GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

[Orpheon]

Using GA-P55-UD3L with 4x2GB DIMMs.
Triple-boot system Ubuntu, Ubuntu Studio and Windows 7.

Half the memory is shown as "Disabled" in the BIOS screen and as "Hardware Reserved" in all the OSes.
The DIMMs work, switching them around has no influence on the results.
This is already like this since some time, but a friend has the same PC and does not have this issue (he has not overridden the factory OS as I have though, if that is somehow relevant).

Currently using Award BIOS FH, I have tried (unsuccessfully) FC and FI as well.


Any help?

[profJim]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

Welcome to the forum.

I moved your post to its own thread for better visibility and modified your image's url so that the screen-shot is visible in your post.

Are all 4 memory modules from memory kits with the exact same memory model numbers?
At stock settings and speeds, is 4GB of memory still showing as disabled?

We need detailed information about ALL OF THE HARDWARE in your system.

We can best help you after you create a detailed hardware list in the System Specs
portion of your forum profile at the bottom of the profile page or in your forum signature.
Be sure to include brand names and model numbers.
When you are done editing or creating your hardware list, save the settings.

[Orpheon]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

Welcome to the forum.

I moved your post to its own thread for better visibility and modified your image's url so that the screen-shot is visible in your post.

Are all 4 memory modules from memory kits with the exact same memory model numbers?
At stock settings and speeds, is 4GB of memory still showing as disabled?

We need detailed information about ALL OF THE HARDWARE in your system.

We can best help you after you create a detailed hardware list in the System Specs
portion of your forum profile at the bottom of the profile page or in your forum signature.
Be sure to include brand names and model numbers.
When you are done editing or creating your hardware list, save the settings.

Ok thank you, I filled in everything I knew.

Yes, all 4 DIMMs are exactly identical and as far as I could test interchangeable without any change to behavior.
Yes, I tried several different defaults, including resetting the entire CMOS with the battery. Never got over 4 GB.

A further interesting bit of information:

Not sure whether this is a symptom or a lead to a cause, I don't understand anything here anymore.

Would really appreciate someone taking a look at this.

[wazza300]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

you have a 64bit version of windows?

[Orpheon]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

you have a 64bit version of windows?

64-bit version of Windows 7 and a 64-bit version of Ubuntu 12.04, as stated in the System Specs.
Besides, this is wrong even inside the BIOS and the Memtest, the problem is probably deeper than the OS.

PS: The "Max Memory" checkbox in msconfig is off too.

[- wardog -]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

This looks more like you might probably re-seat the CPU in the socket. And while out look closely at the "pins' in the socket that there aren't any that are astray.

Did you just assemble this?

[Orpheon]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

This looks more like you might probably re-seat the CPU in the socket. And while out look closely at the "pins' in the socket that there aren't any that are astray.

Did you just assemble this?

No, I bought it from STEG (a local computer shop). A friend bought the same PC, he does not have this problem.

Will attempt re-seating the CPU once I'm sure I know how to do it without breaking anything.
EDIT: Didn't manage to loose the screw holding the case down. Are you really sure this would solve something?

[- wardog -]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

I'd take it back to STEG then. First, before doing anything else.

[profJim]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

^^+1^^
I agree, take it back to the shop first.
You don't want to give them an excuse for you to be blamed for damage caused by the user.
Check with them first, they should not charge you for diagnosing and fixing anything that is wrong with your system.

When you bought your computer, was it fully assembled by STEG?

[Orpheon]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

Problem is, alone by opening the computer (which happened before for a completely unrelated thing) I voided my guarantee, which should be nearing it's end anyhow.
I could go there and ask whether they could look into it, but officially they are under no obligation to help me at all, since the cover of the computer has been opened (and the relevant sticker gone).

Will try that though, thank you for the tip.

[profJim]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

See step #4 in Memory - Set Maximum Amount Used by Windows - Windows 7 Help Forums
FWIW, on my system, msconfig -> Advanced Options -> Maximum Memory is unchecked and the grayed out area has 0 (zero).
This means that win7 will use all available memory.

Before the 4GB of memory disappeared, did you make any recent changes to your system? If yes, what was changed?

[Orpheon]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

See step #4 in Memory - Set Maximum Amount Used by Windows - Windows 7 Help Forums
FWIW, on my system, msconfig -> Advanced Options -> Maximum Memory is unchecked and the grayed out area has 0 (zero).
This means that win7 will use all available memory.

Looked at that, wasn't checked, and wouldn't explain why BIOS and Ubuntu both have the same problem.

Before the 4GB of memory disappeared, did you make any recent changes to your system? If yes, what was changed?

I'm not sure when they disappeared, what I did once do was completely overwrite the factory windows installation and install grub. Apart from that, I did open the PC a few times, but this was well after the memory problem appeared. Never touched the RAM on those occasions either.

[profJim]

Re: GA-P55-UD3L + 4x2GB, 4GB is Disabled

From your picture in post #1, it looks like memory slots #3 and #4 are not working.
Did you try using only 2 memory modules in slots #1 and #3? If this doesn't work try slots #2 and #4.
With only two memory modules in slots #1 and #3, the MIT Status screen DIMM Slot section should look similar to this:



From your first post:

Currently using Award BIOS FH, I have tried (unsuccessfully) FC and FI as well.

If your bios works the same way as earlier P35 and P45 Gigabyte systems, when you flash your bios, all of the saved bios profiles are wiped from the bios. If I built a system for someone else, I would save the bios settings that I applied (and stress tested) to one of the saved bios profile slots. Your bios can probably save up to 8 different bios profiles.
I'll make a S.W.A.G. and assume that you did NOT follow the bios flashing suggestions in the http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte...ash-guide.html thread.

Several questions:

1. Did your system ever work with 4x2GB of memory? If yes, was your system stable, i.e. no freezing or BSOD's?
2. Did your system originally come with 2x2GB of memory?
3. Did your system originally come with the Patriot PC3-10600 @ 1333MHz memory listed in your PC Specs?
4. What is the full model number of your current memory modules?
5. Do all 4 modules have the exact same model number? If the answer is no, list the model numbers on each of the four memory modules.
6. Is your friend's system identical to yours? Cpu? Memory modules? Motherboard?

I ran Memtest86+, v:4.2 and v:5.01 on both of my 8GB P35 systems and when I displayed DMI data, both systems' displays are identical to your picture in post #3.

***edit***
Did you switch off your power supply AND unplug the power supply's external A.C. power cable from the wall outlet (or the back of the psu power supply) each time before you switched around your memory?
If you didn't, you might have damaged your memory or a memory slot.

I switch off the psu AND unplug the cable to be absolutely sure that I don't forget to remove all residual power in the system before I make ANY changes in my system, even if I'm only making a minor wire or cable change.