How do you get Vista to recognize 3Gb Memory?

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Guest

I just upgrade my Dell XPS 600 from 2Gb to 3Gb of memory, but Vista still
sees 2Gb of memory. My bios recognizes the 3GB of memory, but the OS doesn't.

Any suggestions on how I can correct this?
 
Assuming you have daul boot and vista loaded on a seperate drive or
partition
you could firstly see if it shows as 3Gb in windows XP if it also shows as 2
Gb in Xp it's more than likely a bios issue
in which case you could try turning Bios shadowing on or off and see if that
helps
If it's not a bios issue you could try running the "memory diagnostic tool"
from the boot loader screen
other than that I can't really say much more based on the information you
have given, there could be several issues that can cause memory not to be
shown in windows
One of which could be the clock settings of your ram if the extra ram you
have added has different clock settings that could also cause it not to show
up in windows in which case I would take it back to where you bought it and
get a ram module with exactly the same clocks settings as your other ram

I hope this helps
 
Go to Windows Help and type "Memory Diagnostics" to run the new memory
diagnostics tool. It's pretty cool. Then let us all know what you learned
about how it works.

-- Dave
 
Well I ran the Memory Diagnostics Test that ran on reboot of the system,
after I select it. There were 2 test performed and it found no problems.

Again, the bios shows 3GB and the OS only shows 2GB.

Any other suggestions?
 
Well I ran the Memory Diagnostics Test that ran on reboot of the system,
after I select it. There were 2 test performed and it found no problems.

Again, the bios shows 3GB and the OS only shows 2GB.

Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

It could be that the memory has to be installed in matched pairs in order to
work correctly.
 
Dave,
The memory was installed in matched pairs. There are 4 banks, I ordered 2GB
and there were (2) 1 GB memory sticks installed when I ordered the system,
which left 2 memory banks open. I ordered (2) 512KB memory strips and I
installed them in the 2 open banks. Bios recognized the 3GB, the OS doesn't.
 
Which version of Vista, and which build?

I do have to say 3 GB of RAM is rather unusual. I didn't even know the XPS
could support memory in that configuration.

Bill F.
 
I have that same configuration, 2 1GBs and 2 512KBs, on a ASUS PC-DL Deluxe
and Vista 5744 shows 3 GB of memory.

Doug
 
Does your system have dual channel memory ?
if it does then your memory should be install the following way;
Bank0 -1Gb module
Bank1 -512Mb module
Bank2 -1Gb module
Bank3 -512Mb module
 
Have you checked the Dell support site? Do you have the current BIOS and
chipset updates?

-- Dave
 
gzt7d8 used his keyboard to write :
Dave,
The memory was installed in matched pairs. There are 4 banks, I
ordered 2GB and there were (2) 1 GB memory sticks installed when I
ordered the system, which left 2 memory banks open. I ordered (2)
512KB memory strips and I installed them in the 2 open banks. Bios
recognized the 3GB, the OS doesn't.
Click to expand...

Are all 4 banks the same color? If not, it could be that one pair
is DDR and the other DDR2.

--
Mamamegs.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.
(Adam Savage)

Nederlandse nieuwsgroep voor Vista
alt.nl.os.windows.vista

(e-mail address removed)
 
Have you built a computer? The two have totally different pin structure and
number of pins. The BIOS shows the memory correctly.
 
After serious thinking John Barnes wrote :
Have you built a computer? The two have totally different pin
structure and number of pins. The BIOS shows the memory correctly.
Click to expand...

I've build more computers then I care to remember.... :-@
Is trying to offend someone your way to hiding your own ignorance?

--
Mamamegs.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.
(Adam Savage)

Nederlandse nieuwsgroep voor Vista
alt.nl.os.windows.vista

(e-mail address removed)
 
gzt7d8 submitted this idea :
Dave,
The memory was installed in matched pairs. There are 4 banks, I
ordered 2GB and there were (2) 1 GB memory sticks installed when I
ordered the system, which left 2 memory banks open. I ordered (2)
512KB memory strips and I installed them in the 2 open banks. Bios
recognized the 3GB, the OS doesn't.
Click to expand...

Perhaps these articles clarify something?
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1107611
http://www.2cpu.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-78532.html

--
Mamamegs.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.
(Adam Savage)

Nederlandse nieuwsgroep voor Vista
alt.nl.os.windows.vista

(e-mail address removed)
 
I've build more computers then I care to remember.... :-@
Click to expand...

Doesn't show. Building a computer with a hammer to install memory is not a
good idea and it wouldn't show in the BIOS if you did. :-)
Is trying to offend someone your way to hiding your own ignorance?
Click to expand...

Not trying to offend. Many don't build their computers, and those who do,
should know the difference.

Better to have people think you're an idiot than to open your mouth and
prove
it.
 
John Barnes was thinking very hard :
Doesn't show. Building a computer with a hammer to install memory is
not a good idea and it wouldn't show in the BIOS if you did. :-)
Click to expand...

You're funny. :-(
Not trying to offend. Many don't build their computers, and those
who do, should know the difference.
Click to expand...

I never said you can put DDR in DDR2 banks or the other way around! I
merely suggested his motherboard could have 2 different colored banks,
which is the case in a lot of mobo's these days. One takes DDR and the
other DDR2. Only, if both types are installed (in their proper slot)
the
DDR2 pair will work. Simple.
Better to have people think you're an idiot than to open your mouth
and prove it.
Click to expand...

You've got a very good point there. ^^

--
Mamamegs.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.
(Adam Savage)

Nederlandse nieuwsgroep voor Vista
alt.nl.os.windows.vista

(e-mail address removed)
 
I'll check with Dell, but if the Bios sees the 3GB of memory I'd think that
wouldn't be necessary, but I'll check anyways.
 
The memory is DDR2, the way I received the systems, Bank 0 and Bank1 had the
1Gb chips, Banks 2 and 3 were empty. I installed the new memory in the empty
banks. So why would the bios see the memory if I didn't install it in the
order that you suggested?
 
Seems odd, but the POST counts total memory, but if the BIOS reserves some
of it, as some do, for the PCI bus, that which Windows sees is the net.
Usually that is only about 250mb so it should not account for the loss you
are showing. Where are you seeing 2gb. Is it in system properties, system
information etc.. Are they all 2gb.


gzt7d8 said:
I'll check with Dell, but if the Bios sees the 3GB of memory I'd think
that
wouldn't be necessary, but I'll check anyways.
Click to expand...
 
Some boards use 0,1-2,3 and others use 0,2-1,3. Your obviously have yours
correct according to your mobo requirements. You could look at the manual,
but the odds of Dell delivering one incorrectly installed is very unlikely.
They are also colour coded so you should be able to see if your colours
match.
 
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