The missing memory...

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freitasm

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#29757 18-Jan-2009 09:33

I am running my Windows Home Server for some time now with 2.5 GB RAM. Every now and then when I reboot it Windows will report only 2 GB RAM and CPUZ will show only two slots in use instead of three.

I bet it's a motherboard problem, or it could be a memory problem, but would like to hear any ideas from you folks.

eXDee

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#190328 18-Jan-2009 10:08

Reseat modules. Try each individually. Try different slots. The usual stuff, as you've probably tried.
Though correct me if im wrong, wont dual channel work only if you have the same memory in each channel, so the extra 512mb stick would prevent it from working??

freitasm

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#190329 18-Jan-2009 10:11

Yes, tried that, they seem to work - it's quite random. And the modules work even on 3/4 of the seats...

heavenlywild

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#190331 18-Jan-2009 10:24

Interesting discussion!

My Mum's laptop has the reverse issue - it only has 1gb RAM installed but Vista shows it has 2gb worth.

I upgraded Mum's laptop with another 1gb worth of RAM (now making it 2gb in total). The laptop is definitely utilising the extra gig and the system is reporting 2gb RAM, which is correct, but odd since before the upgrade it already showed 2gb.

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MrAlan

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#190348 18-Jan-2009 12:29

COuld it be a Windows bug...does the BIOS report the correct amount of memory each time?

juha

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#190365 18-Jan-2009 13:34

If the DIMMs are different sizes/capacity (e.g. 1 + 1 + .5GB) some motherboards can have issues with this, and do funky random things like ignore an entire module.

Doesn't using three DIMMs disable dual-channel operation anyway, so the 512MB you add results in lower memory performance than using just the two 1GB ones? (If that's what you have, that is.)

Juha

dpw

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#190366 18-Jan-2009 13:38

I had the exact same problem which was fixed just before Xmas. The randomness kinda pointed me towards MoBo and I was right - replaced the MoBo and the machine hasn't missed a beat running 24/7 ever since.

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