Official GIGABYTE Forum

BIOS not recognising all RAM

BIOS not recognising all RAM
« on: September 10, 2011, 01:20:42 pm »
I have recently upgraded from 1GB ram (2x 512mb) to 4GB (4x 1GB) on my Gigabyte GA-8ANXP-D motherboard. I then found out that Windows 7 32bit doesn't support 4GB only 3GB, doh!

However, my BIOS isn't recognising the whole 4GB either. It only recognised 3GB



I originally thought this meant that i hadn't installed one of the RAM cards properly, however I used CPU-Z to check that all 4GB of RAM was present.






Can anyone explain why the BIOS only shows the 3GB and what/ if anything I can do to fix this?

Thanks, PC details below.






PC Details

Windows 7 Home Premium x86

System  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Manufacturer GBT___
  Model AWRDACPI
  Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz
  Total amount of system memory 3.00 GB RAM
  System type 32-bit operating system
  Number of processor cores 1
  64-bit capable No
 
Storage  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Total size of hard disk(s) 2049 GB
  Disk partition (C:) 155 GB Free (186 GB Total)
  Disk partition (D:) 333 GB Free (466 GB Total)
  Disk partition (E:) 657 GB Free (1397 GB Total)
  
 
Graphics  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Display adapter type NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
  Total available graphics memory 1535 MB
        Dedicated graphics memory 256 MB
        Dedicated system memory 0 MB
        Shared system memory 1279 MB
  Display adapter driver version 8.17.12.5896
  Primary monitor resolution 1280x1024
  DirectX version DirectX 9.0 or better
 
« Last Edit: September 10, 2011, 01:22:15 pm by nickeverett »

F5BJR

  • 478
  • 31
Re: BIOS not recognising all RAM
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2011, 01:33:30 pm »
*
That is normal with 32 bits platform

Pierre
GA-X58A-UD5 I7 930
6x2Go KINGSTON 9905403-084
ENERMAX Modu 82+
Sharkoon REBEL12
2*HD5770SingleSlot+PCI-HD4350
2xSENSY 26'
2xBOX 5HD HotPlug
3xBOX 34HD MaxinPower
2x AD4SR5HPMU Addonics 8x1ToWDGreen 
4x 1TO RAID10 ICH10+1 BACKUP OS
2 * RR622 HighPoint
Sata 88SX7042  
AverMedia H727

Dark Mantis

  • *
  • 18405
  • 414
  • 10typesofpeopleoneswhoknow binaryandoneswhodont
    • Dark Mantis
Re: BIOS not recognising all RAM
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2011, 01:37:28 pm »
As Pierre said if you are running a 32 bit operating system then you will not be able to see/use any more than a theortical 4GB. It usually works out to be a little less than that in reality depending on your setup. If you have a graphics card with it's own memory then that will affect the amount the system sees of your main RAM.
« Last Edit: September 10, 2011, 01:39:59 pm by Dark Mantis »
Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy

Re: BIOS not recognising all RAM
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2011, 01:45:00 pm »
I understand that the OS will see less that 4gb, but why is the BIOS only seeing 3gb?

Shouldnt the BIOS see 4gb and windows only use 3gb?

Also, the CPUID:OF34 Patch ID:0013 error message only started appearing since I introduced the new RAM.

Dark Mantis

  • *
  • 18405
  • 414
  • 10typesofpeopleoneswhoknow binaryandoneswhodont
    • Dark Mantis
Re: BIOS not recognising all RAM
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2011, 01:59:44 pm »
As I erxplained depending on your system less than 4 GB will be available. However of course you could have a fauilty module as just because it is new doesn't mean that it can't be faulty.

Is all the memory exactly the same eg make, model, timings etc ?  If it is then I suggest trying this but it will take a long time to be certain:

Please follow these instructions exactly.

I would suggest that you download and run the latest version of  Memtest86+ to check your RAM first.

Memtest86+        http://www.memtest.org/

Insert one stick of memory in slot 1 and run Memtest on it for at least 10 complete loops/cycles and if there are no errors then swap it over with the next one and continue untill you have checked all  modules.
 
If you have any errors the module is faulty.

If you have any faulty modules you will have to return the whole kit as they are matched.

Post back when you have done that with the results.
Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy

Tinker

  • 139
  • 6
Re: BIOS not recognising all RAM
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2011, 12:47:54 pm »
If all else fails & memory modules are OK go for 2x2gb in original slots that worked  before,
ensuring correct spec for board. Easiest workaround.

On X48T ran 2x1gb no problem until I added another matched 2x1gb pair. Bios read 4GB but
had contiual freezing. Replaced with 2x2gb, now back to dual mode & no problems. Found
no faults with 4x1gb modules. Quirky board ? !!!


Regards tinker.

Dark Mantis

  • *
  • 18405
  • 414
  • 10typesofpeopleoneswhoknow binaryandoneswhodont
    • Dark Mantis
Re: BIOS not recognising all RAM
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2011, 01:19:21 pm »
Yes Tinker it has been known. I have come across similar situations myself.
Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy