Hi,

Have a VISTA 64 bit Gateway PC and increased Ram from 3 to 9 GB. I noticed that Windows System Information screen indicates there was 9 GB of Installed memory but only 2.99 GB of Total Physical Memory and Available Physical Memory of 1.47 GB. The Task Manager indicates total physical memory of 3062, Cached of 1729 and Free of 52. Can anyone tell me if my system is using the 9 GB if needed? I've Googled this and am a a bit confused as to what I am reading. BTW, I have Service Pack 2 installed.

Thanks

I'm a bit confused as to how you get to 9Gb RAM starting with 3 but I think you probably started with 3x1gb and added 3x2gb on a 6 slot mobo? Anyway best advice is check your mobo manual. My random guessing leads me to think you probably have triple channel memory, mine is dual channel so it likes to be installed in pairs, when I built my system I had two 2gb dimms, which with my mobo worked best in slots 1 and 3, when I added two more they went in slots 2 and 4. Triple channel works similarly in threes I believe. Find out what your mobo prefers from the manual and try that.
If that doesn't work then try them one at a time in slot 1 to isolate a bad stick.
If that doesn't solve it then it's BIOS/EFI time to try and match RAM speeds and timings etc.
Post your hardware specs as well please to save the guesswork!

Yes, how many memory slots does your mobo have. Six or four? Also what are the size of the various sticks of memory?

Are you SURE it's 64-bit Windows you're running? You have both Program Files and Program Files(x86) directories?
It sounds silly, but I've run into instances before of people thinking they had 32 bit but had 64 and vice versa.



The Jedi Master

Go into BIOS and make sure the Memory Remap Feature (or equivalent as it might be called something different) is enabled. Depending on the BIOS type it can be hard to find but it should be somewhere in advanced memory/chipset controls IIRC

Thanks for the quick replies. I do have VISTA 64 bit. At least that's what the specs were and what the Computer Details section of the Control Panel-Welcome Center says. I have a Program Files and a Program Files (x86) folder on the C Drive. What exactly do you mean by "Post your hardware specs as well..."?

"Go into BIOS and make sure the Memory Remap Feature..." I don't want to change the BIOS at this stage because, as you can see, I am not very tech savy. Lets see if another approach will work first. (But if I change that, will that allow me so use all 9 gigs without changing anything else?)

Looking at the receipt for the memory stocks looks like I got 6 GB of Crucial DDR3-1333. They came in 2GB sticks. And the computer did have triple channel memory, at least that's what I read in descriptions on the Web. It came with 3 GB already installed and I think it was divided into 3 single sticks of 1 GB instlled. I then installed three more sticks. So there are six memory slots.

Don't know what mother board I have or the types of memory set up it takes. Do you know how I can get that information?

I'm willing to take out memory sticks to see if that will help. Any suggestions as to how I should do it? Do I try taking out one of the original sticks or all three? Does it matter what slot a memory stick is located?

Thanks

Try running the 2Gb sticks in the white slots. Take all the rest out. From what I understand about triple channel. Then populate the remainder of the slots with the older 1Gb sticks. So you should have a 2GB in the first slot, 1 in the second, 2Gb in the third, 1 in the fourth and so on.

There's a little program called CPUID that will show you just about all of the essential info on your mobo like processor type, clock rates, RAM types, etc. etc. It will also show you the model number and brand of your hardware. Then you can post more specific PC specs (specifications). If you don't want to write it all down you can take a screenshot and post it

And yes, if in fact the MRF is disabled then all of the tricks won't help. Once it's enabled that should be it, and you'll have full access to all of your memory. Here's some more info on how/why it works if you're interested: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

I went in and took out the old RAM and moved the new RAM into the white slots. As of now, I have 6 GB installed. I have not reinsalled the old memory yet. There is no change in the Physical Memory in the Task Manager. However, the Cached and Free memory keep changing. (At the moment I am typing this they are 2150 and 33.) Ths System Information indicates I have 6 GB of installed memory, physical memory of 2.99 and available physical memory of 1.70. From what I can see not much has changed. Should it change? I never understood what people were talking about when I googled the problem.

I'll check the CPUID specs and post a screenshot and look into the MRF topic.

Well I am NOT 100% sure but my Dad had a similar problem with his PC and I decided to check BIOS and sure enough there was a setting in there that needed to be changed for more memory..

If you do NOT like the idea of entering BIOS I would suggest getting a TECH savy Friend to help or take it to a pro and tell them what is going on I am sure they would be glad to Take your money for a few seconds work..

I am SORRY to say but this is PRobally ONLY going to be Fixed by going into BIOS.. I dont think it is Windows related and as for bad ram probally not..

Here is another attempt at a screenshot of the motherboard specs. IF I don't get this resolved, I might take it to Best Buy where I bought it. I have read about other people increasing their memory with this computer and no one had any problem.

