Installed memory (RAM): 8.00 GB (4.00 GB usable)

[Straften]

SOLVED

So, I just built my first computer and it is, at least, working. I read the FAQ, which was informative, but I didn't see my specific issue. I read through a few pages of threads to make sure this hasn't been asked too recently, and I both apologize and give thanks if it has been answered previously.

I am stuck on this single-channel memory mode problem. Windows and UEFI BIOS recognize both DIMMS; however, the BIOS says Single-Channel memory mode, specifically:

total memory: 8192MB
Single-Channel memory mode
DDR3A1: 4096MB (DDR3-1333)
DDR3A2:
DDR3B1: 4096MB (DDR3-1333)
DDR3B2:

Whereas Windows 7 says:
Installed memory (RAM): 8.00 GB (4.00 GB usable)

Below I will include other system details, as they may or may not be relevant.

Mobo: ASRock 970 extreme3 (UEFI Version 970 extreme3 P1.40 [up to date])
CPU: AMD Phenom ii 965 BE
RAM: 2x G.Skill Ripjaws 4GB DDR3-1333
GPU: Geforce gtx 550 ti
PSU: 500W Cooler Master
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit

Many thanks!


Edit: I did contact ASRock, as well as G.Skill by phone; however, they both did no more than refer me to the other

Edit: I will update attempted fixes so far here, to save complete reading of the thread.

-Updated the BIOS to the most recent version

-Reinstalled RAM on A2 and B2, and on A1 and B1

-Checked, and unchecked msconfig/boot/advanced/max memory

-Cleared CMOS and restored BIOS to default

-Forced the CPU fan clamp shut, as recommended by my friend. (Initially I was uncomfortable with the amount of force necessary, as this is my first build; however, after reading about it on here, I felt more comfortable with it).

-Banged head on table

-Reinstalled DIMMS from A1/B1 back to A2/B2

-Swapped RAM sticks' places, i.e. A2 to B2 and B2 to A2

-Booted with each stick separately, one stick was fine, the other failed to boot each time. This was done using the DDR3_A1 slot for both, as to eliminate the possibility of a faulty DIMM slot as the cause. This was repeated several times with the same result each time.

-Mailed back bad RAM stick and submitted necessary RMA paperwork through G.Skill directly (newegg can not accept 1 of the 2 DIMMS, but the manufacturer can).

-SOLVED: New stick arrived, and upon installation, solved the problem.

 

[Straften]

Windows would not be able to affect the BIOS, that is right.

Windows is located on the hard drive, the BIOS is located on the motherboard itself.

As I mentioned before, the single channel mode thing doesn't affect the maximum capacity of RAM. All it affects is efficiency of RAM usage.

My computer has 8 GBs of RAM in it and it is in dual channel mode. The motherboard said to put the sticks in slots A1 and B1 and that's what I did. Windows lists my RAM as 8 GBs with 7.9 GBs usable.

Even if I moved my RAM to A1 and B2, breaking dual channel mode it would still say 8 GBs with 7.9 GBs usable. My computer would just run 2% slower or whatever.

I don't know why your sticks wouldn't be in dual channel, but it really sounds like it has nothing to do with the amount of RAM recognized by Windows.

Windows clearly sees the whole 8 GB is present, it just doesn't opt to use 4 GBs of it for whatever reason I don't know.

In any event, I would strongly encourage you to reinstall windows before you start RMAing things.

After calling Microsoft, and being refered to ASRock, we tried something I should have thought of myself. I booted with 1 stick of RAM in A1: Successful boot. Switched to the other stick of ram in A1: boot failure. After repeating this a few times to be sure, can we safely assume that I received a bad RAM stick?

 

[nikorr]

Can u try to boot in the safe mode?

 

[Straften]

Can u try to boot in the safe mode?

it wont boot at all with the bad ram stick. I'll just start the RMA process. I'll update this thread if replacing the stick works!

 

[nikorr]

Hopefully new RAM will fix it. That's the last check : )

Than it would be the mobo or the PSU.

 

[Raiddinn]

That is weird. I think it must be the first time I have heard of Windows refusing to use a stick of RAM because Windows thinks the RAM is bad.

Good catch on their part.

 

[Straften]

New RAM stick arrived, and I booted with it to make sure it was good. Once that worked, I put in the other good stick (with the machine off obviously,) and just like that BIOS recognized dual channel mode. Windows recognizes, and is using 8GB. I am happy 😀

So, in conclusion, if you have a computer in which

windows sees 8BG, but says only 4 are usable,
and,
the BIOS will not go into Dual-Channel mode with DIMMS installed,

chances are you have a bad DIMM! I suppose it would be the same for SIMM, but lets not go there on assumptions. Good luck and thanks everyone!

 

[CVN72]

My case solved:
Fujitsu LH520
Installed RAM:
KINGMAX DDR3-1066 2GB
SAMSUNG DDR3-1066 2GB
=> BIOS see them, Windows see them
=> Dual channel, with CPU-Z
=> installed 4GB, 2050MB "hardware reserved"

Installed RAM:
SAMSUNG DDR3-1066 2GB
=> installed 2GB, 2MB "hardware reserved"

Installed RAM:
KINGMAX DDR3-1066 2GB
=> CANNOT BOOT !!!

Installed RAM:
SAMSUNG DDR3-1333 2GB
=> installed 2GB, 2MB hardware reserved

Installed RAM:
SAMSUNG DDR3-1333 2GB
SAMSUNG DDR3-1066 2GB
=> installed 4GB, 2MB hardware reserved
Available: 2975MB
Cached: 1298MB
Total: 4094MB
Installed: 4096MB

Installed system: Windows 7 SP1 64-bit
In msconfig, normal boot selected.
In boot, advanced option, max. memory unchecked.
No memory remapping or frame buffer options in BIOS settings.

Conclusion:
In-compatible memory WITH WINDOWS 7 ONLY !!!
or dead memory of the KINGMAX D3-1333 !!!