4GB installed (2 GB usable)

[Rhck]

Hello,
I am new on the forum and I would like to ask you guys something about my memory modules.

Yesterday I bought new memory for my old computer. My old memory modules are 2 x 1GB Kingmax KLDD48F-A8KI5, connected into the 1st and 3rd slot on the motherboard (dual channel).

New memory modules are 2 x 1GB Kingston KVR800D2N6/1G, connected into the 2nd and 4th slot on the motherboard (dual channel).

On startup BIOS beep is ok, no lags, fast OS load, etc. But when I open System Properties in Windows, I can see that is Installed memory (RAM): 4,00 GB (usable 2,00 GB).

CPU-Z show memory size as 4GB, memory slots on SPD tab are ok, can see all memory modules on the memory slot selection.

Please can someone provide me a solution for my problem.
Thank you all.

CPU-Z configuration: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/37856803/conf_cpu_z.html
Screenshot:

Spoiler

 

[trunks91]

Shouldn't this be in the RAM section?

Are you using a 32bit[86] or 64bit OS? [Edit* I see your using 64 bit, so that isn't it for sure]
You could try using Windows RAM[Memory] diagnostic.

 

[Rhck]

Shouldn't this be in the RAM section?

Are you using a 32bit[86] or 64bit OS? [Edit* I see your using 64 bit, so that isn't it for sure]
You could try using Windows RAM[Memory] diagnostic.

It is in the RAM section (memory). When I open memory forum I can see all topics about RAM.
My OS is Windows 8.1 64bit.
Used Windows memory diagnostic tool and everything was fine. No errors at all.

 

[trunks91]

It is in the RAM section (memory). When I open memory forum I can see all topics about RAM.
My OS is Windows 8.1 64bit.
Used Windows memory diagnostic tool and everything was fine. No errors at all.

Sorry mate, you are in the right place.
I thought I was in the motherboard section haha my bad,

You could try taking out the 2 sticks of old RAM and just keeping the 2 new sticks in to see if they come up okay and vice versa.
Or/And switch the lanes.

Also, When you used Windows Mem Diagnostic did it scan in 4 parts? As in your 4 sticks?
Have you checked that your mobo supports a 4GB load of RAM? With 4 lanes you would expect it to but remember you could have 4 512MB sticks which would make a max load of 2GB, Refer to the website of your mobo brand for specs.

 

[Rhck]

My motherboard support a 4 GB of RAM. But I am not sure about memory chips. My old memory is double-sided memory and the new one is single-sided memory. Not sure is it because of that.

 

[trunks91]

My motherboard support a 4 GB of RAM. But I am not sure about memory chips. My old memory is double-sided memory and the new one is single-sided memory. Not sure is it because of that.

Not sure myself mate, You could try my other suggestion.
Try booting with just the new RAM or a 1/1 Mix of old and new to see if it is the new RAM causing the issue.

For example if you boot up with 2GB installed 1 old and 1 new and only 1 GB is usable then you'll know the new RAM is no good to you.

Best of luck, let me know how you get on mate.



Edit* Also [for future reference] I would usually recommend always using the same brand and/or Mhz rate of RAM sticks.

 

[Rhck]

Going to test that.
Thank you mate.

 

[trunks91]

Going to test that.
Thank you mate.

Goodluck!

 

[Rhck]

Ok I tested few combinations.
1st slot: 1GB old RAM
2nd slot: 1GB new RAM
Result: 2GB installed (1GB usable)

2nd slot: 1GB new RAM
4th slot: 1GB new RAM
Result: 2GB installed

Gonna try more combinations.

 

[trunks91]

Ok I tested few combinations.
1st slot: 1GB old RAM
2nd slot: 1GB new RAM
Result: 2GB installed (1GB usable)

2nd slot: 1GB new RAM
4th slot: 1GB new RAM
Result: 2GB installed

Gonna try more combinations.

From what you've said there it seems your Computer is only reading and using 1 type of your 2 types [Brand] of RAM... Quite strange.

