32MB RAM Memory not detected by Win98se ?

[DRAMO4298]

Hello:

When I start my computer, my DOS POST "Memory Test" shows . . . 327680 KB.

After Windows 98se starts up, in "My Computer-Properties-System Properties" it shows only 288 MB RAM.

QUESTION:
Does anyone know why 32MB of RAM is NOT being detected by Windows 98se, yet detected during the POST Memory Test ?

THANK YOU for any help or info.


MY MACHINE:

This computer was custom-built on May 12, 1998:

OPERATING SYSTEM = Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition 4.10.2222 A
WINDOWS UPDATES INSTALLED = All "Critical Updates and Service Packs"
FRONT BUS SPEED = 66 MHz

RAM = 320 MB
RAM TYPE = SDRAM DIMM; 168-pin
RAM detected by DOS POST = 320 MB
RAM detected by Windows 98se = 288 MB
RAM (not) detected by Windows 98se = 32 MB
FREE RAM MEMORY = 220 MB (with all running programs CLOSED)

MEMORY MODULES:
A0 = Micron 8LSDT864AG-10CB4 01037183 64MB 8x(8Mx8) SDRAM PC100-322-622 (CL3 upto 125MHz)
A1 = PNY 128MB 8x(8Mx16) SDRAM PC100-322-622 (CL3 upto 100MHz) (CL2 upto 83MHz)
A2 = SpecTek 128MB 8x(16Mx8) SDRAM PC133-333-542 (CL3 upto 133MHz) (CL2 upto 83MHz)

MOTHERBOARD = Enpc (Enlightcorp) EP-KL21 v1.3 (4-PCI 3-ISA 1-AGP) 12/1997
BIOS = Award Modular v4.51PG 02/20/98-i440LX-SMC67X-2A69JECBC-00
PROCESSOR = Intel Pentium II, MMX, 300 MHz (w/Cooling Fan)
POWER SUPPLY = ATX-725b (250 Watt) 3.3V (Deep Electronic Co.)

FLOPPY DRIVE = Samsung 3.5" (1.44 MB/2.88 MB) Internal; A:
HARD DRIVE = Quantum Bigfoot TX; 12GB; UDMA/33; DMA=on; Internal; 4000 RPM; MASTER; C: D:
CD-RW DRIVE = Yamaha CRW3200EZ (40X); E-IDE (ATAPI); Internal; DMA=on; MASTER; E:
CDROM DRIVE = Hitachi CDR-8330 (24X); Internal; PIO4=on; SLAVE; F:

PRIMARY IDE CABLE = HARD DISK Drive (MASTER)
SECONDARY IDE CABLE = CD-RW Drive (MASTER); CDROM Drive (SLAVE)

MONITOR = Dell D1728D-LS (VS17X Driver) 17" Color Monitor (3/1997)
VIDEO CARD = ATI 3D Rage Pro AGP 2X; 4MB(28MB AGP) SGRAM; AGP slot; TURBO
RESOLUTION = 800x600xHighColor 16-bit

MODEM = Pragmatic H56RSP-F0; Internal; (Rockwell ACF 56K-Flex BPS PnP Data/Fax/Voice)
PRINTER = Canon BJC-2110 Color Inkjet
SOUND CARD = DCS S727 PCI (Ensoniq clone); Creative Labs SB AudioPCI 64V Driver

SCANNER = Umax Astra 1200S Flat-Bed
SCANNER SOFTWARE = VistaScan v1.08
SCSI INTERFACE CARD = Domex DMX3181LE (DTC436E) UDS-IS11 PC/ISA

MOUSE = Standard PS/2 Port (Microsoft PS/2 IntelliMouse Trackball)
KEYBOARD = Hewlett-Packard SK-2501K (w/13 Hotkeys)
JOYSTICK = Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro
DIRECTX = 8.1-b (4.08.01.0901)

BROWSER = Aol 9.0 Revision 4148.920; AOL Email; Dial-Up 56K Modem Connection
BROWSER = Internet Explorer 6.0.2800.1106 (SP1); 128-bit Strength

 

[jrbarnett]

Did your PC used to detect all the RAM, then stop or has this always been the way?

John

 

[SYAR2003]

It seemes to me that only half of the
A0 = Micron 8LSDT864AG-10CB4 01037183 64MB 8x(8Mx8) SDRAM PC100-322-622 (CL3 upto 125MHz)
is detected .

You cold try rearrange the modules putting this one
at A3 .
128+128+32=288

It could have something to do with the mix .
Are the 128M single-sided and 64M double-sided ,
if so that would explain why the 64M is just working in
single-side mode.

