BIOS reporting wrong RAM capacity

[daddystabz]

I downloaded System Info for Windows last night so I could get detailed info on all my system's hardware. I went in the software to read the details on my RAM. I have installed:


max memory module size= 32 mbytes
Memory slots= 4
400 MHZ DDR 2 @ 270.3 MHZ (PC2-6400)
Corsair CM2X1024-6400
1024 MB capacity

However, the software is reporting that my BIOS is reporting the incorrect maximum capacity for my RAM. The software is listing my max capacity as 2048 MBytes, as reported by my BIOS. However, I have 4 sticks inserted at a total capacity of 4 GB and this is what it states in my Control Panel in the System section. In addition, I've been noticing lately in my taskbar that I keep getting the white flag PC issues notification icon from Win 7 telling me I have an issue with my PC. It is saying:

"Run Windows diagnostics to troubleshoot the problem
Your computer might be encountering a memory problem. Memory problems are typically caused by hardware failures, such as a problem with random access memory (RAM). If this is a memory problem and it's not fixed, you might lose information, or your computer might stop working.

To check for a memory problem, restart your computer. While restarting, Windows will test your computer's memory hardware components for problems and display the results."

I ran this test last night and it found no memory issues.

Is there something I will need to adjust in my BIOS to fix this? I snooped around in there late last night and couldn't really find anything.

 

[Raiddinn]

I think your motherboard is old enough that it probably can't recognize that much RAM.

List your motherboard maker and model number so I can investigate that, please.

 

[daddystabz]

My motherboard is an EVGA NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI.

 

[daddystabz]

I also wonder if I should upgrade my RAM soon because it might be a bit slow now. I'm not sure what speed to get though as yet that will be compatible with my motherboard.

 

[Raiddinn]

Seems like the motherboard is good enough to handle up to 8 GBs.

Have you tried taking the battery out for 15 minutes?

There is a setting in windows that may be limiting you as well.

Start
Run
MSConfig
Boot.ini
Advanced Options

In there is some check boxes, one of them is a limiter for max ram see if it is checked.

 

[daddystabz]

Memory Summary Reported by BIOS
Warning! Wrong values reported by BIOS
Maximum Capacity 2048 MBytes [Wrong value reported by BIOS]
Maximum Memory Module Size 32 MBytes
Memory Slots 4
Error Correction None
DRAM Frequency 400.0 MHz
Memory Timings 5-5-5-18 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Device Locator Slot 1
Manufacturer Corsair
Part Number CM2X1024-6400
Capacity 1024 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-6400)
Speed 400 MHz (DDR2 800)
Supported Frequencies 270.3 MHz, 400.0 MHz
Memory Timings 4-4-4-13-15 at 270.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-18-22 at 400.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
Manufacturing Date 2006, Week 23
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No

Device Locator Slot 2
Manufacturer Corsair
Part Number CM2X1024-6400
Capacity 1024 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-6400)
Speed 400 MHz (DDR2 800)
Supported Frequencies 270.3 MHz, 400.0 MHz
Memory Timings 4-4-4-13-15 at 270.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-18-22 at 400.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
Manufacturing Date 2006, Week 23
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No

Device Locator Slot 3
Manufacturer Corsair
Part Number CM2X1024-6400
Capacity 1024 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-6400)
Speed 400 MHz (DDR2 800)
Supported Frequencies 270.3 MHz, 400.0 MHz
Memory Timings 4-4-4-13-15 at 270.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-18-22 at 400.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No

Device Locator Slot 4
Manufacturer Corsair
Part Number CM2X1024-6400
Capacity 1024 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-6400)
Speed 400 MHz (DDR2 800)
Supported Frequencies 270.3 MHz, 400.0 MHz
Memory Timings 4-4-4-13-15 at 270.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-18-22 at 400.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No

 

[daddystabz]

Boot Advanced Options: Debug port and baud rate had checkmarks but were grayed out.

 

[Raiddinn]

It seems like you should be able to use 2GB DDR2 800 sticks with that motherboard, which gives twice the RAM.

It will only help if you are using a 64 bit OS, though. If you have a 32 bit OS then 4 GB is the max.

 

[Raiddinn]

Was maximum memory checked?

 

[daddystabz]

No.

Was maximum memory checked?

P.S. My OS is Windows 7 64 bit.

 

[Raiddinn]

Did you take the battery out for 15 minutes?

 

[daddystabz]

No. You are speaking of the nickel cadmium round battery in the motherboard? I assume it is ok for me to handle it with my bare hands.

 

[Raiddinn]

It should be a lithium ion battery, but yes the one that looks like a quarter, probably situated between the processor and the first video card slot somewhere.

Yes you can handle it with your bare hands.

It is a battery, like a AA but shaped different. Regular 3 volt battery, nothing special. Watches and hundreds of other things use the CR2032 as well for tiny amounts of power to remember simple things.

If you have a clock that you can pull the cord out of the wall and put it back in and it remembers the time, it probably has this battery in it.

I wouldn't go purposefully getting the oil from my hands on the contacts (the side facing down) if I could avoid it, but it is easy enough to handle by the sides that it isn't a big deal.

They sell these batteries for $1.50 on Amazon (CR 2032).

All you have to do is gently push on the metal thing holding the battery down with a flat screwdriver and it will pop itself right out of the case, then you can grab it from wherever it landed.