Missing 4 GB of Memory

xptowindows8

New Member
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13
My DELL Inspiron registered Physical Memory - 8 GB, when I first purchased it 15 months ago, and upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 88.1 PRo X64.

It comes with [2X4 CB] of DDR3 RAM.Recently I did a PSU Upgrade, and on a hunch, I checked the amount of Memory installed in Comtrl Panel >? System and it shows : 4 GB.

Using Belarc advisor it shows only 4 GB in DIMM #1 and nothing in DIMM #2 . I also have Upfated my A11 AMBIOS BIOS from DELL site





Using a process of Elimination suggested, these are the results I tested on individual Memory with Individual Memory Channels or sockets.


- Starting with what I got with I had installed now, I assume that the Memory stick on DIMM #1 is - Good and obviously DIMM #1 socket is good too. [ indicated by Belarc- advisor on the screenshot]

cGYoEnTb.png



QLI9Bmo.png




- Popped out the Memory Stick from DIMM #2, and snapped back the retaining clicks and Rebooted
>>> Booted well, and obviously shows 4 GB in System.

- Cleaned the gold contacts of the removed Memory stick from DIMM #2, and air blasted the memory channel as well. Reinstalled by making sure it is seated well [ the clips snapped back in place, when pressure is applied to the Memory stick ] - This step is obviously to eliminate the possibility that the Contacts or the channels are "dirty".
>>> Rebooted, Same result showing 4 GB.

- Nest, Pop out the Memory stick from DIMM #2 , making sure I made a indication on the Memory to identified it, not to mix up with the one on DIMM #!. Popped out the memory stick from DIMM #1 and installed it on DIMM #2, and snapped back the clicks on DIMM #1 and Rebooted.
>> Won't boot, Beeping noise heard. That elimiated the Memory stick that I removed is Good and I confirmed that in the Next step.

- Air blasted The Memory Channel, making no dust accumulated , and I installed the Original Memory stick that I cleaned from DIMM #2 , and installed it on DIMM #1. Rebooted well,and it still shows 4 GB in System.



- I am kinda upset that I cannot use the other 4 GB, kinda settle with the notion DIMM #2 is "Bad"


Is there anything else I can try?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
I would say that for some reason, that the PSU might have something to do with it. What is the brand and model number of the PSU?





Why exactly did you change the PSU without doing any upgrades that require any more watts?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro With Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom ll X4 840
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2
    Memory
    Crucial 4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac GeForce GTX 560 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC887 (OnBoard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer V196WLB, HP w1907
    Screen Resolution
    1440, 900 (60 Hz)
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar SE16 (568 GB),
    WD Caviar Blue (500 GB)
    PSU
    Corsiar CX 600
    Case
    Some case from 2001
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T4
    Keyboard
    Dell USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Gateway USB Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Wave Cable
    Browser
    IE11, Safari, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Security Essentials, MalwareBytes, EMET v4.0
    Other Info
    Rosewell front USB and cardreader,
    HP DVD burner(x2),
    Pinnacle Systems Firewire card
I would say that for some reason, that the PSU might have something to do with it. What is the brand and model number of the PSU?






Why exactly did you change the PSU without doing any upgrades that require any more watts?


Thermaltake TR2 500W Power Supply

- Might want to upgrade the Video Caed, if I find a deal, also, I have 2 SATA Drive + 1 SSD [ C:\] installed.

Funny, I tried a couple of times to Reset the BIOS to Factory settings, but I seem to end up with the updated BIOS A11 AMBIOS?

If the BIOS and Windows cannot see the other 4 gigs,must be a BIOS problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
That PSU is a reliable PSU. It is DEFINENTLY a bios problem. The weird thing is, my friend has a dell inspiron laptop and updated to that bios and now had only 2 GB of the 4GB shown (It said 2.00 GB, not 4GB installed 2Gb usable). Its is a bug.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro With Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom ll X4 840
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2
    Memory
    Crucial 4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac GeForce GTX 560 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC887 (OnBoard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer V196WLB, HP w1907
    Screen Resolution
    1440, 900 (60 Hz)
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar SE16 (568 GB),
    WD Caviar Blue (500 GB)
    PSU
    Corsiar CX 600
    Case
    Some case from 2001
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T4
    Keyboard
    Dell USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Gateway USB Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Wave Cable
    Browser
    IE11, Safari, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Security Essentials, MalwareBytes, EMET v4.0
    Other Info
    Rosewell front USB and cardreader,
    HP DVD burner(x2),
    Pinnacle Systems Firewire card
I would say that for some reason, that the PSU might have something to do with it. What is the brand and model number of the PSU?






