Win7 *64* only using 4 of 6GB??

[Blue_Max]

I'm running Win7 64-bit and switched the hard drive from one machine to another. In so doing, it's stopped using all 6GB and is now only using 4 of it?? Why would it do such a thing?

Do I need to wipe it all over again? Was hoping to not have to reinstall my software again.

 

[Blue_Max]

RATS! I wiped out Windows only to find the exact same problem!!

What on earth is going on??

 

[Blue_Max]

Oh no... I shut it off, wiggled the sticks to be sure they were secure and now I have the full 6GB. I just wiped out a solid Win7 install for nothing.

Looks like there's a chance I can restore from windows.old [crossing fingers]

 

[Blue_Max]

GRRAAHH!! It's happening again! I grabbed 3x 4GB sticks on sale today but I'm getting the exact same issue, Win7-64 sees the 12GB but only 4GB usable.

ANY ideas why this might be happening?? It's making me consider Windows 8.1...

 

[VirtualLarry]

Don't buy Windows 8.1 to fix this, it's a hardware problem. Get some contact cleaner spray, and clean the slots, then use an eraser to clean the contacts on the DIMMs. Or possibly, your CPU's memory-controller lines are getting flaky. Is it overclocked?

 

[Blue_Max]

Don't buy Windows 8.1 to fix this, it's a hardware problem. Get some contact cleaner spray, and clean the slots, then use an eraser to clean the contacts on the DIMMs. Or possibly, your CPU's memory-controller lines are getting flaky. Is it overclocked?

Nope, i7-920 running stock. But why would it act like the picture up top? It says it SEES the RAM but [sing-song] "I'm not gon-na' uuuse iiiit!!"

I'll double-check the cleanliness of the board & stick contacts... wish me luck!

 

[VirtualLarry]

When it "sees" the RAM, it means that it reads the SPD, or what the BIOS reports from reading the SPD info. That's all.

 

[Blue_Max]

When it "sees" the RAM, it means that it reads the SPD, or what the BIOS reports from reading the SPD info. That's all.

.......okay? Does that mean it's recognized and ready to work? What's missing?
Would it report the RAM if half the contacts were blocked and unusable?

 

[Blue_Max]

Hmmm... compressed air in the slots and scrubbing of the contacts still gives the same bad results. The old 2GB sticks work fine, but the new 4GB sticks don't... there's a good chance this 1366 mobo just doesn't like the low-voltage RAM...

 

[oynaz]

BIOS update, perhaps?

 

[Blue_Max]

Good suggestion. Just finished rebooting from doing exactly that... now it won't even recognize the new RAM at all... error beeps at POST.

A little more digging yields embarrassment... my mobo only supports 1.5 or 1.65V RAM, not this 1.35V stuff... pity.

So, I can keep it for the great deal it was and put it in a new machine later... or just return it. $20 per 4GB 1333 Kingston Value stick is a pretty good deal - almost half the price of new.

Of course, if it's defective and I don't know it until much later I won't have the option to return it any longer. Brain says "return". New build will cost more but can gain faster RAM too.

 

[Dahak]

If you have a buddy that has a system that you can try the ram in that suppose the low voltage, I would try just to make sure it is not defective as well.

For the $20, I would just keep it. may not be worth the hassle and you will probably get it with a restocking fee as its not defective and just incompatible with your system

 

[Blue_Max]

Good point... it really was a great deal even if it's basic stuff without heatsinks...
but Intel system isn't going to see a world of difference from 1333 speed to 1600/1833, etc. Maybe for a mega-overclocker, but 0.5% more speed is not worth spending an extra $70. Looks like since a cheap Xeon is no longer in my future so I'll have to build a new system anyway.

 

[MTDEW]

Stuff to maybe look at.
1: In the BIOS check 'Memory Remap Feature = Enabled' (required for 64-bit OS and >4GB RAM)
2: Msconfig - click boot tab - click advanced options button....if Maximum memory box is checked, uncheck it - save - reboot