4GB Memory -> only 2GB Usable!

[Krk3561]

On my brand new build, my motherboard is not recognizing the 2nd stick of ram in the standard set up and in Windows it says: 4.0GB Ram (2.0GB usable)

Motheboard:
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 (Rev 2.0; Bios F8)

RAM:
G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 (F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO)

I have the sticks in the slot 1 and 3 like the instructions specify. I know that both memory sticks are good since they are recognized as single sticks.

I have tried every other combination of configurations, and the two memory banks closest to the CPU are not being recognized. I can run with 4GB RAM in the left two, but the RAM is never recognized the other two, no matter the configuration.

I tried re-seating the CPU a couple times and bought a magnifying glass to inspect the socket pins. It did seem like a few on the bottom row weren't raised as much as the others and I tried to pull them up with a razor but it didn't make a difference.

Any other ideas, or is it time for an RMA?

This is my first build in awhile, but I've built many before and never encountered an issue like this. I appreciate your help!

 

[mfenn]

Are you using 64-bit Windows?

 

[Krk3561]

Are you using 64-bit Windows?

Yes, the motherboard shows 2GB when DIMMs are in 1 and 3, but 4GB when in 3 and 4 and wont even boot when sticks are only in 1 and/or 2.

 

[mfenn]

Does the BIOS recognize all of the memory when Windows says "2.0GB usable"? I would try booting Memtest and seeing how much it recognizes.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Your board has an odd numbering arrangement in that the slots are organized as 2,1,4,3 I'm sure you already knew that though. Sounds like you might have to RMA the MB.

 

[Davidh373]

I had this problem for a long time. It wasn't a hardware problem though. Windows 7 makes a cached ram or something for it to use. There are many forums saying this is a MoBo problem, or a Memory problem. Neither was the case for me, but I forgot how I fixed it .

EDIT: This seems informative

http://www.codenamewindows.com/?p=1168

400th post!!! .

 

[Krk3561]

Does the BIOS recognize all of the memory when Windows says "2.0GB usable"? I would try booting Memtest and seeing how much it recognizes.

Bios is only recognizing 2GB which leads me to believe it is actually a hardware problem. I am going to try memtest and see what that says.

 

[Davidh373]

oh, in that case it is probably the RAM.

 

[Krk3561]

oh, in that case it is probably the RAM.

I pretty much narrowed it down to the Mobo, since the sticks both work independently and it shows as 4GB in the last two slots together (not Dual Channel though)

 

[Krk3561]

Here is a picture of what my bios looks like: i think it recognized the two sticks but is only using one for whatever reason (they are in slots 1 and 3)

 

[Davidh373]

hmm. Looks like it's only reading 2048MB which probably means you have a bad stick. Time to get them RMA wheels a turnin' guys?

 

[Blain]

Try reseating both the DIMMs.
It will cost you only a couple minutes of your time.

 

[Krk3561]

Try reseating both the DIMMs.
It will cost you only a couple minutes of your time.

I've reseated a lot, I tried every combination of memory configurations, run both sticks individually. It the two left DIMM slots that do not work.


I appreciate everyone's help. I'm just going to RMA the motherboard, it seems like this fairly common with Gigabyte from searching the web.

 

[mfenn]

I've reseated a lot, I tried every combination of memory configurations, run both sticks individually. It the two left DIMM slots that do not work.


I appreciate everyone's help. I'm just going to RMA the motherboard, it seems like this fairly common with Gigabyte from searching the web.

One last thing to try is clearing the CMOS. But yeah, it sounds like it's RMA time for you.