I read that that mobo has a locked BIOS.

http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-Gateway-TBGM01-Motherboard-Bios-Unlock

Maybe the easiest thing to do would be to get a new mobo. You can pick up a pretty good mobo for about 170.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130294

Then you could OC the bejesus out of it. Best Buy is not going to unlock that mobo for you. They might say they are, but it will be a little BIOS flashing involved with a hacked BIOS to make it work which is risky and not for the squeamish.

There is something unusual about this computer set up. But I don't know what it is because I am not an expert. The power supply went bad a while back and when I took it into Best Buy to replace it the tech there told me I should upgrade the RAM bacause RAM prices were so cheap. But he also inicated because of the set up I would not get the full use of the RAM. But that was OK because I would still get a boost. I never asked him to explain but I seem to recall the same point being raised on the Internet when I researched increasing RAM for this computer. Don't know why I should do any tinkering with the BIOS as the specs of the computer state that you can add RAM.

Maybe I'll go back to Best Buy with my question. Fortunately, I'm happy with speed of the computer 99% if the time.

Thanks for the replies

Run DXDIAG (Start, Run, DXDIAG).

save all info to a text file, Copy, Paste in a Reply.

If its not a BIOS issue, its a Windows Issue.

Mainly the "System Info" part

example:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/9/2011, 21:42:38
Machine name: CHEVRON9
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.110408-1633)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MSI
System Model: MS-7250
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 1280MB used, 2814MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode

Here are two screen prints. There was box which indicated a 64 bit test and I clicked that as well.

definately looks like a memory Re-Map setting from the BIOS.

the options are "32Bit OS Disable" & "64Bit Os Enable", But as Previously noted, That BIOS is Locked by Gateway.

Still puzzled. The specs indicate the RAM can be increased Here is a quote from the Gateway web page on this PC:
"Up to 12 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz SDRAM (triple-channel support on six DIMMs)" So RAM can be increased. However, I noticed the receipt for the RAM indicates DDR3-1333 not DDR3 1066. Is that a problem? As far as the BIOS being locked, I was under the impression that just prevented you from overclocking the computer, not adding more RAM.

On another note, this has been the computer from H*LL. First the video card driver could not be upgraded. The whole graphics system shut down when I tried. I was told by ATI that you could not update the video card driver because of the way Gateway had set up the computer. Gateway, who had tech support which was less than efficient, eventually said all I could do was a System Recovery which erased all I had as it reinstalled the old video card drivers.

Then the hard drive crashed. I took it into Best Buy and told them about the video card issue and they told me they would put it the most up to date drivers. The one program I wanted to use but could not did work with the new hard drive so I assume updated drivers were put in. However, the VISTA Welcome Center screen has "DELL" in the upper right had corner. Did they put a Dell something into the computer to get the video card to work right?

Then the power supply went bad. That's when I was told to increase the RAM and we know how that went.

Then the USB ports in the front of the computer went out. (Any suggestions as to get them to work would be appreciated but I'm not optimistic.)

And last, but not least, the mouse went bad.

Although the Task Manager does not seem to show anything close to the added RAM, so far the computer boots up much quicker than before so it's possible the computer is using the added RAM.

You could check if the USB cable is still seated firmly on the motherboard socket. You've been rummaging around inside the case, so you might have dislodged it, or unplugged it and forgotten about it.

Is the mouse USB too, or PS2? Any other USB devices connected?

I imagine the BIOS is under-clocking the memory for stability. Under-clocking eliminates a lot of those pesky calls to service from people like you. I probably did smooth it out a bit because from what I've read about X58 boards, the channels for the memory are 0,2,4 and 1,3,5. Some boards are capable of running different memory speeds in triple channel mode. Two triple channel modes on one board, as long as the memory in each channel is exactly the same.

What happens with memory is when you have a lesser spec stick in with other better spec sticks on the same channel, they will all run at the lesser spec. And can all fall out of triple channel mode to single channel or dual channel. Very confusing this triple channel.

I kept working on the answers and have found out more. As far as the front USB ports not working, looks like the tech at Best Buy may had disconnected things when the power supply was put in. One USB port stopped working about one year ago. Don't know why. The second one stopped working after I got the computer back from Best Buy with the new power supply. I had actually looked at the cables back then because I thought he may have jarred the cable loose but I never looked into a machine before and did not know where I should look for a disconnected cable. All this work with putting and taking out memory has made me more familiar with the computer so I opened it up again and traced the proper cable to the disconnected spot on the motherboard and reconnected it.

As far as the RAM thing, Tom's Hardware boad has some long threads about this unit with some conflicting info. From what I can read there is some issue about the speed of the RAM and how much the computer can read. There was some back and forth between different people about the type memory this computer can take. One thread had a link to the Cricual web site which had a program to read my BIOS and tell me what kind of memory I should buy. I used that program and got a list of memory choices. The speed of my new memory I had purchased is not one of the choices...

"Each memory slot can hold DDR3 PC3-8500, DDR3 PC3-12800, DDR3 PC3-10600 with a maximum of 8GB Kit (4GBx2) per slot.*
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory."

