Reading only half of RAM

SgtBobert · 09-10-2007, 10:29 PM

I bought a Buffalo Select 1024mb PC3200 DDR 400MHz stick (or whatever you call them) and next to it is another 1gb stick that i think was made by kingston and it says in the system info that i have only 1.5gb of RAM. whats the deal???

PC eye · 09-10-2007, 11:23 PM

When adding memory the best move always seem to be going with the same brand and type to avoid problems. Apparently there's an incompatibility problem probably due to seeing different timings or the new memory simply isn't compatible with the board there. If the dimm was a 512 mislabeled as a 1gb dimm that would also explain the 1.5 seen.

One question comes to mind about the 1279mb seen in your sig. Are you running a 256mb dimm along with the pair of 1gb? Besides that if the memory installed is two different speeds like the new DDR400 mixed with DDR333 memory install the new dimm in the first or A1 dimm slot being the first slot on the first channel. That's most dommon recommendation there. It does sound like a mismatch there.

SgtBobert · 09-10-2007, 11:48 PM

I just installed the buffalo stick today thats why I havnt changed my sig but yah i ran another kingston 256mb stick along side the 1gb kingston. If you look at spec for my board it only supports 2gbs and has only two RAM slots

James Jl · 09-10-2007, 11:58 PM

Pc eye could well be right about incorect labeling of the memory.Ive had this also.

Download this to check out timmings ect..

www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

PC eye · 09-11-2007, 12:37 AM

The cpuid is a good tool along with another found that will even go further showing all types of info on hardwares and softwares even cpu temps called SIW. You can grab that free as well at http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html It doesn't create any new registry values and you may want to create a desktop shortcut for it.

If your build seems to running good other then the lack seen wiith 512mb missing it strongly points at getting a 512 not 1gb when bought. That's unfortunate and should be returned for exchange or refund.

I would simply advice substitution on return for a matching Kingston if you know the first 1gb's product number whether basic, Value Ram, or Hyper X performance. That way you don't have to replace two dimms just to see 2gb there.

SgtBobert · 09-11-2007, 02:36 AM

This is what i Got

EDIT: I checked tigerdirect, don't take returns

ThatGuy16 · 09-11-2007, 02:46 AM

It looks fine, maybe windows is reading it wrong. When you go to the task manager how much does it say you have?

Its under "performance" then toward the bottom left it says "physical memory", then under it theres "total"

Does you motherboard have onboard video?

SgtBobert · 09-11-2007, 04:10 AM

This is what the TM says

and yes my motherboard has a integrated video card

**Cromewell** · 09-11-2007, 04:29 AM

Your onboard video is taking RAM. 520MB seems like a bit much though. You should have the option to disable the onboard video in the BIOS

SgtBobert · 09-11-2007, 12:19 PM

Can you explain were i can do that in the bios

09-10-2007, 10:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
SgtBobert Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: TN Posts: 29	Reading only half of RAM I bought a Buffalo Select 1024mb PC3200 DDR 400MHz stick (or whatever you call them) and next to it is another 1gb stick that i think was made by kingston and it says in the system info that i have only 1.5gb of RAM. whats the deal??? __________________ OS: 32-bit Vista Home Premium Motherboard: XFX 680iLTSli Video Card: BFG Nvidia 8600 GTS (X2) CPU: E6850 3.0 GHz Core 2 Duo Memory:Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz HD: Seagate 500Gb SATA CD Drive(s): Mad Dog DVD-RW SATA PSU: 750W ATX Power Supply Digital Monitor: Xerox Digital Display

09-10-2007, 11:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,236	When adding memory the best move always seem to be going with the same brand and type to avoid problems. Apparently there's an incompatibility problem probably due to seeing different timings or the new memory simply isn't compatible with the board there. If the dimm was a 512 mislabeled as a 1gb dimm that would also explain the 1.5 seen. One question comes to mind about the 1279mb seen in your sig. Are you running a 256mb dimm along with the pair of 1gb? Besides that if the memory installed is two different speeds like the new DDR400 mixed with DDR333 memory install the new dimm in the first or A1 dimm slot being the first slot on the first channel. That's most dommon recommendation there. It does sound like a mismatch there. __________________ Turning auto exhaust into a new energy source http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5552209 Ahead of theCurve: Extreme gamers play 45hrs. a week http://blogs.abcnews.com/aheadofthec...extreme-g.html

