4GB of RAM, but only 2GB usable?

pb18 · May 4, 2013

Hi guys

I recently made a hardware change to my computer which was changing the motherboard, before changing the motherboard i performed a sysprep which removes all the hardware drivers etc.. and prepares windows 7 for new hardware.

system specs:

Motherboard (old: ecs mcp73vt-pm), (new: Asus p5e-v hdmi atx crossfire motherboard)
intel core 2 quad q8300
4GB DDR2 RAM
Intergrated onboard graphics
XFX 550W PSU
WD 640GB Caviar Blue
HAF 922

I managed to get the PC to boot, however I previously had 4GB 2x2GB installed and the PC will now only recognize 2GB (both sticks worked fine), when i go to msconfig in advanced boot options it wont let me go past 2048mb (2gb), when i install the second stick the cpu fan revs up and no display but when i remove and (reboot with one stick) it says overclocking failure

I have tried removing cmos battery, removing jumpers, re-seating RAM, booting with one stick of RAM, made sure 24pin and 4pin cpu power plugged in, I dont understand whats wrong as everything was working before and this was just supposed to be a simple motherboard change and now its driving me nuts!....

replies would be greatly appreciated

bignastyid · May 4, 2013

Test the sticks 1 at a time in the same slot if one works and 1 doesnt then you have a bad stick of ram.

mbarnes86 · May 4, 2013

Hi

are your ram sticks identicle (a matched pair)
DDR 2 or DDR 3 ?
does the motherboard web site state the type of RAM is supported
do you have 2 or 4 ram slots ?
(which two out of 4 you use can cause problems)

Motherboard change is not simple unless a direct replacment of same model

regards
Mike Barne

zdbc13 · May 4, 2013

Compare the model of RAM you have with the motherboard's QVL list on the ASUS download site. It may have compatibility problems on the motherboard.

pb18 · May 4, 2013

bignastyid :

Hi bignastyid i did that and nothing, but it definitely works because it was working in my old motherboard a few days ago

pb18 · May 4, 2013

mbarnes86 :

Hi mbarnes86
yes the ram sticks are a matched pair 2x2GB DDR2,
the motherboard says it supports up to 8GB max DDR2
motherboard has 4 RAM slots

pb18 · May 4, 2013

zdbc13 :

Hi zdbc13

OK thank you , I will do that

I have looked and it says:4 x DIMM, Max. 8 GB, DDR2 800/667/533 Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5EV_HDMI/#specifications

my ram is 4GB 2x2GB DDR2 800mhz, not sure about the make though as it was from a pre-built system, model number: gu342goalepr692c6f1 4gb,
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTAwWDE2MDA=/z/-iEAAOxy83JRHAB7/$(KGrHqNHJEwFERuY949CBRH!B7nVDw~~60_1.JPG?set_id=880000500F

bignastyid · May 4, 2013

pb18 :

So they both work individually or neither work?

pb18 · May 4, 2013

bignastyid :

its a 4GB kit 2x2GB, one stick works but when i put the other in the machine the cpu fan revs up and no display

after i boot the pc again with (one stick of ram) there is a display and it says overclocking failure and press f1 to continue to operating system, is there a setting in the bios i need to enable as both sticks worked fine only a few days ago in my previous motherboard

bignastyid · May 4, 2013

So they both work individually but the system will not post if both are installed correct?

pb18 · May 4, 2013

bignastyid :

yes that is correct

bignastyid · May 4, 2013

When both stick are installed are you putting them in the same colored slots both in the yellow or both on the black.

pb18 · May 4, 2013

bignastyid :

yes both sticks are installed in the same colored slots, i made sure they were installed in dual channel mode

bignastyid · May 4, 2013

Either the rams not fully compatible with the board check the QVL as mentioned by zdbc13 or the motherboards memory controller has issues, you may check for a bios update as that may help with compatibility.

pb18 · May 4, 2013

bignastyid :

Hi

I have updated the bios to the latest version but no change..

bignastyid · May 4, 2013

The ram you have is some generic memory that was used in Dell systems and may have issues in a retail board. Do you know someone who has a set of dual channel ddr2 you could try?

pb18 · May 5, 2013

bignastyid :

Hi bignastyid

yeah this ram looks to be generic, this ram was originally from a Packard bell ixtreme x5620uk and i decided to change the case to a HAF 922, psu to an xfx 550w and the motherboard to an asus p5e-v hdmi. Also i dont know anyone that has a set of dual channel ddr2 i could try.

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