RAM Recognition by XP

P

Philmom

My system is a Dell Deminsion 4600 running Windows XP Pro 2002 with Service
Pack 2. The processor is a Pentium 4 CPU 2.80 GHz

2 GB of RAM are installed. When I go into the BIOS settings, 2 GB RAM are
listed... However, Windows XP is only recognizing 256MB (as listed under
System Properties in the Control Panel).

This system is running VERY slowly and freezing periodically. Is there any
way to make Windows XP recognize that 2 GB of RAM are installed and
available???

THANKS,
 
C

Colin Barnhorst

You should not have to do anything for the system to recognize 2GB of
installed ram. Something is wrong. How long have you had the computer?

The Dell Dimension 4600 sold with 256MB or 512MB of DDR ram, so if there is
2GB of ram installed it was upgraded much later. When was the present ram
installed and how?
 
P

Philmom

I have had this computer for almost 3 years. It has run slowly since the
beginning. It originally had 512 MB RAM in two 256 MB chips... but only
recognized 256 MB. (Of course, I didn't realize this until it was out of
warranty!)

I upgraded the RAM a few months ago to 2 GB. I verified the type of RAM
through a DELL search and had a friend who is the IT for a large corporate
network double check it for me, so I know it was the appropriate type and
configuration.

This friend has advised me that I might have corrupted files and might need
to try reformatting. We tried a roll back, but it did not help. I am hoping
that someone out there has a better idea before I resort to something as
drastic as a reformat... especially since my computer owner's manual does not
include instructions for a reformat. The documentation does include
installation disks for XP, etc... so I am hoping this will be possible.

You guys are my last resort before reformatting or junking this system
altogether.

Any other ideas?

Thank you for your response.
 
C

Colin Barnhorst

I think I would see a repair tech. There may be a defect in the mobo if you
have never seen more than 256mb. It is not a software issue and does not
sound like there would be anything in Windows that could address this.

Philmom said:
I have had this computer for almost 3 years. It has run slowly since the
beginning. It originally had 512 MB RAM in two 256 MB chips... but only
recognized 256 MB. (Of course, I didn't realize this until it was out of
warranty!)

I upgraded the RAM a few months ago to 2 GB. I verified the type of RAM
through a DELL search and had a friend who is the IT for a large corporate
network double check it for me, so I know it was the appropriate type and
configuration.

This friend has advised me that I might have corrupted files and might
need
to try reformatting. We tried a roll back, but it did not help. I am
hoping
that someone out there has a better idea before I resort to something as
drastic as a reformat... especially since my computer owner's manual does
not
include instructions for a reformat. The documentation does include
installation disks for XP, etc... so I am hoping this will be possible.

You guys are my last resort before reformatting or junking this system
altogether.

Any other ideas?

Thank you for your response.
 
P

Philmom

If there was a defect in the mother board, would the BIOS still show 2 GB RAM
installed, as is the case?
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

Each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700,DDR PC3200 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.
Are you sure you have either PC2700 or PC3200 RAM modules?

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

:

My system is a Dell Deminsion 4600 running Windows XP Pro 2002 with Service
Pack 2. The processor is a Pentium 4 CPU 2.80 GHz

2 GB of RAM are installed. When I go into the BIOS settings, 2 GB RAM are
listed... However, Windows XP is only recognizing 256MB (as listed under
System Properties in the Control Panel).

This system is running VERY slowly and freezing periodically. Is there any
way to make Windows XP recognize that 2 GB of RAM are installed and
available???

THANKS,
 
C

Colin Barnhorst

There can be all kinds of issues in hardware. It can be in the mobo chipset
or in the traces or something else entirely. Your mobo might have jumpers
that are not correctly set. Who knows? That's why I suggest you have a
tech look at it.

Philmom said:
If there was a defect in the mother board, would the BIOS still show 2 GB
RAM
installed, as is the case?
 
I

Ian D

Philmom said:
My system is a Dell Deminsion 4600 running Windows XP Pro 2002 with
Service
Pack 2. The processor is a Pentium 4 CPU 2.80 GHz

2 GB of RAM are installed. When I go into the BIOS settings, 2 GB RAM are
listed... However, Windows XP is only recognizing 256MB (as listed under
System Properties in the Control Panel).