Okay mate, let me know how it goes sure.

If all else fails you could return the old or new RAM?
And purcahse 2 more sticks of either the old or new lol
Nightmare, I know.

 

[Rhck]

1st slot: 1GB old RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
Result: 2GB installed

That's really strange. Gonna now insert 1 old RAM to check how is it working.

 

[trunks91]

1st slot: 1GB old RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
Result: 2GB installed

That's really strange. Gonna now insert 1 old RAM to check how is it working.

Yeah mate it defo seems like the 2 brands of RAM you're using are not compatible.

I would either buy 2 more of the new sticks you got or return the 2 you have and buy 2 more of the old RAM sticks you have.

That's all I can think of I'm afraid

 

[Rhck]

1st slot: 1GB old RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
Result: 2GB installed

That's really strange. Gonna now insert 1 old RAM to check how is it working.

Yeah mate it defo seems like the 2 brands of RAM you're using are not compatible.

I would either buy 2 more of the new sticks you got or return the 2 you have and buy 2 more of the old RAM sticks you have.

That's all I can think of I'm afraid

Now tried with this combination:
1st slot: 1GB old RAM
2nd slot: 1GB new RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
4th slot: Empty
Result: 3GB installed (2GB usable)

Problem is that I can't refund that new memory, and can't return it for same model as my old (they don't have it).
I think I'll need to buy 2 more 1GB RAM (new one).
Should I try to update my BIOS, at this moment BIOS version is F8, and there is new version (beta) F10a.

 

[trunks91]

1st slot: 1GB old RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
Result: 2GB installed

That's really strange. Gonna now insert 1 old RAM to check how is it working.

Yeah mate it defo seems like the 2 brands of RAM you're using are not compatible.

I would either buy 2 more of the new sticks you got or return the 2 you have and buy 2 more of the old RAM sticks you have.

That's all I can think of I'm afraid

Now tried with this combination:
1st slot: 1GB old RAM
2nd slot: 1GB new RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
4th slot: Empty
Result: 3GB installed (2GB usable)

Problem is that I can't refund that new memory, and can't return it for same model as my old (they don't have it).
I think I'll need to buy 2 more 1GB RAM (new one).
Should I try to update my BIOS, at this moment BIOS version is F8, and there is new version (beta) F10a.

Buying 2 more of the new one should defo sort it, Yeah you could try updating your board BIOS but I think it's just the RAM's are not compatible.

It can't hurt to try.

 

[Rhck]

1st slot: 1GB old RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
Result: 2GB installed

That's really strange. Gonna now insert 1 old RAM to check how is it working.

Yeah mate it defo seems like the 2 brands of RAM you're using are not compatible.

I would either buy 2 more of the new sticks you got or return the 2 you have and buy 2 more of the old RAM sticks you have.

That's all I can think of I'm afraid

Now tried with this combination:
1st slot: 1GB old RAM
2nd slot: 1GB new RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
4th slot: Empty
Result: 3GB installed (2GB usable)

Problem is that I can't refund that new memory, and can't return it for same model as my old (they don't have it).
I think I'll need to buy 2 more 1GB RAM (new one).
Should I try to update my BIOS, at this moment BIOS version is F8, and there is new version (beta) F10a.

Buying 2 more of the new one should defo sort it, Yeah you could try updating your board BIOS but I think it's just the RAM's are not compatible.

It can't hurt to try.

Found now in the manual of motherboard that my motherboard because of chipset can't handle 4x dual sided RAM, to get 4GB of RAM I need 2x2GB dual sided or 4x1GB single sided RAM.
I think I'll go buy more 2x1GB.
My old RAM are dual sided and the new one are single sided.
Only what I can't get it now is, why I can't pair them to get at least 3GB.
Old dual sided RAM will be on the 1st slot and new RAM ond 2nd and 3rd and I think it's not working. And if i sum up that will be 4 slots (old RAM count as 2 slots because of dual sided chips) and new one count as 1 slot because of single sided chips)

 

[trunks91]

1st slot: 1GB old RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
Result: 2GB installed

That's really strange. Gonna now insert 1 old RAM to check how is it working.

