Two RAM channels stopped working

Forums › Desktop computing › Two RAM channels stopped working

petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#89189 27-Aug-2011 18:16

Hi guys
My PC is acting a bit strange, I've been running 8gb RAM on Windows 7 64-bit for almost a year but now Windows task manager and even the BIOS is now reporting I have only 4gb.

Bizarrely, CPU-Z still reports the usual 8gb. I've tried switching the RAM sticks around and determined that they all still work so its the two RAM channels closest to the CPU on the motherboard that do not.

I've had a read through a lot forums over the last couple of days but all the suggestions are only slightly relevant to my case and have not helped anyway.

I have run memtest86 and it came back with no errors.

I have also been upgrading my PC lately so I suspect it could be to do with this. Is it possible if the 250w psu can not supply enough power to the PC it will shut down two of the RAM channels?

Any suggestions however wild, would be welcomed!
Thanks :)

1 | 2

274 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#512945 27-Aug-2011 20:01

ok you may have a setting in bios called max mem..... or some thing like that.

after a quick google : http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/49164-memory-shows-half-value-installed.html

what is you mobo?

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#513029 28-Aug-2011 10:20

CADMAX: ok you may have a setting in bios called max mem..... or some thing like that.

after a quick google : http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/49164-memory-shows-half-value-installed.html

what is you mobo?

Yeah I checked that, in msconfig right? Both Max memory and number of processors are unchecked.

My motherboard is an Intel PCH H57

mxpress

376 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 17

#513041 28-Aug-2011 11:35

Hmmm, 250 watt PSU is a bit low in the PSU stakes. I would think that ram issues aside, you should seriously consider replacing it with a higher capacity on. 500 watt are common place these days and they are not expensive.

mxpress

petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#513045 28-Aug-2011 11:48

mxpress: Hmmm, 250 watt PSU is a bit low in the PSU stakes. I would think that ram issues aside, you should seriously consider replacing it with a higher capacity on. 500 watt are common place these days and they are not expensive.

Yeah its the stock psu that came with my Inspiron 580s. I was suckered in with the sleek slimline case and am paying for it now haha!

Apparently the slim case can only fit TFX power supplys (really small ones), which are hard to come by in NZ. But I found this one: http://pointtek.ecrater.com/p/11854889/dell-inspiron-580s-tower-power#
Does it look any good? I don't know a lot about psus.

I would get it if I knew it would fix my RAM problem, but I'm also curious to know would upgrading the psu have any other benefits?
I assumed that if the psu can't handle the power requirements it just wouldn't boot up.

CADMAX

274 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#513073 28-Aug-2011 13:51

i think you maybe low of power.......

If your power supply was border line then it may boot up and not run at full power...

If you have a mate with a more powerful PSU you could just plug the bigger unit in and see?
do the open case thing and have all the cables coming out.

let us know how you get on.

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#514077 30-Aug-2011 20:37

CADMAX: i think you maybe low of power.......

If your power supply was border line then it may boot up and not run at full power...

If you have a mate with a more powerful PSU you could just plug the bigger unit in and see?
do the open case thing and have all the cables coming out.

let us know how you get on.

Hmm I don't know anyone who will let me rip their psu out of their PC or has a spare lying around... I think I'll just order the one I found in that link and hope for the best. Thanks guys!

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#521878 16-Sep-2011 11:56

Well I have the new 400w power supply installed now but its still only showing 4gb of RAM in the Task Manager yet CPU-Z still says 8gb.

Most annoying! Any other ideas?

jaymz

1136 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 76

#521997 16-Sep-2011 15:01

gurthang117:
Most annoying! Any other ideas?

Firmware update on the MainBoard?

What upgrades have you done recently?

petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#521999 16-Sep-2011 15:07

jaymz:
gurthang117:
Most annoying! Any other ideas?

Firmware update on the MainBoard?

What upgrades have you done recently?

I tried the "INF Update Utility" for my mobo (Intel H57). Was that the firmware update you're thinking of?

I recently upgraded my CPU to an i5 760 and that was, I think, about the same time I noticed the change in RAM

petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#522008 16-Sep-2011 15:12

Heres an image of CPU-Z and the Resource Monitor if it helps in any way...

https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/bloga99ca1eca78065923fe2cf7c2a3a6b70.jpg

jaymz

1136 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 76

#522009 16-Sep-2011 15:14

What is the model of your motherboard? I guess the INF update is the firmware util, but it is good to confirm firmware versions of the board to make sure they are current.

You will be able to see the version in the BIOS. Then compare that to the firmware releases on the intel site for the model of your motherboard.

The last time I saw this it was due to a RAM DIMM needing re-seating, but you have already tried this.

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#522031 16-Sep-2011 15:42

All I could find in the BIOS about a version was: "A06 07/06/2010". So maybe I haven't updated it properly, but I can't seem to find any other resources for it on the Intel site...

I think my mobo model is: OC2KJT

Heres a few screens from the Dell Support Center which scans my PC with some details (the 8gb of RAM also shows up as individual chips in this program even though it still says total RAM is 4gb)

https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/efa857e9caeb37eeb9bcfbbd16221346.jpg
https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/095765cfc0f31d3b67f2a7cbecc9eef6.jpg

jaymz

1136 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 76

#522034 16-Sep-2011 15:47

whip down a copy of Belarc http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

and run a scan. it should pull up some more info on the board type etc.

Looking at the version number i would say it is a bit old, however there may not be any newer updates. good to check though.

jaymz

1136 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 76

#522047 16-Sep-2011 15:59

http://supportapj.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=au&cs=audhs1&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R2877...

not sure if that link will work or not, but on the dell support site there is a A07 firmware version for your pc. give that a go.

petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#522050 16-Sep-2011 16:02

Ok Belarc came back with:

Main Circuit Board
Board: Dell Inc. 0C2KJT A00
Serial Number: ..CN7360409D06M3.
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Inc. A06 07/06/2010

Processor
2.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5 760
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache
8192 kilobyte tertiary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (4 total)
Not hyper-threaded

Memory Modules
4056 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM1' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM2' has 2048 MB (serial number 1741BA75)
Slot 'DIMM3' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM4' has 2048 MB (serial number 1781BA76)

1 | 2