8gb installed memory but windows shows only 4

Ricothepiko · Jul 18, 2014

I have 2x4 gb sticks in my pc but windows says that i only have 4gb. "hardware reserved"

Specs
MoBo: MSI 970A-G46

Cpu: AMD fx-6300 @ 3.5 ghz

Ram: G.Skill RipjawsX 14900

Psu: Antec EA-500 Green 500 watt

Gpu: Sapphire HD7870 Ghz edition

OS: Win 7 64 bit

chaotixblade · Jul 18, 2014

I suspect you have purchased the wrong version operating system.

Could you please verify that you are running a 64 bit rendition of whatever operating system you currently are running? Be it a Linux Distro, or windows platform.

Thanks.

(32-BIT is limited to ~4gb)

Ricothepiko · Jul 18, 2014

chaotixblade :

i forgot to add windows 7 64bit

Rick Kraster · Jul 18, 2014

if your system is not 32bit do a ram test tun your pc with 1 ram stick if that works try the other if it still works set both your ram stick manually in your bios to the required frequency if that still doesnt work i have no idea what the problem

Ricothepiko · Jul 18, 2014

Rick Kraster :

Both sticks worked in slot 2, but when i tried in slot 3/4 i wouldn't even boot up. Is that bad?

Rick Kraster · Jul 18, 2014

i'm not sure if all motherboard support it but i found someon with the same motherboard as your with the same problem: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/324292-30-msi970a-unsuable-window

Ricothepiko · Jul 18, 2014

Rick Kraster :

i read the the thread and the best solution but i didnt understand what to do with all those voltage things

chaotixblade · Jul 18, 2014

Since your operating system is in fact 64-bit, that can be ruled out. (Being that it isn't 32-bit. This isn't to say there couldn't be a windows issue, just if it was 32 bit, I would tell you that you need a 64 bit OS.)

...anyways.

As the above posters have said, try using both sticks in the first DIMM slot. If both function correctly, this will eliminate one of the sticks being broken as a variable.

Let us know how that goes.

[Edit] If they do both function independently, then I can pretty confidently say the issue is either that the secondary DIMM slot is malfunctioning, or there is a problem within the Windows environment.

Also, I would go update your bios to eliminate that as a variable as well.

MSI's bios site.
http://us.msi.com/service/download/

Rick Kraster · Jul 18, 2014

on what frequency is your ram like 1333mhz/1600mhz you can see this in your bios

Ricothepiko · Jul 18, 2014

chaotixblade :

both sticks are working fine at least in slot 2 altrough the the pc won't boot if i use one stick and it is in slot 3/4

chaotixblade · Jul 18, 2014

Slots 3 and 4 shouldn't be used anyways.

If it isn't working in slot one, there is your problem. Slot one isn't functional.

RMA the motherboard.

Ricothepiko · Jul 18, 2014

chaotixblade :

I'm not using slot one anyways so that cant be the problem, or can it?
I'm always using slot 2 and 4

chaotixblade · Jul 18, 2014

From what I understand. You have told me that when you followed the directions that I and others gave to you. You determined that when using one stick to troubleshoot, the stick would only allow your system to boot in the third slot, and not the first.

This indicates to me that there is a problem with the first DIMM slot, and the board needs to be RMA'd.

Unless of course the manual states that the third slot is the only slot you can use when running a single stick of ram on the motherboard.

Find that out, if it says either 1 or 3, then your board has an issue and needs to be RMA'd.

(If the two sticks are in the 1 and 3 slot, and the 3 is only functioning. Then the system will only use 4 gigs)

Ricothepiko · Jul 18, 2014

chaotixblade :

i couldn't find where it says what slot i should use when i only use 1 stick, but im not a good computer person so i dont even know what RMA means

chaotixblade · Jul 18, 2014

RMA means send it back to the manufacturer or retailer so that they can repair it and in the mean time send you a replacement.

Anyways, in the manual that came with your motherboard, Flip to the section dealing with RAM. Find out where the ram needs to go when running a single channel set up. (Single channel - One stick, Dual Channel - 2)

This is not because you want to use a single channel set up permanently, but because you want to isolate the issue. Is it the DIMM slot, or is it the motherboard.

This can be found out via placing the two sticks independent of one another and doing two test boots. One with one stick, and one with the other.

You need to examine your manual and determine which ram slot (slots if more than one) is to be used when only running one stick of ram.

Let us know your results when you've done that and tested it.

Ricothepiko · Jul 19, 2014

it doesn't say anywhere in the manual where u should have it when using only 1 stick. Not even in the manual u download from msi:s website so i do not know what to do.
But it does say this:
To enable successful system boot up, always insert the memory MODULES into the DIMM2/DIMM4, does that mean i should use slot 2 or 4 when using only 1 stick of ram?

chaotixblade · Jul 19, 2014

Dimm 2, by default that is the standard slot.

So here is hwat you need to do, put each stick in the dim 2 slot. If neither work its the slot. If one works and the other doesn't its the ram stick.

Check back in when you get that.

Ricothepiko · Jul 19, 2014

chaotixblade :

Both sticks work in DIMM2 but neither of them works in DIMM3/4

chaotixblade · Jul 20, 2014

That is to be expected.

So, I would say the board is bad.

Send the mothebroard back, get a different one.

If anyone disagrees, please say so. This is not my area of expertise, however common computer sense tells me the dimm 3 slot is bad.

8gb installed memory but windows shows only 4

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Reputable

Reputable

Reputable

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Distinguished

Share this page