System recognizing only 1/2 of installed RAM......

***Navy Chief*** · April 26th, 2012, 12:24

I keep forgetting to post about this problem. Some time ago, I just happened to notice that my system is only recognizing 1/2 of the 16gb RAM installed.

Anyone know how I go about remedying this? I am running Windows 7 Ultimate

Thanks in advance,

NC

**Montie** · April 26th, 2012, 12:48

First you could try and load msconfig. Go to boot, advanced options and make sure that maximum memory is unchecked.

***Navy Chief*** · April 26th, 2012, 12:59

Originally Posted by Montie

First you could try and load msconfig. Go to boot, advanced options and make sure that maximum memory is unchecked.

Ok, went there, checked it, but maximum memory already unchecked. Thanks. NC

***fsafranek*** · April 26th, 2012, 13:46

What is the physical configuration of the RAM? 1 stick of 16gb, 2 sticks of 8gb, 4 sticks of 4gb, ...?

Prior to you noticing that it was only using half had you seen that it was using all 16?

What changes to the PC (mainly physical) had you made to the PC before this happened?

***Navy Chief*** · April 26th, 2012, 13:57

Originally Posted by fsafranek

What is the physical configuration of the RAM? 1 stick of 16gb, 2 sticks of 8gb, 4 sticks of 4gb, ...?

Prior to you noticing that it was only using half had you seen that it was using all 16?

What changes to the PC (mainly physical) had you made to the PC before this happened?

I have 4 sticks of 4gb RAM installed. My system used to recognize all 16gb. I do not know at what point that things changed. I haven't made any changes.

Thanks. NC

**Lionheart** · April 26th, 2012, 14:26

Try taking them back out, and replacing them. Maybe shuffle them around, but the main thing is to take them out of the slots and reinstall them. The connections/contacts may have been either slightly corroded from extreme humidity or they are just slightly slightly out for some reason. This has happened to me with GC's and once with RAM. One stick was slightly out for some crazy reason.

Bill

***wombat666*** · April 26th, 2012, 23:15

Good advice from Bill.
Question:What make are your modules, some are considerably better than others.

***hey_moe*** · April 27th, 2012, 00:41

Go inside your BIOS first and see if you can see it in there first, post what you see.

***capun*** · April 28th, 2012, 11:09

Not knowing your system specs, I am going to guess that they are set in matched pairs so one bank is not being recognized.

I would take the DIMM's out and check the contacts. Sometimes they get crud build up (we used to call it Monkey Snot) and they don't make contact with the socket pins.

If that is the case, carefully, very carefully use a soft pencil eraser and gently remove the crud. You have to be careful not to do it too hard and remove the gold plating. Also be sure that you are grounded and you are working with some anti-static mat.