Yeah mate it defo seems like the 2 brands of RAM you're using are not compatible.

I would either buy 2 more of the new sticks you got or return the 2 you have and buy 2 more of the old RAM sticks you have.

That's all I can think of I'm afraid

Now tried with this combination:
1st slot: 1GB old RAM
2nd slot: 1GB new RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
4th slot: Empty
Result: 3GB installed (2GB usable)

Problem is that I can't refund that new memory, and can't return it for same model as my old (they don't have it).
I think I'll need to buy 2 more 1GB RAM (new one).
Should I try to update my BIOS, at this moment BIOS version is F8, and there is new version (beta) F10a.

Buying 2 more of the new one should defo sort it, Yeah you could try updating your board BIOS but I think it's just the RAM's are not compatible.

It can't hurt to try.

Found now in the manual of motherboard that my motherboard because of chipset can't handle 4x dual sided RAM, to get 4GB of RAM I need 2x2GB dual sided or 4x1GB single sided RAM.
I think I'll go buy more 2x1GB.
My old RAM are dual sided and the new one are single sided.
Only what I can't get it now is, why I can't pair them to get at least 3GB.
Old dual sided RAM will be on the 1st slot and new RAM ond 2nd and 3rd and I think it's not working. And if i sum up that will be 4 slots (old RAM count as 2 slots because of dual sided chips) and new one count as 1 slot because of single sided chips)

Well atleast you now know the issue
The joys of tech eh lol

Yeah it makes little sense to me, but that's tech for ya.

 

[Rhck]

1st slot: 1GB old RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
Result: 2GB installed

That's really strange. Gonna now insert 1 old RAM to check how is it working.

Yeah mate it defo seems like the 2 brands of RAM you're using are not compatible.

I would either buy 2 more of the new sticks you got or return the 2 you have and buy 2 more of the old RAM sticks you have.

That's all I can think of I'm afraid

Now tried with this combination:
1st slot: 1GB old RAM
2nd slot: 1GB new RAM
3rd slot: 1GB old RAM
4th slot: Empty
Result: 3GB installed (2GB usable)

Problem is that I can't refund that new memory, and can't return it for same model as my old (they don't have it).
I think I'll need to buy 2 more 1GB RAM (new one).
Should I try to update my BIOS, at this moment BIOS version is F8, and there is new version (beta) F10a.

Buying 2 more of the new one should defo sort it, Yeah you could try updating your board BIOS but I think it's just the RAM's are not compatible.

It can't hurt to try.

Found now in the manual of motherboard that my motherboard because of chipset can't handle 4x dual sided RAM, to get 4GB of RAM I need 2x2GB dual sided or 4x1GB single sided RAM.
I think I'll go buy more 2x1GB.
My old RAM are dual sided and the new one are single sided.
Only what I can't get it now is, why I can't pair them to get at least 3GB.
Old dual sided RAM will be on the 1st slot and new RAM ond 2nd and 3rd and I think it's not working. And if i sum up that will be 4 slots (old RAM count as 2 slots because of dual sided chips) and new one count as 1 slot because of single sided chips)

Well atleast you now know the issue
The joys of tech eh lol

Yeah it makes little sense to me, but that's tech for ya.

Damn' old motherboard and compatibility.
Anyway thank you for advice.
What is funny, I decided to upgrade RAM on this PC because I am going to connect this PC to the TV, so my parents can use it for their stuff, and atm I looking for components for my new PC. But I'll spend more money on that old one. LOL

P.S. DDR2 RAM is so f*****g expensive. 4GB (4x1GB) is around 79€ and 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 is 80€.

 

[trunks91]

Haha! The joys!

Oh I know haha, I was lucky to get a good deal on 8GB of DDR3, 60 GBP

No worries, anytime bud

I almost forgot to mention!
A great site for checking RAM compatibility with your motherboard is www.crucial.com