Why exactly did you change the PSU without doing any upgrades that require any more watts?


Thermaltake TR2 500W Power Supply

- Might want to upgrade the Video Caed, if I find a deal, also, I have 2 SATA Drive + 1 SSD [ C:\] installed.

Funny, I tried a couple of times to Reset the BIOS to Factory settings, but I seem to end up with the updated BIOS A11 AMBIOS?

If the BIOS and Windows cannot see the other 4 gigs,must be a BIOS problem.



Too bad I don't seem to be able to REe-nstalled the Original the BIOS that came with the DELL, and It probably won't let me install an Older version.

Might have to make some "noise: in the DELL Forum about the "bug", if your friend has the same problem with the memory.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
It might. The worst that can happen is that the installer wont install the files. Try it! Have a good night :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro With Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom ll X4 840
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2
    Memory
    Crucial 4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac GeForce GTX 560 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC887 (OnBoard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer V196WLB, HP w1907
    Screen Resolution
    1440, 900 (60 Hz)
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar SE16 (568 GB),
    WD Caviar Blue (500 GB)
    PSU
    Corsiar CX 600
    Case
    Some case from 2001
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T4
    Keyboard
    Dell USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Gateway USB Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Wave Cable
    Browser
    IE11, Safari, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Security Essentials, MalwareBytes, EMET v4.0
    Other Info
    Rosewell front USB and cardreader,
    HP DVD burner(x2),
    Pinnacle Systems Firewire card
To me your testing has proved that DIMM #2 is bad. Unless you still have a warantee in effect, head on over to crucial.com and buy a replacement (or better yet an upgrade!).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 consumer 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire M5 481PT-6644
    CPU
    Intel Core I5
    Memory
    6 GB
    Hard Drives
    Spinning/SSD hybrid 500GB/20GB
    Mouse
    ELAN Trackpad
    Internet Speed
    18mbs/5mbs
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Yes, that might also be the problem. What are you using your PC using for? Usually for moderate gaming or just other things, 4gb is just fine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro With Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom ll X4 840
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2
    Memory
    Crucial 4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac GeForce GTX 560 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC887 (OnBoard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer V196WLB, HP w1907
    Screen Resolution
    1440, 900 (60 Hz)
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar SE16 (568 GB),
    WD Caviar Blue (500 GB)
    PSU
    Corsiar CX 600
    Case
    Some case from 2001
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T4
    Keyboard
    Dell USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Gateway USB Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Wave Cable
    Browser
    IE11, Safari, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Security Essentials, MalwareBytes, EMET v4.0
    Other Info
    Rosewell front USB and cardreader,
    HP DVD burner(x2),
    Pinnacle Systems Firewire card
I would say that for some reason, that the PSU might have something to do with it. What is the brand and model number of the PSU?







Why exactly did you change the PSU without doing any upgrades that require any more watts?


Thermaltake TR2 500W Power Supply

- Might want to upgrade the Video Caed, if I find a deal, also, I have 2 SATA Drive + 1 SSD [ C:\] installed.

Funny, I tried a couple of times to Reset the BIOS to Factory settings, but I seem to end up with the updated BIOS A11 AMBIOS?

If the BIOS and Windows cannot see the other 4 gigs,must be a BIOS problem.

If I could make a suggestion to a video card I would highly recommend the GTX 750 Ti. The reference model doesn't even have a pci-e power plug so it would be a great performer for light gaming and will save you on your energy bill.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro With Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom ll X4 840
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2
    Memory
    Crucial 4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac GeForce GTX 560 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC887 (OnBoard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer V196WLB, HP w1907
    Screen Resolution
    1440, 900 (60 Hz)
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar SE16 (568 GB),
    WD Caviar Blue (500 GB)
    PSU
    Corsiar CX 600
    Case
    Some case from 2001
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T4
    Keyboard
    Dell USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Gateway USB Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Wave Cable
    Browser
    IE11, Safari, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Security Essentials, MalwareBytes, EMET v4.0
    Other Info
    Rosewell front USB and cardreader,
    HP DVD burner(x2),
    Pinnacle Systems Firewire card
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