 

[DRAMO4298]

jrbarnett:
My PC always detected the 288 MB I had installed. Then I exchanged the 32MB module on this machine with this 64MB module from IBM machine.

That "other" machine showed Memory as 48MB . . . yet, it contained this 64MB module, as well as, a 32MB module.

So on the "other" machine, 48MB of this 64MB module were NOT being detected by Windows 98se.

On my machine, 32MB of this 64MB is NOT being detected by Windows 98se.

SYAR2003:
Originally this problem occurred when these Modules were in the arrangement you mentioned (128+128+64).

Now the arrangement is (64+128+128); I have NOT tried the arrangement (128+64+128) yet.

As for the Modules being "single-sided" or "double-sided" . . . SiSoft Sandra 2003 Standard (diagnostic program) identifies all 3-Modules as "single-bank".

And why the "differences" of 32MB and 48MB not being detected by Windows 98se on TWO machines ?

THANK YOU for any info.

 

[TekTippy4U]

Update the BIOS...

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[Snickle]

Just curious, is the 32MB of RAM being assigned to an on-board video/display adapter [Shared Memory]?

 

[DRAMO4298]

Hi, BERTON:

I am not sure what you mean (Shared Memory). . . the "Cirrus Logic 5446 PCI" is NOT a "Video Card" - but an ONBOARD VIDEO CHIP.

Can you explain a little more about what you asked, how I can check-out what you are asking me?

Maybe this 64MB Memory Module is corrupted or damaged, since different amounts of memory are not being detected on different machines.

Any help or info is appreciated.

THANK YOU.

 

[jrbarnett]

I think that there is something very dodgy about that DIMM.
I would run memtest86 over it (

http://www.memtest86.com)

and see if it picks up any errors.

John

 

[DRAMO4298]

JRBARNETT:

Hi, John. It's funny, I was just reading about "Memtest86: A Stand-alone Diagnostic" to see HOW to run it.

Then, decided to check this post and saw your suggestion.

So, I'll run MEMTEST86 from a floppy and see what turns up.

I should just go and buy another 128MB - since I think this motherboard can go upto 384MB RAM (or maybe 512MB).

Until later - thanks again. :>)

 

[DRAMO4298]

Hello again:

MEMTEST-86 v3.0 did NOT find any errors after 4-hours.

However, the documentation on this program does not really explain HOW to run it . . . so I just let it run automatically after I rebooted.

I guess NO "extended tests" were performed because I don't see HOW to choose that letter "C" at the bottom of the program screen to get into the TEST CONFIGURATION MENU.

The Memory Tests just start up automatically right after rebooting.

So, I really don't know if there are any errors because I am unsure if I even STARTED the program correctly.

Maybe a BIOS UPDATE is the next step as suggested by "TekTippy4U" ???????

Thanks again.

 

[SYAR2003]

Well did memtest test 320MB or 288MB .
...

 

[TekTippy4U]

syar2003, jbarnett, berton I said my short quip for a very good reason .........look here......

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/win95/t1034180803

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/win95/t1034180803

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/win95/r1034182227

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/win95/t1034180803

look familiar Richard.....?!!!!!!does it huh.....?

The dude blew up his pc earlier!!!!!!

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[SYAR2003]

Well TT4U i guess i would have taken that RAM out and got myself equal chips .
That's it for me , no more suggestions .

 

[DRAMO4298]

SYAR2003:
Memtest tested 320 MB; it said, "Testing 96K - 320M" on the screen.

TekTippy4U:
Thanks for the suggestion about a BIOS UPDATE - which I have put off long enough.

 

[DRAMO4298]

JUST WONDERING . . .

I read somewhere, "THE KERNEL IS CONFUSED ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF MEMORY IN YOUR SYSTEM."

Try booting with "extra parameter" . . . MEM=320M

I remember the word "APPEND" - so maybe it said,

APPEND MEM=320M

MY QUESTION:
How would I try this "MEM=320M" ? What FILE would I add this "extra parameter" too ? Does this even APPLY to my problem at hand ?

 

[DRAMO4298]

SOLUTION FOUND !!!!

Hello, again:

To fix this problem, I had to go "START - RUN - MSCONFIG - ADVANCED - LIMIT MEMORY TO 288MB" . . . .

and "UNCHECK" that Option.

Now, my OS is detecting the whole 320MB of RAM.

There was nothing wrong with the BIOS, Memory Modules, or OS.

This ISSUE is closed.