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Cannot Read Total Memory

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by wkc0123 Oct 12, 2002 last reply Jan 11, 2003

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I installed 2x256 MB SDRAM on the board. When booting the computer, it told me there are 192 MB. I tried to install 1x256+1x128+1x64 (Totally 448MB), however It told me 320 MB when booting the computer.

Should I do some setting on the BIOS and how to?

My computer is P-III system.

Thank you for your help.

Kenneth

7 replies

by maxwell edison Oct 12, 2002

I would think that you have one of two things happening.

First, check your motherboard manual for the RAM criteria. You need to verify several things, including the maximum RAM allowed, the maximum RAM allowed in each memory slot, and the acceptable "combination" of RAM size (where you can put what). If the 256 MB DIMM, for example, exceeds the maximum allowable for a slot, it could mess up everything. If you don't have a manual, the manufacturer's Web site should have one for you.

Second, I've found that many computers don't like mixing up RAM. Three (identical) 128 MB DIMMS, for example, might be more friendly than the combination you're trying. And make sure the RAM speed is adequate for your motherboard. (This can also can be found in the manual.) For example, if your board has a FSB (front side bus) speed of 133 MHz, and you're trying to use 100 MHz RAM, it will mess things up.

The BIOS should not come into play, and there are no settings that should be changed. If all the criteria is met, it should automatically detect the RAM.

by wkc0123 Jan 11, 2003

The question was auto-closed by TechRepublic

by thechas Oct 13, 2002

My first thought is that your system is only seeing 1/2 of the 256MB DIMM.

Does your motherboard support 256MB DIMMs?
If not, then that is the problem.

Some of the latest SDRAM DIMMs will not function correctly in motherboards that are more than 1 year old. They just cannot deal with the newest hi-density IC's.

You can check with the motherboard mfg, and see if they have a BIOS update that specifically addresses this issue.

If your motherboard uses RDRAM, it is best to install it in matched pairs.
Keep in mind that Windows 9X and Me have a known issue with more than 511MB of RAM.
So, if you are using one of those OS's, your system may not boot properly with more than 448MB anyway.

My second thought is, do you have on-board video?
On-board video uses part of systtem RAM for the video RAM.
If the BIOS on your motherboard is designed to use a percentage instead of a fixed amount of available RAM, then that may be where the extra RAM has gone.

If you do have on-board video, there should be a setting in BIOS settings to allocate memory to the video system.

Chas