09-10-2007, 11:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
SgtBobert Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: TN Posts: 29	I just installed the buffalo stick today thats why I havnt changed my sig but yah i ran another kingston 256mb stick along side the 1gb kingston. If you look at spec for my board it only supports 2gbs and has only two RAM slots __________________ OS: 32-bit Vista Home Premium Motherboard: XFX 680iLTSli Video Card: BFG Nvidia 8600 GTS (X2) CPU: E6850 3.0 GHz Core 2 Duo Memory:Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz HD: Seagate 500Gb SATA CD Drive(s): Mad Dog DVD-RW SATA PSU: 750W ATX Power Supply Digital Monitor: Xerox Digital Display

09-10-2007, 11:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
James Jl Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kensington Lnd Age: 82 Posts: 29	Re Pc eye could well be right about incorect labeling of the memory.Ive had this also. Download this to check out timmings ect.. www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

09-11-2007, 12:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,236	The cpuid is a good tool along with another found that will even go further showing all types of info on hardwares and softwares even cpu temps called SIW. You can grab that free as well at http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html It doesn't create any new registry values and you may want to create a desktop shortcut for it. If your build seems to running good other then the lack seen wiith 512mb missing it strongly points at getting a 512 not 1gb when bought. That's unfortunate and should be returned for exchange or refund. I would simply advice substitution on return for a matching Kingston if you know the first 1gb's product number whether basic, Value Ram, or Hyper X performance. That way you don't have to replace two dimms just to see 2gb there. __________________ Turning auto exhaust into a new energy source http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5552209 Ahead of theCurve: Extreme gamers play 45hrs. a week http://blogs.abcnews.com/aheadofthec...extreme-g.html

09-11-2007, 02:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
SgtBobert Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: TN Posts: 29	This is what i Got EDIT: I checked tigerdirect, don't take returns __________________ OS: 32-bit Vista Home Premium Motherboard: XFX 680iLTSli Video Card: BFG Nvidia 8600 GTS (X2) CPU: E6850 3.0 GHz Core 2 Duo Memory:Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz HD: Seagate 500Gb SATA CD Drive(s): Mad Dog DVD-RW SATA PSU: 750W ATX Power Supply Digital Monitor: Xerox Digital Display Last edited by SgtBobert; 09-11-2007 at 02:46 AM.

09-11-2007, 02:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
ThatGuy16 Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 5,105	It looks fine, maybe windows is reading it wrong. When you go to the task manager how much does it say you have? Its under "performance" then toward the bottom left it says "physical memory", then under it theres "total" Does you motherboard have onboard video? __________________ CPU: C2D E8400 @ 4Ghz 1.23v HSF: Apogee GTX MB: Gigabyte X38-DS4 Ram: 2x2GB G. Skill DDR2-1068 HDD: 320GB Seagate PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700w OS: Vista Home Premium 64bit GFX: HD3870 @ 837/1152 LCD: LG 22" L226WTQ My Old 3DMark06: 20008 =(

09-11-2007, 04:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
SgtBobert Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: TN Posts: 29	This is what the TM says and yes my motherboard has a integrated video card __________________ OS: 32-bit Vista Home Premium Motherboard: XFX 680iLTSli Video Card: BFG Nvidia 8600 GTS (X2) CPU: E6850 3.0 GHz Core 2 Duo Memory:Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz HD: Seagate 500Gb SATA CD Drive(s): Mad Dog DVD-RW SATA PSU: 750W ATX Power Supply Digital Monitor: Xerox Digital Display

09-11-2007, 04:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
Cromewell Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Age: 24 Posts: 10,088	Your onboard video is taking RAM. 520MB seems like a bit much though. You should have the option to disable the onboard video in the BIOS __________________ You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with 'til ya understand who's in ruttin' command here. I must plug a couple comics because they are good :D: www.ctrlaltdel-online.com www.userfriendly.org

09-11-2007, 12:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
SgtBobert Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: TN Posts: 29	Can you explain were i can do that in the bios __________________ OS: 32-bit Vista Home Premium Motherboard: XFX 680iLTSli Video Card: BFG Nvidia 8600 GTS (X2) CPU: E6850 3.0 GHz Core 2 Duo Memory:Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz HD: Seagate 500Gb SATA CD Drive(s): Mad Dog DVD-RW SATA PSU: 750W ATX Power Supply Digital Monitor: Xerox Digital Display

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