Problem with build 7232


Recommended Posts

No you did not. Go back to Windows XP x64 or Windows Vista x64 Edition and all 4gb will be detected correctly.

No, it's the chipset. I have the same problem.

The only thing is vista don't show the usuable part, but it only uses 3.

And my BIOS shows 3200Mb usuable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

According to Intel's website, that chipset only supports a maximum of 4GiB of memory. Now, this includes memory on the video card and some other set aside for various other parts in the system which, in your case, leaves 3 GiB left for RAM.

The same is likely true of chipsets designed to compete with it (such as the nForce 630i).

Data point (and this happened to me less than fifteen minutes ago): After extended stability runs with my applications after upgrading from a mere 1 GB to 3 GB (by simply adding a 2 GB stick of the same speed and timings as the 1 GB stick, which is half of a matched pair), I wanted to try the full 4 GB of system RAM, after all, I only have a rather wimpy and shrimpy 256 MB PCIe graphics card. No problemo, right?

Big problemo (at least with Windows); it flatly refused to boot. Not even in safe mode.

And this is the 64-bit version of Windows (albeit Windows 7 build 7232).

3 GB installed; things are right as rain. Add that fourth gigabyte, and you have the ant that tried to eat the elephant.

Given that 64-bit Windows is, in fact, *designed* for RAM capacities that far outstrip those of any motherboard (desktop OR server) currently shipping, that told me it was not a Windows problem per se, but likely a chipset problem, especially considering the chipset's *known* 4 GB RAM ceiling.

Not exactly fun to find out that your RAM ceiling is just a BIT *lower* than you thought, even with the *heavyweight* desktop Windows. (It's like approaching a tunnel with a thirteen-foot high tractor-trailer, only to find the tunnel clearance being a mere 12' 6". Very bad.) At least I was able to lower the truck (dropping back to 3 GB).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, it's the chipset. I have the same problem.

The only thing is vista don't show the usuable part, but it only uses 3.

And my BIOS shows 3200Mb usuable.

Definitely NOT a Windows issue, especially considering the roots of all three 64-bit desktop operating systems (Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2, respectively) and that only certain low-end chipsets (not just the 945GM, but the nForce 7100/630i got bit, too) have the issue. (Midrange chipsets, such as the nForce 650i, 680i LT, and 750i, don't have that problem; neither do the Intel 925X/975X/P35/P45.)I have 3 GB of RAM installed currently, and *none* of that is used for anything like cache, graphics, etc. (Cache of BIOS information has been pointless since the Pentium III, and of the graphics BIOS since the birth of AGP; no operating system since Windows 2000 needs either one.) The problem (and a bigger one for most) is graphics; specifically, if you have an add-on graphiics card (and most of us do). That RAM has to be accounted for in terms of address lines; unfortunately, with one of these *hobbled* chipsets, the larger graphics card you add, the lower the tunnel clearance gets. I have a PCIe graphics card with just 256 MB (the lowest available in that graphics bus). I can go to 512 MB; however, 1024 MB would not be advised without a motherboard/chipset change. (Farfetched? Not even close; HD4650-based PCIe graphics cards with 512 MB and 1024 MB capacities are now considered *midrange*, and both are shipping today at midrange prices.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can't believe no one suggested this yet, unless I missed it.

Pull out all the RAM from your computer. Test each stick individually in the same slot and see if bios recognizes it. If each stick is recognized then try it again from the other slot. Most likely you have either:

1) Bad RAM

2) Bad Slot

3) mobo that doesn't support over 3gb (which doesn't appear to be the case)

It has nothing to do with windows if BIOS is only reporting 3gb

P.S. Long time reader, first time poster =)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have installed 2 sticks of 2GB of RAM, so if the RAM is crap, how is it possible to have 3GB? Anyway, I will try that.

But that still doesn't explain me why some things changed since I installed the RAM. The boot screen has switched back to Vista's default one, instead of the animated flag of Windows 7. Another thing as well is when I install Windows from disk/usb, the whole installation is in 256 colors I guess, cause I can't see ****. Why is that and what is it supposed to do with my RAM upgrade?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It says you have 4GB's of memory in windows. and 3GB's is only usable..because of your chipset. I dont see any problems.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.