This system is running VERY slowly and freezing periodically. Is there
any
way to make Windows XP recognize that 2 GB of RAM are installed and
available???

THANKS,

Download and run CPU-Z from www.cpuid.com. It will give you the facts
about your RAM. A very useful utility.
 
P

Philmom

Thanks, Colin. You have been very helpful!

I live in the boonies- nearest tech would be 3 and a half hours away. I
will give that a try, though, before I give up and trash the system. Thanks
again.
 
P

Philmom

Ian- Thank you for your response.

I did as you suggested, and here is the info about the RAM. As you can see,
2 GB shows up in this diagnostic... but as I originally posted, Windows XP
only recognizes and uses 256MB. If you have followed the thread with Colin
Bornhorst, he believes this to be a mobo problem. Would it be helpful if I
copied the info that CPU-Z picked up about the mobo? I am a technological
amateur, so I really appreciate you guys!

DIMM #1

General
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) (0000000000000000)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2700 (166 MHz)
Part number LIFETIMEMEMORY.COM
Serial number FFFFFFFF
Manufacturing date Week 255/Year 255

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
Nominal Voltage 2.50 Volts
EPP no
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 133 166
CAS# 2.0 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay 3 3
RAS# Precharge 3 3
TRAS 6 7


DIMM #2

General
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) (0000000000000000)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2700 (166 MHz)
Part number LIFETIMEMEMORY.COM
Serial number FFFFFFFF
Manufacturing date Week 255/Year 255

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
Nominal Voltage 2.50 Volts
EPP no
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 133 166
CAS# 2.0 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay 3 3
RAS# Precharge 3 3
TRAS 6 7
 
I

Ian D

Philmom said:
Ian- Thank you for your response.

I did as you suggested, and here is the info about the RAM. As you can
see,
2 GB shows up in this diagnostic... but as I originally posted, Windows XP
only recognizes and uses 256MB. If you have followed the thread with
Colin
Bornhorst, he believes this to be a mobo problem. Would it be helpful if
I
copied the info that CPU-Z picked up about the mobo? I am a technological
amateur, so I really appreciate you guys!

DIMM #1

General
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) (0000000000000000)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2700 (166 MHz)
Part number LIFETIMEMEMORY.COM
Serial number FFFFFFFF
Manufacturing date Week 255/Year 255

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
Nominal Voltage 2.50 Volts
EPP no
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 133 166
CAS# 2.0 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay 3 3
RAS# Precharge 3 3
TRAS 6 7


DIMM #2

General
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) (0000000000000000)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2700 (166 MHz)
Part number LIFETIMEMEMORY.COM
Serial number FFFFFFFF
Manufacturing date Week 255/Year 255

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
Nominal Voltage 2.50 Volts
EPP no
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 133 166
CAS# 2.0 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay 3 3
RAS# Precharge 3 3
TRAS 6 7
Obviously CPU-Z is identifying the RAM, so the RAM and motherboard
appear to be functioning properly. The problem appears to be with XP.

Something else to try - Start>Run enter taskmgr.exe, and in the Performance
tab see what the total physical memory is. Also Start>Run enter msinfo32.exe
and see what 'Total physical memory' shows in the right pane.
 
P

Philmom

taskmgr.exe showed 261100 K

msinfo32.exe showed 2,048.00 MB

Thanks again, Ian. I really appreciate your help!
 
D

Daave

Philmom said:
Ian- Thank you for your response.

I did as you suggested, and here is the info about the RAM. As you
can see,
2 GB shows up in this diagnostic... but as I originally posted,
Windows XP
only recognizes and uses 256MB. If you have followed the thread with
Colin
Bornhorst, he believes this to be a mobo problem. Would it be helpful
if I
copied the info that CPU-Z picked up about the mobo? I am a
technological
amateur, so I really appreciate you guys!

DIMM #1

General
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) (0000000000000000)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2700 (166 MHz)
Part number LIFETIMEMEMORY.COM
Serial number FFFFFFFF
Manufacturing date Week 255/Year 255

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
Nominal Voltage 2.50 Volts
EPP no
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 133 166
CAS# 2.0 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay 3 3
RAS# Precharge 3 3
TRAS 6 7


DIMM #2

General
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) (0000000000000000)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2700 (166 MHz)
Part number LIFETIMEMEMORY.COM
Serial number FFFFFFFF
Manufacturing date Week 255/Year 255

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
Nominal Voltage 2.50 Volts
EPP no
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 133 166
CAS# 2.0 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay 3 3
RAS# Precharge 3 3
TRAS 6 7

That's weird!

