ram probs

[neilthewolf01]

RAM problem Hi, hope I'm in the right section.

I recently had to format my drive and re-install windows xp home due to a 'virut' in my system.

Everything has gone great and everything is working as it should now....except for the RAM I'd installed a couple of years ago.

 

My system is not recognizing the new RAM or should i say its not using it.

 

In BIOS settings it shows that i have 1,500,00MB of memory.

In My computer/system properties it only shows that i have 250MB of memory.

In System tools/ system information it tells me that i have 1,500,00MB Total physical memory. But only 30.00MB available physical memory.

I have tune up utilities installed and it also doesn't recognize the RAM installed.

I have also been back onto crucial.com and it recognizes the RAM

 

Before my problems with the virus the extra RAM i installed was working fine so i know its compatible.

Is there anything that I've forgot to do in the format or re-install that would effect this.

 

I have a intel pentium 4 cpu 2.80GHz on windows xp home.

 

Oh and i have virtually nothing installed that could be effecting the memory.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks

 

Neil

[zinglebarb]

Is the operating system all patched up and upto date?

[neilthewolf01]

Yes. Everything is working fine ..except the RAM

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Can you right click on My Computer and choose Properties and tell what it says at the bottom with regard to memory and CPU please.

[neilthewolf01]

Intel®

Pentium® 4 CPU 2.80GHz

2.79GHz, 256 MB of RAM

[Jelly Bean]

Could you please run this scanner then check results against the RAM you are using and post results please:

 

RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, flash cards, SSD at Crucial.com

 

Could you post make and model of your mainboard and make and model of all RAM sticks please.

[neilthewolf01]

512MB

DDR PC3200

512MB

DDR PC2700

256MB

DDR PC3200

256MB

DDR PC2700

 

 

Currently Installed Memory: 1.5GB

Available Memory Slots: 0

Number of Banks: 4

Dual Channel Support: Yes

CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel

CPU Family: Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU 2.80GHz Model 2, Stepping 9

CPU Speed: 2793 MHz

[Jelly Bean]

What is make and model of your mainboard,this maybe a mixed RAM issue as in size and speed or a dual channel mode issue?

 

EDIT: Are you questioning the "Physical Memory" or the actual RAM showing in computer properties?

 

 

 

Read this:

 

Computer data storage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Edited June 1, 2009 by Jelly Bean

[neilthewolf01]

Sorry,

mainboard is Dell computer corp. 02Y832

 

The main issue is pc is struggling when more than 1 application open. It seems obvious to me that the installed RAM isn't working.

Before my format the RAM was showing up in my computer/properties now it isn't.

When i originally installed the RAM i could see a notable improvement in my computers performance.

 

I hope this explains.

 

Thanks

 

Neil

[Jelly Bean]

Have you updated drivers and installed the latest chipset?

[neilthewolf01]

I have updated the drivers but i don't think I've put in anything about a 'chipset'. would this make a difference and if so how do i do it?

 

Thanks

 

neil

[zinglebarb]

if you pull the 2x 512 does it report properly

[neilthewolf01]

what does that mean?

[Jelly Bean]

Remove RAM and place in the first two slots two matching sticks is it showing up?

[neilthewolf01]

Have tried what you said and it shows up in bios settings but doesn't in computer/properties or in tune-up utilities. I have tried different combination's to but the same thing happens. Ive also updates chipset and drivers.

 

Thanks

 

Neil

[neilthewolf01]

Any other suggestions ???????

[neilthewolf01]

sorted.

OS install mode was on in bios setup.

Turned it off and suddenly pc recognizing ram installed.

 

Anyone want to explain why.

 

Thanks

 

Neil

[Jelly Bean]

Oh excellent.Just wrong setting in BIOS.

[Tootech]

OS install mode was on in bios setup

 

Didn't have a clue what this meant so I looked it up, and this is a quote from a Dell service manual.

 

Turns the OS Install Mode on and off. The default is Off. When set to On, memory is limited to 256 MB to allow the installation of older operating systems that have 2 GB memory limits.