#! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

ansem_of_nexus · 2012-10-13 19:58:24

This was why I left windows, now #! is doing it.

So I have this lovely problem of my #! doesn't see all my ram, I have 5gb ddr2 in a 3GHZ HT P4

bois:
total ememory            5120 mb
memory mode            dual channel
memory channel a slot 0        2048 mb
memory channel a slot 1        512 mb
memory channel b slot 0        2048 mb
memory channel b slot 1        512 mb

inxi -I
Info:      Processes 135 Uptime 5 min Memory 166.4/3273.0MB Client Shell inxi 1.4.21

#! info
inxi -S
System:    Host Nexus Kernel 2.6.32-5-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Distro CrunchBang Linux statler

I have tossed in the system info just in case it is of help, this is a out of box #! and has never had an update including the welcome message.

wuxmedia · 2012-10-13 23:15:43

run memtest on the stick from the live CD?
mismatched pairs? (not that possible)
some weird low-density ram issue?
badly seated?
try the sticks one - by one, even if only for the BIOS. and to test seating.

good luck

ansem_of_nexus · 2012-10-30 23:36:22

Ok took me awhile to get time to work on this but I did.

so I did the mem test, it passed. So I looked up my motherboard, max memory is 4gb anything more will be force it to be shown as less than 4gb. Well 5 is more than 4 so I swapped all the ram to 4 1gb sticks... Problem didn't go away. I check both in #! and in windows, all are at 3.2 gb of ram, anymore ideas of what I should do?

Motherboard
http://intel.com/p/en_US/support/highli … ds/d945gnt
I went to system memory to find out I was over the limit

Breakout · 2012-10-31 06:36:28

Idk... maybe try using the 64 bit version if you already aren't

erghiez · 2012-10-31 12:33:30

limitation of chipset?
http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=123711.0

merelyjim · 2012-10-31 14:23:29

Breakout wrote:

Idk... maybe try using the 64 bit version if you already aren't

No, it's the right version;

Kernel 2.6.32-5-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Distro CrunchBang Linux statler

Sorry, this is a hardware issue. Either the RAM sticks, or the motherboard they're plugged into.
Guessing there's a partial break somewhere along the line. Conductive material is held in place by the fiberglass board while cool, and everything is fine. Turn the power on, the metal expands, pops out of the boundaries, and something goes off-line. Turn the power off, stuff retracts into the original shape, and looks fine on visual inspection.
No amount of configuration tweaking is going to fix it.

ansem_of_nexus · 2012-10-31 17:39:24

i to thought board defect as well, except I used to have another p4 same problem. It was a p4 ht 3.2GHz that I used as a file server. It doesn't seem possible that two completely different boards would have the same defect. Do you think that maybe I should try to find a update for the BIOS?

merelyjim · 2012-10-31 17:46:28

Maybe...
If you can get it into a shop where they can run a good diagnostic, that's what I'd do.
I've head some real horror stories about flashing BIOS incorrectly.

dura · 2012-10-31 17:46:57

Maybe a defect that effects all x-type boards!

I have restricted memory as well- got 4gb but can only use 3gb. Apparently it is just that- an inbuilt restriction.

I've always been scared of flashing bios. It's risky, and may not work. If you have windows on your computer still then its fine...

You do have the PAE kernel don't you?
I just live with it

ansem_of_nexus · 2012-10-31 18:22:41

I looked on the site and it tells of an easy way, via USB. Isn't there a difference between update and flashing though?

dura · 2012-10-31 18:25:25

update would be through windows, and mostly automatic.

flash is via usb, etc., and is up to you to get it right (the exact bios number, etc.,) and therein lies the risk

merelyjim · 2012-10-31 18:28:47

Dumb observation;
On a 32-bit Acer netbook, with 1GB, I have yet to use over 50% of RAM, and that was using Handbrake. Not sure how much RAM you need, but could be easier to live with the problem until the machine dies and replace it all.

@dura; PAE kernal is for multi-core 32-bit, whereas we're talking 64-bit.

ansem_of_nexus · 2012-10-31 18:29:53

So if I boot up my windows I can do it the safe way. I have it dual booting #! And windows 7

merelyjim · 2012-10-31 18:35:08

Yup. Sorry, still think it's a hardware issue. Software is going to do it's best with what's it's got to work with.
As much as I may dislike Windows, Microsoft isn't to blame. In this instance. Just this once. big_smile

ansem_of_nexus · 2012-10-31 18:42:08

I will try and update, then let you guys know how it goes

CrunchBang Linux

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#1 2012-10-13 19:58:24

#! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#2 2012-10-13 23:15:43

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#3 2012-10-30 23:36:22

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#4 2012-10-31 06:36:28

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#5 2012-10-31 12:33:30

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#6 2012-10-31 14:23:29

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#7 2012-10-31 17:39:24

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#8 2012-10-31 17:46:28

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#9 2012-10-31 17:46:57

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#10 2012-10-31 18:22:41

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#11 2012-10-31 18:25:25

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#12 2012-10-31 18:28:47

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#13 2012-10-31 18:29:53

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#14 2012-10-31 18:35:08

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

#15 2012-10-31 18:42:08

Re: #! says 3.2gb of ram, bios says 5gb

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