512Mb to 2Gb upgrade trouble

[Stlundr40]

I didn't expect to have trouble with this but I've installed 2 new 1Gb memory sticks but only 512Mb registers.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/spec ... AM-40%2F1G (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?RAM-40%2F1G)

This is my Novatech PC's spec.

Foxconn SiS 6497MB Motherboard
BIOS - Phoenix AwardBIOS v6.00PG
System Memory - 512 MB (PC3200 SDRAM)
Video Adapter - NVIDIA GeForce 6500

Memory:
DIMM1: 1 GB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
DIMM2: 1 GB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
Module Size 1024 MB (1 rank, 4 banks)
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC3200 (200 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit

But if I run a system check it still only shows 512Mb, which was the size of the original stick that was installed, it's spec is 512Mb PC3200 DDR SDRAM 400Mhz. Which is identical to the 2 1Gb units I bought, apart from the capacity and the fact the 512Mb is single sided but the 1Gb units are double sided.

Any ideas why It won't register as 2Gb ??

[Coops]

So with both Sticks in it only still sees 512mb total ram.

This is total RAM shown on BIOS POST screen correct??

What about if you use one dimm only??

There should be no problem as long as the 1gb dimms are double sided.

[Ben]

Hi,

Looking at the Foxconn website, this motherboard only supports single sided memory. This could be causing your problem.


System Memory
Two 184-pin DIMM slots
Supports up to 2 GB DDR memory
Supports Single-Channel DDR 400/333/266
Registered memory not supported
Supports 128 Mb, 256 Mb, 512 Mb technologies

Foxconn (http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/detail_overview.aspx?ID=en-us0000117)

[Coops]

Errr no.

Thats single channel not single side =)

This motherboard can only use Double Sided 1gb Dimms. It will not support single side 1gb Dimms as the board cannot address 1gb per side. only up to 512mb per side hence why you need double sided 1gb dimms in both slots to get 2gb total RAM support.

[Ben]

:oops:

[Stlundr40]

The post screen only shows 523264b on memory test. It's the same with both or only 1 stick in place. With no sticks in or only 1 in DIMM2 the PC fails to boot.

Just to check I tried my old 512Mb stick in again and it's the same, although every time I can see the sticks inplace using CPUz and Everest, they show the 512Mb, the single 1024Mb stick and both sticks at 2048Mb but the motherboard doesn't seem to register the change or allow programs to access them.

[Coops]

So Windows is showing the RAM correct???

With the RAM Sticks in

If you open a CMD window

then type mem

Can you post what the results are please

[Stlundr40]

Here are the results of MEM :-

655360 bytes total conventional memory
655360 bytes available to MS-DOS
592688 largest executable program size

1048576 bytes total contiguous extended memory
0 bytes available contiguous extended memory
941056 bytes available XMS memory
MS-DOS resident in High Memory Area

[Stlundr40]

I hate to be impatient but should I just return the sticks and try something else, or do I need to get tech support involved?

[Coops]

Best speak to tech about this. Its rather strange.

As long as these are double sided 1GB Dimms you should have no problem here.

[Some1]

Can I ask if you were able to resolve this issue and what it was you did to resolve it.... because I am finding myself in a very similar situation.


Update: - I am trying to upgrade my RAM from 256MB to 2GB (2X1GB) , I removed the 256MB DIMM and inserted both of the 1GB's. When it only registered as 512 I was confused.... I then tried removing one of the 1GB's to see if I could get it to run as sole 1GB.... with the same result of only 512MB.... I then took out the 1GB... reinserted my 256MB and one of the 1GB's and when I checked I had a reading of 768MB.. which makes me think I have received a mislabelled 512MB instead of a 1GB .....

[Coops]

What motherboard do you have??

Make and Model Please

[Some1]

MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD MS-6382

[Coops]

Are your 1GB sticks single sided or double sided.

ie. Do they have little black chips only on one side of the RAM Stick or are they on both side of the Ram Stick

As far as i can tell that board supports a maximum of 2gb using 2 x 1gb Double sided sticks of memory and with the latest BIOS as well of course.

[Some1]

Are your 1GB sticks single sided or double sided.

ie. Do they have little black chips only on one side of the RAM Stick or are they on both side of the Ram Stick

As far as i can tell that board supports a maximum of 2gb using 2 x 1gb Double sided sticks of memory and with the latest BIOS as well of course.

They're double sided

As far as I can tell you're right about the max of 2GB (2 X 1GB) which I'm not trying to exceed....

How and where could I get the latest BIOS? Is it a simple download upgrade??

[system7]

It's an old motherboard, so you might try clearing the CMOS by taking the battery out for 2 minutes with the power unplugged.

It often forces the bios to run setup afresh, and spot the new memory.

It does look like low density is what you want here. The two slots are looking for 4 banks of 512MB. I'm not sure that physically double sided always means low density. But the value ranges from Corsair and Kingston usually fit the bill with 2 slot boards.

CPU-Z might give you some clues too:
http://www.cpuid.com/index.php

You'll have to check out bios updates yourself. I don't know if it will help. The newest is version 1.2, it seems. :?