did not seat it properly in the slot or it's defective. Make sure both sticks are in (should hear the clicking sound). If after this it still shows 4GB, try starting the computer with just one of the sticks, if it boots fine, try the same with the other stick.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yes mate the doctor has a point there and why we need to see what those two suggestions I made come up with. If you like just the Task Manager one will show if the sticks are indeed installed. The other problem may be that one stick is cactus and not even going to function at all.

 

[gldndragn]

Well, I don't have your full sys specs, BUT, that motherboard has integrated graphics, audio, and network. Unless you have a dedicated graphics card, that "lost" memory most likely is used as graphics memory buy the integrated graphics controller. In that case, you might be able to adjust the video memory amount in bios. Other than that, you would need a dedicated card to have "all" of your memory. Please follow the suggestion by ICIT2LOL to post your FULL system specs. Hope this helps you.


No disrespect to the others who are helping, but I think the problem is as simple as I have stated. I usually start with the simple, kinda obvious, things first...then go from there.

Have a great day guys.

 

[doctore]

Well, I don't have your full sys specs, BUT, that motherboard has integrated graphics, audio, and network. Unless you have a dedicated graphics card, that "lost" memory most likely is used as graphics memory buy the integrated graphics controller. In that case, you might be able to adjust the video memory amount in bios. Other than that, you would need a dedicated card to have "all" of your memory. Please follow the suggestion by ICIT2LOL to post your FULL system specs. Hope this helps you.


No disrespect to the others who are helping, but I think the problem is as simple as I have stated. I usually start with the simple, kinda obvious, things first...then go from there.

Have a great day guys.

No disrespect, but it would be a cold day in hell when a system will assign itself 4GB ram for integrated graphics... The simplest and most obvious thing to do when missing half of a pair of RAM sticks is to check and see if you seated it correctly.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok lets wait until the OP gets back to us because without those specs and what I asked for it we cannot do anything apsr from just second guessing. It could be a myriad of causes in any case.

 

[successgold]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried reseating the RAM twice, but it hasn't made any difference. I've attached the screenshots.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok mate now check the labels on those RAM sticks because HW Info is telling us there is only 4GB onboard (2x2GB), if the seller sold you them - and I have to be honest I have not seen 4GB sticks of DDR2 - and ask for a refund as it clearly states what you have in those shots you have sent.

Now looking at the board it only has two RAM slots so I can only suggest you look around for sticks of a greater capacity but I am not so sure you will find any and is so they might be very expensive.

 

[successgold]

Here's what it says of the labels:

Kingston KVR KVR667D2N5K2/4G
99U5316-03.A00LF K1T OF 2 3563922-8416920
1.8V ASSY IN CHINA

Kingston KVR KVR667D2N5K2/4G
99U5316-03.A00LF K1T OF 2 3563922-8417004
1.8V ASSY IN CHINA

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hmm this is a curly one mate the Google on that inf comes up with what you say the GB is and it isn't that expensive for example Kingston KVR667D2N5K2 4G DDR2 667 4GB Memory Kit 163120294107 | eBay

Now if the stick labels have not been tampered with then the machine is not seeing the amount of RAM they contain. Will have to do some more searching. Very strange.

 

[Porthos]

4gig kit not 2 4 gig sticks.

Specifications

• Mfr Part Number: KVR667D2N5K2/4G
• Type: DDR2
• Capacity: 4 GB (2x 2GB)
• Speed: PC5400 667MHz
• Size & Bit: 256M x 64
• Pins: 240pin
• ECC: No
• Registered: No
• CL5
• Lifetime Warranty

 

[Layback Bear]

Good find Porthos. That is the misunderstanding that is causing the confusion.

 

[Indianatone]

2 x 4gb of DDR2 is not cheap 8gb of ddr2 is at least $150 which is why no one buys it. You can get a new motherboard that supports DDR3 with 8gb ram for less.......

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I agree with Indianatone but it still remains why the OP has labels showing 4GB RAM per each of those sticks and yet in reality there is only 4GB showing up in the machine?? It smells of rats and I think he has been had. There are plenty of DDR2 8GB sticks on EBay but of course you do run the risk of getting dodgy gear.

Again I think Indianatone has the right idea it may cost a bit more than just the motherboard but at least the machine will be "up to date" with some reasonably current specs.

 

[Porthos]

Here's what it says of the labels:

Kingston KVR KVR667D2N5K2/4G
99U5316-03.A00LF K1T OF 2 3563922-8416920
1.8V ASSY IN CHINA

Kingston KVR KVR667D2N5K2/4G
99U5316-03.A00LF K1T OF 2 3563922-8417004
1.8V ASSY IN CHINA

The 4G in the KVR667D2N5K2/4G coincides to a 4 gig kit. Capacity: 4 GB (2x 2GB) The OP just misread the listing.

And yes 2x4 gigs is pricey

Amazon.com: Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR2 667MHz (PC2-5300) CL5 Unbuffered UDIMM 240-Pin Desktop Memory CT2KIT51264AA667: Electronics

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm thinking some thing like this was bought.

Kingston KVR667D2N5K2 4G DDR2 667 4GB Memory Kit 163120294107 | eBay

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I know the OP bought what he thought was 4GB sticks but it still does not explain the discrepancy in what was posted in post #8 and then in post #10.

I know the RAM can be got but what the OP has is clearly labelled incorrectly either by a fault in it's manufacture or by illegal tampering. Or have I got something terribly wrong??

 

[Porthos]

Or have I got something terribly wrong??

The sticks are labeled correctly. The were bought as a KIT. A 4 gig kit in which the package contains a matching PAIR of 2 gig sticks.

 

[successgold]

These are actually 2GB RAM sticks. Here are the specifications: http://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/KVR667D2N5K2_4G.pdf

I'm returning them for a refund.