Ram 4Gig (3.00GB usable) help ?? :(

[locutus12]

I have purchased and installed win7 ultimate 64bit package as my RC version finally ran out at the weekend and I'm having a major headache...

For some stupid reason the OS refuses to use 4 gig of ram. it was fine at first, then a couple of reboots later and were back to 4Gig (3.00GB usable)

Memory remapping above PCI function in my bios is enabled. I have even disabled it, booted up, restarted, and re enabled it, all to no avail. Although I did note when remapping was disabled the ram under win 7 says (3.12GB usable)


Any clues??

 

[StrangerGuy]

1. Does the POST recognizes 4GB, or more specifically 4,194,304 KB of RAM with memory hole remap?

2. Are you sure you installed the 64-bit version? It comes with both 32 and 64 bit DVDs after all...

 

[locutus12]

Hi, thanks for the reply,

Its definitely 64bit you have my guarantee as an I.T. grunt for the last 12 years (self employed technician) I'm just totally stumped here...

and yup, post shows all 4 gig...

 

[earthman]

What hardware are you running?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I am running Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit and mine shows 4GB memory.

This is a shot in the dark but did you install the correct/latest motherboard drivers?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I've got an older Gateway laptop with a GMA950 chipset, and even if I put 4GB of RAM into the PC, and run a 64-bit version of Win7, it can only use 3GB out of the 4GB. Unlike the OP, I've never gotten it to recognize all of the memory. When the BIOS boots, it only shows 3GB as well. I've swapped memory chip positions, and installed each chip individually, and that way, they both come up as 2GB.

 

[amdhunter]

On-board video stealing your memory?

 

[radioouman]

On-board video stealing your memory?

I came in here to post the same thing.

 

[TheStu]

I've got an older Gateway laptop with a GMA950 chipset, and even if I put 4GB of RAM into the PC, and run a 64-bit version of Win7, it can only use 3GB out of the 4GB. Unlike the OP, I've never gotten it to recognize all of the memory. When the BIOS boots, it only shows 3GB as well. I've swapped memory chip positions, and installed each chip individually, and that way, they both come up as 2GB.

I think that is a limitation of the chipset. For example, the first generation MacBooks were chipset limited to 2GB RAM, the next gen 3GB (3.3GB actually), the next gen were limited to 4GB, it wasn't until some of the latest generation MacBooks that they finally got access to up to 8GB RAM.

I have seen Toshibas from the same era that have the same limitation. It is a chipset thing, not an OS thing, and no combination of RAM sticks will fix the problem I fear.

OP, is this a desktop or a laptop? What are the specs?

 

[gravator]

I came in here to post the same thing.

+2

 

[JulesMaximus]

On-board video stealing your memory?

Ooh, I hadn't even considered that! I bet that's what's happening.

 

[lparkin]

It isn't video. I am betting all of these people have 945 chipsets...in their laptops. Intel made this chipset crippled...only recognizes 3 gigs even if you have 4 installed. This is very common chipset on 2 to 3 year old laptops...

FYI post will show 4 gigs...but it isn't usable.

 

[JechtShot]

Does a bios update remedy this?

 

[gravator]

It isn't video. I am betting all of these people have 945 chipsets...in their laptops. Intel made this chipset crippled...only recognizes 3 gigs even if you have 4 installed. This is very common chipset on 2 to 3 year old laptops...

FYI post will show 4 gigs...but it isn't usable.

NO no and no

 

[lparkin]

NO no and no

I know. The laptop I am writing this on has one of those chipsets...I have 4 installed but only 3 usable and I have discrete graphics.

 

[Davidh373]

Ok, Here's the thing. I've heard many remedies to fix this issue. It makes some sort of queue of system reserved memory. My comp is having the same problem. It is an EVGA X58 3X SLI. This is not a problem coming about due to old hardware, limitations of the hardware, ect. It is some sort of silly issue, and it's rather hard to sort out. I have contacted MS and they say if my settings are normal, then it is either the memory controller or a ram stick is bad. I contacted EVGA, and they said to check with the memory manufacturer. I check with OCZ and they say if the ram is good, it's the motherboard drivers or the memory controller. So no one company is responsible apparently, or if one, or a combination of all of them are, they won't admit it.