4GB DDR3 installed (2x2GB), win7(64bit) and bios only showing 2GB

anzezaf · Dec 27, 2014

Hello

I have a problem with my RAM. The PC only recognizes 2gb but i have 4gb installed. Windows 7 shows 4gb installed (2gb usable) in my computer's performance rating site. I dont have a 32bit OS, so that isnt the problem. Furthermore, I tried swapping the modules (switched places) and nothing changed. When I put only 1 stick in, the stick that had a "1" after its serial number, worked fine, but the one that had a "2" (i assume its numbered so because its a kit) didnt even boot up. I used MemOK! function on my mobo, but it didn't help. I then went and removed my CPU because i read somewhere this could be because of bent pins, but I didn't see any after multiple checks, and installed it back in. Again, no change. I also went to msconfig/boot/advanced and checked and unchecked the maximum memory thingy, with restarts in between. This also didnt fix it.
Next, I DLed memtest86, put it on USB and ran it. It passed the test with no errors one time, and I stopped the testing after it reached ~50% on the second try (I grabbed a bite while it was testing). The thing that confuses me, is that it only shows 2049M of ram on screen, but recognizes both sticks of ram installed. I'm also confused by memory mapping shown in the pics, shouldn't it continue from the end of the first sticks'? Here's the screenshot pics. Is this a bad stick (number 2)?

http://imgur.com/jcIliGJ

http://imgur.com/wyZItkU

http://imgur.com/Yr07DKA

EDIT: Hm, I just remembered, does memtest86 work by testing both sticks in 1 pass, or does it do a single pass on a single stick? If so, I aborted the test too soon.

i7Baby · Dec 27, 2014

If its a 1 x4gb stick then you have 2gb allocated eg integrated graphics.

If its 2 x 2gb maybe one stick is dead - test with memtest

anzezaf · Dec 27, 2014

I did memtest it, didn't you read the post?
I now also tried takin both sticks out and left it running for a min, and then putting them back in. It also didn't help.
It's worth saying that I checked CPU-Z and it detects both sticks and they are at the same settings. Could the cause be that they are at the wrong settings? The kit is this one (at least i think - they look the same and have identical frequencies. On the sticks it says OCZ3G1333LV2G-1 and OCZ3G1333LV2G-2) http://megamemory.com.au/105-ocz-gold-4gb-2x-2gb-ddr3-1333mhz-pc3-10666-gold-low-voltage-dual-.html

On the sticks themselves it says 7-7-7 @1.65V, and CPU-Z says this:

Now I'm pretty noob when it comes to ram timings and voltages. Is this situation OK, or could this be causing problems?
I also noticed that CPU-Z is showing 4GB memory but it says that it's in single channel mode, when in reality it isn't.

i7Baby · Dec 27, 2014

Are they a 2 x 2gb kit?

Are the dimm slots clean?

anzezaf · Dec 27, 2014

2x2gb kit, yes

DIMM slots are clean, and it doesn't matter which pair of slots I use, black or blue. Same result.

Mobo is this one http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M4A89GTD_PROUSB3/

I have also completed Microsoft's memory diagnostic, 2 out of 2 passes, no memory erros were detected.

anzezaf · Dec 27, 2014

When I use only the 2nd stick of the kit, the PC doesnt boot up, not even to the screen where you press DEL for BIOS.
It doesnt matter which slot I use, all 4 of them yield the same result. I guess the stick is dead?

i7Baby · Dec 27, 2014

Try a CMOS reset.

The ram in the right slots per the motherboard manual?

anzezaf · Dec 27, 2014

I did CMOS reset too. Yes, they are seated correctly. I tried all availabe positions, all of them have the same results.

i7Baby · Dec 27, 2014

Then your mobo dimm slot is dead. Replace the mobo.

anzezaf · Dec 28, 2014

Nope, the slots cannot be dead. I checked with the 1st stick (the one im sure that works). Put it in every single slot and it booted with no problems every time.
The thing that bothers me is that the 2nd stick doesnt have / isn't addressed in memtest86.

Tradesman1 · Dec 28, 2014

Sounds like a bad stick or simply one the mobo doesn't like, might clean the coontacts or try in a different systems

anzezaf · Dec 28, 2014

Yes I also think its a bad stick. It can't be that the mobo doesn't like it, because this RAM was working fine in this setup for a few years already, until I started doing some overclocking (CPU, not the ram itself) and I must have screwed something up (im a noob when it comes to OCing), though im 95% sure it was all within safe limits. I'm gonna head to a PC repair shop in the next days and report.

i7Baby · Dec 28, 2014

Just try one stick at a time

anzezaf · Dec 28, 2014

Mate, did you even read the thread or are you just writing some answers you come up with on the fly?
I did try it. I even said it in the friggin opening post.

i7Baby · Dec 28, 2014

I think you need to replace the ram. If that doesn't work then replace the motherboard. eg ASRock Anniversary

anzezaf · Dec 29, 2014

Ok, the weirdest thing happened today. The faulty stick worked normally in another pc. How could it not work in my PC when it did work before I did the slight OCing ? What could be the fault?
When we inserted another stick - different manufacturer, different size, different latencies the whole memory got detected in bios (my 2gb old stick and new 4gb one)

i7Baby · Dec 29, 2014

Maybe its not compatible with your motherboard. Is it on the motherboard Qualified Vendors List?

anzezaf · Dec 30, 2014

It is compatible, it is one the list. And even if it wasn't- it worked before so why wouldnt it now?

I bought a new 4gig stick, 1600mhz and put it in dual channel (!!) with my 2gig 1333mhz stick, and it works without a problem. Boots to win7, everything normal.
I just wanna ask how much time should I give memtest to thoroughly check everything? I dont want any BSODs when im writing my diploma

Is 12 hours enough?

Tradesman1 · Dec 30, 2014

I normally let it run through 3-5 of the tests it runs.

anzezaf · Dec 30, 2014

Well to sum this thread up, nothing clear as to why the stick stopped functioning. It worked OK in another system which is super weird. What's even weird-er is that i managed to combine two RAM sticks from different manufacturers, differents sizes, different voltages, different latencies/timings into a working dual channel setup

. The two sticks are OCZ's 2GB ddr3 1333mhz 1.65v GOLD (ocz3g13332g) and corsairs 4gb dd3 1600mhz 1.5v vengeance (cmz4gx3m1a1600c9)

Tradesman1 · Dec 30, 2014

Sticks can just die, don't see it real often, but like anything they can simply go bad

4GB DDR3 installed (2x2GB), win7(64bit) and bios only showing 2GB

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