4gigs of XMS ram only reads at 3.5 gigs of ram

[UMfanatic2k6]

I recenlty put 4 gigs of Cosair XMS ram in my GA-K8NSNXP 939 Motherboard, it only reads at 3.5 gigs of ram, is there a solution to make it read the correct amount of ram.

 

[BadThad]

You have four 1GB modules? Try each one in the system individually....one at a time.

 

[UMfanatic2k6]

yes they are brand new from newegg

 

[PurdueRy]

Try changing your RAM from 1T to 2T(if that's the case)

 

[UMfanatic2k6]

I have a Gigabyte GA-K8NSNXP 939 if that might futher solve the mystery

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: UMfanatic2k6
I have a Gigabyte GA-K8NSNXP 939 if that might futher solve the mystery

Some suggestions

1. As I said before try changing the timeing from 1T to 2T

2. Look for BIOS updates for your motherboard

3. See how much ram CPU-Z reports you as having

 

[UMfanatic2k6]

Ok I will do that on my next restart, but may I inquire what CPU-Z is, I use to be up to date on my computer knowledge then I stopped fooling around with them for a couple of years (went through a period of funds being low so I couldnt keep myself up to date so I didnt bother with PC news either)

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: UMfanatic2k6
Ok I will do that on my next restart, but may I inquire what CPU-Z is, I use to be up to date on my computer knowledge then I stopped fooling around with them for a couple of years (went through a period of funds being low so I couldnt keep myself up to date so I didnt bother with PC news either)

just google CPU-Z. Its just a program that reports CPU stats(cache, FSB...yadada) and memory and mobo stats. See if that see's that you have 4

 

[UMfanatic2k6]

yes CPU-Z reports me as having 4096MB of RAM

 

[UMfanatic2k6]

It even reports the timing as being at 2T

 

[PurdueRy]

Most likely you are fine then, Windows sometimes reports the wrong amount of actual available ram. Check for BIOS updates too though.

 

[Fraggable]

I'm pretty sure Win XP can't recognize more than 3.5GB of RAM. I'm not sure if there's a fix, but this should give you something new to look into. Check the MS knowledgebase for this issue, I bet you'll find all kinds of info.

 

[Rilex]

Windows XP can recognize 4GB of physical RAM. However, 500+MB is reserved for PCI and other memory spaces. There is nothing you can do about it.

 

[UMfanatic2k6]

but I have never had it use 500MBs of ram before, when I had 2 gigs of ram it recognized the full amount, and when I had a gig it recognized the full amount so how could it be that now I have 4gigs it doesnt.

 

[JDMnAR1]

A quote from your motherboard manual here:

(Note 1) Due to standard PC architecture, a certain amount of memory is reserved for system usage and therefore the actual memory size is less than the stated amount. For example, 4 GB of memory size will instead be shown as 3.xxGB memory during system startup.

 

[UMfanatic2k6]

yes but does that also apply to windows as well because when you go into system it showsup at only 3.50 as well

 

[Fraggable]

Yeah I think MS and mobo manufacturers say it's in use, but that can't be true as it doesn't make that half gig of memory go away until you hit 4GB. Like I said before, I heard it was a bug with Win XP where it couldn't recognize the full 4GB. I don't have a link to an article about it or anything so I could be wrong.

Maybe check if Win XP 64-bit has the same issue?

 

[UMfanatic2k6]

windows and my bios say I only have 3.50, CPU-Z says I have 4 and it reads each stick individually as well, I actually have readon x64 can recognize up 16 gigs of ram, but the funn thing is if If I have less than 4gigs it reads the proper amount I have tested it out in intervals as I have also 2 512 sticks, it reads 1 gig, 1.5 gigs, 2, 2.5, 3. and 3.5 correctly

 

[JDMnAR1]

I believe that CPU-Z is actually reading the individual chips to get SPD, ID and all that jazz. If your BIOS doesn't recognize the full 4GB, then your OS will have a hard time making use of it. Check with your mobo manufacturer about any bank limitations they may have when addressing RAM, and how your current config impacts it. Once you get the BIOS to recognize the full 4GB, you will need to modify your boot.ini file (with the /PAE switch I believe) to allow the OS to see it.

XP Pro x64 will actually address 128GB of physical RAM in the box.

 

[UMfanatic2k6]

well the website says the MOBO will take up to 4gigs, but I will check for limitations as for altering the boot I will need a bit of instruction in that

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: UMfanatic2k6
well the website says the MOBO will take up to 4gigs, but I will check for limitations as for altering the boot I will need a bit of instruction in that

Your motherboard manual correctly states that Windows (32 bit Windows) reserves some of the RAM for its' own use when you install 4GB. It's more complicated than that, but that's the gist of it.

To get around this issue, either go back to 3GB (so you won't "lose" any RAM), or install Windows x64 (and have fun finding drivers for your hardware).

Are you running massive databases that you need that much RAM? Each user process in 32-bit Windows can only take 2GB (by default, save PAE or 3GB changes), and most people tend to run just one large process like that at a time on simple (gaming) workstations, so what's the point?

 

[UMfanatic2k6]

well I got the ram in two packs, and I do tend to run alot of stuff at the same time, I actually believe for everything I have other than maybe my printer an x64 driver exists so would I be better off going with x64

 

[dclive]

That's a lot of work just to get an incremental 512MB of RAM. Once you consider the larger memory requirements of the 64 bit OS, not to mention the driver hassles (want to add a webcam? Have fun trying!), is it worth it?

 

[UMfanatic2k6]

its actually the only version of windows I do not own legally, I even own server 2003 for some apparent reason, but I am going to be an IT student in the fall would it be worth it for that reason

 

[martman]

I have the same deal as you UMfanatic2k6...I was told by tech person that windows will only read 3.5 or so gigs of ram..I believe mine shows as 3.2 or so gigs.. but Everest Sisoft and other programs read the actuall 4 gig.. I have also been told the same as Rilex replied and what JDMnAR1 quoted.