8.00 GB (3.74 GB usable)

[CharlesW16]

Hello everyone,

I like to consider myself a beginner when it comes to computers and this one has me stumped
I just built a budget AMD 455 machine with a Biostar a880gz mobo. For some reason I can't get the full 8gb to be utilized. I am running 64bit Win7 ultimate. I figure the onboard graphics are using some of the RAM but surely not over half... Ive tried reseating the ram and CPU multiple times.

This is the RAM I am using http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104173



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Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mubin]

One ram is not being detected i think. Pull out one ram and then check both slot with one ram if working fine.

 

[CharlesW16]

I have verified both RAM sticks due in fact work. When I just one in, they both work. However they only work when plugged into the first dimm. If one stick is only in the second dimm it fails to boot. When I go into the bios (with both sticks installed) it shows that both dimms have RAM in them, but whenever I boot, I get this


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I'm starting to think the board is faulty. I need to know soon before the newegg return policy is up.

 

[jaquith]

Biostar A880GZ - http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=555&tab=3
Support Dual Channel DDR3 800/1066/1333(supportted by CPU model)/1600(OC)/1866(OC) MHz
2 x DDR3 DIMM Memory Slot
Max. Supports up to 8GB Memory

Try (1) stick in each DIMM slot, and sure you can have a bad DIMM slot. Keep in mind your RAM is 1.65v @ Rated and 1.50v @ DDR3-1333 or slower.

Q - What if any changes have you made in the BIOS?

Next, try to Clear the CMOS, unplug the PSU for 5 minutes, then move the CMOS 'Jumper' for 5 seconds or longer, then place the Jumper in the Default position, boot into the BIOS and 'Load 'Optimized' Defaults, Exit & Save = 'Yes' and see what happens. Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdHH9KrceR0

You can try to update to BIOS '88PMP824.BSS' often it 'can' be an old BIOS issue.

 

[mubin]

Looks like the board is faulty. You need to RMA it. But you can use memtest soft to see what happen.

 

[mubin]

Hey wait, why your bios show you phenom II x4 B55 cpu? Isnt it Athlon II x3 455?

 

[jaquith]

Hey wait, why your bios show you phenom II x4 B55 cpu? Isnt it Athlon II x3 455?

That's what it shows up as unlocked. Which is why clearing the CMOS might solve the problem. Unlocking is a hit or miss.

 

[mubin]

Oh, i dont know about that. Never unlock a amd cpu.

 

[CharlesW16]

Biostar A880GZ - http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=555&tab=3
Support Dual Channel DDR3 800/1066/1333(supportted by CPU model)/1600(OC)/1866(OC) MHz
2 x DDR3 DIMM Memory Slot
Max. Supports up to 8GB Memory

Try (1) stick in each DIMM slot, and sure you can have a bad DIMM slot. Keep in mind your RAM is 1.65v @ Rated and 1.50v @ DDR3-1333 or slower.

Q - What if any changes have you made in the BIOS?

Next, try to Clear the CMOS, unplug the PSU for 5 minutes, then move the CMOS 'Jumper' for 5 seconds or longer, then place the Jumper in the Default position, boot into the BIOS and 'Load 'Optimized' Defaults, Exit & Save = 'Yes' and see what happens. Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdHH9KrceR0

You can try to update to BIOS '88PMP824.BSS' often it 'can' be an old BIOS issue.

It will boot when one stick is in the first slot, but when one stick is in the 2nd slot I get nothing. I will try clearing the CMOS with the instructions you provided and report back. I will go ahead and update the BIOS while I'm at it.

The only change I have done to the BIOS is unlocked the core, which seems to work fine as a QUAD core (as jaquith stated, that's why it showed up as a Phenom), however I have no need for it, so I will most likely revert back to three cores in the future, it was for kicks and giggles.

Also, if I do deem this board defective, how is Newegg's return policy? I hope its not shoddy.

 

[jaquith]

Also, if I do deem this board defective, how is Newegg's return policy? I hope its not shoddy.

First, hopefully the core unlocking and/or BIOS is the issue - my preference and I'm sure yours.

NewEgg is EXTREMELY good and if the MOBO was sold to you 30 days or less then you'll have no problems. In fact as an 'option' you can arrange an 'Accelerated Cross Ship' -- essentially you buy a 2nd MOBO and once the old is returned and inspected you get refunded for the 2nd MOBO; 1-2 days. Otherwise, contact NewEgg for an RMA and ship it back to them; approximately 1 week turn around time.

 

[CharlesW16]

I reset the CMOS, restored to default settings and still no dice. I went to the biostar website and entered my product credentials and the latest BIOS they listed for download was "88PMP208.BSS". Where can I find this '88PMP824.BSS' version your talking about?

Ugh, I'm starting to think I need to RMA it.

 

[jaquith]

RE: Biostar A880GZ Ver. 6.x - 88PMP824.BSS

Verify 100% that this is indeed your MOBO, click the BIOS (tab) and it's (88PMP824.BSS / 2012-08-24) listed on the top - http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=555&tab=3

URGENT - never update the BIOS through ANY OS, and ONLY use a BIOS level utility!!! Don't brick your MOBO.
Use BIO-Flasher utility in the BIOS; lousy video but you get the idea - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWIZ0jonWGw

 

[CharlesW16]

For some reason I didn't see that listed... Anyway, just updated the BIOS to the version you posted via the BIO-flasher utility, reset the CMOS again, reseated the ram.... again... and it still reports total memory as 4096MB. Any other possible reasons this could happen? This is driving me crazy!

Forgot to mention, I manually set the RAM frequency to 1333 in hopes of something... but of course...



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[mubin]

Looks like ram slot is faulty to me.

 

[CharlesW16]

Looks like ram slot is faulty to me.

I'm starting to think the same. I'm still confused though, I don't understand how Windows can recognize that I have 8 GB installed, it just can't utilize it. I would assume that if the RAM slot is faulty it would register at all in Windows. I'll take a few more opinions before I pull it and ship it back to Newegg... Stuff is never as simple as expected.

 

[mubin]

If your bios detect all 8gb ram then windows will detect 8gb ram. Windows is not the problem, but bios/mobo is.

 

[jaquith]

First, I assume 'BIOS Defaults' failed to recognized all of the RAM i.e. usable. IF that's true then try raising the DRAM Voltage even at Defaults to 1.60v and see what/if anything happens.

 

[CharlesW16]

It defaulted to 1.6v so I tried bumping it to 1.7v and still nothing.

 

[jaquith]

Just to make darn certain, with (1) stick of RAM the PC can boot and work in either DIMM slot - is that correct?

 

[CharlesW16]

Just to make darn certain, with (1) stick of RAM the PC can boot and work in either DIMM slot - is that correct?

Incorrect, with (1) stick the PC will only boot if the single stick is in the 1st DIMM slot. If the stick is in the 2nd DIMM slot, it will not boot, fans turn on, harddrive spins up, but monitor stays blank.

 

[jaquith]

RMA your MOBO

In some rare instances an aftermarket HSF with a metal back plate or uninsulated standoff's can cause a grounding short to a DIMM slot.