Have you tried the Dell Diagnostics memory test?

What BIOS version? Is there a setting in the BIOS that limits the amount
of RAM your PC may use?

Do you have onboard graphics or a discrete graphics card? I wonder if
there may be a conflict there...

Just for yucks, place the modules in slots 3 and 4 to see what happens.
 
P

Philmom

Thanks Daave!

I'm a bit of an amateur, but not intimidated by this stuff, so please bear
with me if I ask stupid questions...

Where would I find the Dell Diagnostics Memory Test?

How would I find out what BIOS version I have or whether or not there is a
setting that limits the amount of RAM my PC may use? Is this one of those
areas that punching F-something during the boot sequence will throw me into?

This sounds like you may be onto something!

My graphics card is a NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200, if that is helpful.

Placing the modules in slots 3 and 4 has already been tried.
 
K

K2NNJ

Go into BIOS and look under POST Configuration and then look at OS Install.

Make sure it is set to OFF.
 
M

monkey_cartman

Philmom said:
I have had this computer for almost 3 years. It has run slowly since the
beginning. It originally had 512 MB RAM in two 256 MB chips... but only
recognized 256 MB. (Of course, I didn't realize this until it was out of
warranty!)

I upgraded the RAM a few months ago to 2 GB. I verified the type of RAM
through a DELL search and had a friend who is the IT for a large corporate
network double check it for me, so I know it was the appropriate type and
configuration.

This friend has advised me that I might have corrupted files and might need
to try reformatting. We tried a roll back, but it did not help. I am hoping
that someone out there has a better idea before I resort to something as
drastic as a reformat... especially since my computer owner's manual does not
include instructions for a reformat. The documentation does include
installation disks for XP, etc... so I am hoping this will be possible.

You guys are my last resort before reformatting or junking this system
altogether.

Any other ideas?

Thank you for your response.
I don't know if it's drastic. A simple half hour, hour tops, to
install and reinstall everything?

Maybe tougher to do than said

Somehow the original install may not have worked right. I had one that
pooped out in a month from buying the computer. Like you said the
performance sucked.

but

I would think that if the motherboard recognizes the RAM then it
should be ok.

Reformat and reinstall windows, copy important stuff to cd(s) first.

Reformat the hard drive or partition, make an NTFS filesystem(s), set
your timezone, note how you connect to the internet,
 
R

Robert Moir

Philmom said:
Thanks, Colin. You have been very helpful!

I live in the boonies- nearest tech would be 3 and a half hours away.
I will give that a try, though, before I give up and trash the
system. Thanks again.

You might check the BIOS. I know Dell servers have a "setup mode" setting
that hides all but about 256mb of the installed ram from the operating
system, which sounds a lot like your problem doesn't it? Check the bios to
see if dell desktops also carry a similar setting.
 
G

Gerry

There is a discrepancy between the RAM installed and the RAM required
according to the Dell Manual:

Requirement:
PC2700 (333-MHz) or PC3200 (400-MHz) DDR SDRAM (non-ECC)

Installed
PC2700 (166 MHz) DDR

I am not clear what affect this might have.

http://support.dell.com:80/support/edocs/systems/dim4600/en/4600/sm/memory.htm

DDR
Double data rate is a type of SDRAM in which data is sent on both the
rising and falling edges of clock cycles in a data burst. It is usually
referred to as DDR as opposed to DDR SDRAM.

SDRAM
Synchronous dynamic random access memory delivers bursts of data at high
speeds using a synchronous interface. Its is actually SDR SDRAM (single
data rate SDRAM) but is usually used to referred to as just "SDRAM."

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
P

Philmom

K2NNJ- You are a GENIUS!!!!!

You not only hit on the solution, but you were able to talk an amateur
through the process of fixing it!! The OS install was, in fact, set to ON.
After almost 3 years my computer is finally performing as expected!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!
 

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