asked on

4GB RAM installed and recognized, but only 2GB used by OS.

I installed four gigabytes (4 x 1GB DIMMs) of RAM in my new system. BIOS and System Properties recognize all 4GB. The Performance tab in the Task Manager indicates that only 2GB of physical memory is available (see the attached screen shot). Performance is affected. Any thoughts on how/why this is occurring?

Specifications:
OS - Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition 64 bit *Note: this is used as a workstation and test server, not as a production server.
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-EG41MF-S2H Rev. 1.0
Memory Model - NVIDIA PC2 8500 SLI Ready
Memory DIMMs - 4 DIMMs, 1GB each = 4GB

Troubleshooting Steps Taken:
-I swapped out the memory with replacement and it still only recognizes half of it.
-I tried rearranging the DIMMs in the slots. The problem persists.

What additional information should I obtain to identify the cause and/or find a solution?
20090520-01.jpg

IanTh

see
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778.aspx#memory_limits
maybe that will help

MYCU

Look here and see if this helps:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23124708/New-RAM-upgrade-not-recognized-by-OS-Shows-up-in-BIOS.html

See if the last post the author makes is possibly causing your issue.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Callandor

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knoxzoo

Have you checked the motherboard manufacturers website for updated drivers and BIOS files?

kyledmorgan

ASKER

I tried swapping out my four 1GB DIMMs (1x4GB = 4GB) with two 2GB DIMMs (2x2GB = 4GB). The OS is able to handle all of the memory now. I suspect that the issue is somehow originating from the motherboard and is not due to memory limitations. Perhaps slots #2 and/or #4 are bad.

Callandor

That is a possibility. I'm glad it's resolved.