RAM not running in dual channel. 4/16 GB Available.

[ser710]

Hello everyone. I've been having this problem recently where the DDR3 doesn't run in dual channel. Currently I only have 3.97GB of usable memory out of 16GB.
I have this RAM installed.

The numbers in all 4 slots are the same.
I have a MSI 970 G46 with the latest BIOS.

Don't know what more information do you need, if any ill gladly provide it.

 

[Tradesman1]

What CPU and Mobo -

 

[ser710]

What CPU and Mobo -

I have a MSI 970 G46 with the latest BIOS.
AMD 8150 running at stock speeds.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

What OS are you using? 32-bit Windows can't use more than 4GB of RAM. You need 64-bit Windows to use more than 4GB of RAM.

 

[ser710]

What OS are you using? 32-bit Windows can't use more than 4GB of RAM. You need 64-bit Windows to use more than 4GB of RAM.

In the image I posted it clearly says 64-bit operating system.

 

[Tradesman1]

Try reseating all sticks, if no joy try with 2 sticks in 1-3 or try in 2-4 and see if it picks up dual channel, also look in MSCONFIG the boot tab, advanced and see if Max Mem is checked

 

[shortstuff_mt]

What OS are you using? 32-bit Windows can't use more than 4GB of RAM. You need 64-bit Windows to use more than 4GB of RAM.

In the image I posted it clearly says 64-bit operating system.

I apologize. My work internet blocks images, so I couldn't see the image. I'm not the only one I've seen with this problem in these forums. You may want to include all the pertinent information in the OP instead of pictures in the future.

 

[ser710]

Try reseating all sticks, if no joy try with 2 sticks in 1-3 or try in 2-4 and see if it picks up dual channel, also look in MSCONFIG the boot tab, advanced and see if Max Mem is checked

I checked Maximum Memory since it was unchecked and at 0. Once checked it went to 16384. Did a restart and it still displayed 16GB (3.97gb Usable) under system. Should I check "Make all boot setting permanent?" and try again?

 

[ser710]

I apologize. My work internet blocks images, so I couldn't see the image. I'm not the only one I've seen with this problem in these forums. You may want to include all the pertinent information in the OP instead of pictures in the future.

I apologize if I sounded harsh but it is driving me insane, I have tried switching the sticks, cleaning the slots. This has been occurring for quite some time now and I don't think it could be a problem with the sticks or the slots since the system detects them and the 4 RAMs are displayed in the BIOS.

 

[Tradesman1]

May want to pull the CPU and check for bent or broken pins, that can affect the DRAM

 

[Lee-m]

I remember reading a similar problem on the forum where the mem max thing didn't work, and the answer was to go into bios and reduce the clock speed on the ram. Not ideal, but if it works you can trouble shoot from there.

 

[ser710]

May want to pull the CPU and check for bent or broken pins, that can affect the DRAM

I tried your suggestion from earlier.
The first pair worked perfectly in dual channel on 1-3 and then 2-4. It showed the 8 GB fully available.
The second pair was different. It shows only 3.97 Usable out of 8GB.

I did notice a little scratch in one of the pins on the second pair. Could that be the reason the ram is not working?

 

[ser710]

I remember reading a similar problem on the forum where the mem max thing didn't work, and the answer was to go into bios and reduce the clock speed on the ram. Not ideal, but if it works you can trouble shoot from there.

I tried this and my PC wouldn't start. It made a noise similar to a fan speeding up and then lowering its speed. I think it could've been one of the HDDs. Shut it off and then turned it on for about 5 times with no luck. Took out one of the sticks and then it worked normally.

 

[Lee-m]

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1892857/45gb-usable-6gb-ram-windows-64bit.html

Here is another thread with pretty much the same problem.

Turned out it was the ram used was not on the mobo approved list, and its just an incompatibility.

I have never seen this issue in person, so thats really all the help I can give you.

 

[ser710]

Now all the memories are working fine. Don't know why but it now says only 15/16 GB are usable. They are working in Dual mode which is great. I cleaned all of them with an eraser and that helped the faulty ram. I also lowered the MHz to 800, they were at 1066.

Does anyone know why 1GB of RAM is not available, either way that is more than enough for me. Hopefully everything is stable for now on.