So it looks like I may have to buy a different speed of memory. But I'm not sure if the computer is just not using all the 1333 mkz but still in tripple channel mode or is not using all the 1333mkz and is not in tripple channel mode. I certainly boots up faster than it did before. I ran a benchmark test with ARMA II and it came back 18 FPS. Given that I have a i7 Intel chip, an ATI 4850 video card and 9 MB of RAM, I don't know if 18fps is fast or slow.

CPU-Z says the following:

Good to hear the USB was just disconnected.

It almost looks like Windows has split your memory and is using 6GB for the page file? Nah, it doesn't do that on its own, it takes a drive for that.

I checked System Properties and the "Total paging file size" is 3362 MB. The recommended is 4593 MB. Best Buy told me they would tell me what's wrong for $70.00. Don't want to spend that because this is not a $70.00 problem.

Yeah, but it's not like the answer will be a magic fix. You've got even odds they'll tell you "you need to reload Windows" or some such simple crap answer and then say "$70 please!"



The Jedi Master

What happens if you just have the 2GB strips in the slots, where the 1GB ones are now? Do you get 6GB, or just 3GB?

Also, does the motherboard have the latest firmware? Any mentions in the firmware updates of a fix for memory slot issues?

if your getting a 3GB limit no matter the configuration, But your system correctly see's all 9GB,

then something is mis configured along the lines of the BIOS 32/64BIT OS Support, or windows Vista Itself.

"What happens if you just have the 2GB strips in the slots, where the 1GB ones are now?"
I can't do any more fiddling with the memory as I fell on the ice over the weekend and dislocated and slightly fractured my small finger on my right hand and the finger has a splint on it now. No way can I reach into that small area. But the Task Manager indicated about 3MB of memory with both 6 and 9MB installed.


"Also, does the motherboard have the latest firmware? Any mentions in the firmware updates of a fix for memory slot issues?"
Can you tell me where I can go to get the information? I'm not sure that is the problem as I have not heard of a problem like mine. Perhaps it's a VISTA issue which will be cleared up with a patch but I don't know what patch to use.


I'm curious as to what's going on so if going into the BIOS will help, can anyone tell me how I do that and what I am looking for? I won't change anything; just look for any indication what the problem is.

Ouch! Yeah, running only the 2GB sticks is something to try, to see if it triggers a change.

I'll need to look for the firmware when I get home, because the Gateway site looks wrong at work: http://support.gateway.com/product/

The firmware is one of the bits of text that flash across the screen during POST, but also in the picture you posted, as quoted below.

BIOS: During P.O.S.T.* you get the chance to hit the "DEL"/"Delete" key. That should get you into BIOS. Some manufacturers have sometimes set F2 as the key to get into BIOS (HP/Compaq/Packard-Bell/Dell).

(* P.O.S.T.= Power On Self Test. DOS-looking text flashes across the screen with motherboard hardware details.)



Found a post, that appears to indicate it doesn't work in Windows7 either:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157438

Just to be sure:

MSCONFIG.EXE-->Boot-->Advanced options: disable checkbox maximum
memory. Then, reboot computer and see.

That probably is not it but something to rule out.

http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/FX/FX6800/FX6800nv.shtml

No new files or details of recent development showing.

Maybe some info can be found in these threads:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/256374-30-ddr3-gateway-6800-helpppp
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/257928-30-gateway-6800-bios-update-gateway-unsupported

What is the state of your Vista? All service packed and continually kept up to date?

"MSCONFIG.EXE-->Boot-->Advanced options: disable checkbox maximum
memory. Then, reboot computer and see.

That probably is not it but something to rule out."

--------------------------------------
I think that did it!(?) Thanks much to you and all who gave suggestions.

System Information:

Instlled Physical Memory RAM 9GB
Total Physical Memory 8.99 GB



Task Manager:

Physical Memory (MB)

Total 9206

Does this mean I'm now using all 9 gb and all three channels?

Windows will never say it has or is using more memory than it actually is.
Sometimes the reverse can be true, though.


The Jedi Master

yeah, your OS sees and can utilize all 9GB.

so who set that setting in the first place?? Gateway or Best buy...

I don't know. I had a hard drive crash and the entire program set up had to reloaded by Best Buy. There must have been some adjustment to the original set up as one program I could not run before ran when I got the computer back. And the Control Panel Welcome Center screen has the name "DELL" in the upper right hand corner. So I'm tempted think it was Best Buy as I did not see any problem like mine in any discussion I read about for this unit. The computer had the ability to increase RAM. There was no mention of having to uncheck a box in order to increase RAM.

yeah because they just used a dell OEM disk to re-install windows.. laziness...

It may not had been laziness. I have no idea how or why but the video card driver could not be updated on that unit. ATI confirmed that to me. I needed an updated video card driver to run the program I said in the earlier post would not run. When the hard drive went, I told the Best Buy tech my problem and he told me he'd take care of it. When I got the computer back the program ran. So something changed. The fact that the program ran may have something to do with the installation of a Dell software component(s). ATI said the driver problem was specific to whatever Gateway did in setting up the computer. It's all a bit confusing at times.