[SOLVED] 8GB in BIOS, 3.13GB useable?

Stick one:
https://i.imgur.com/IOErEZw.jpg

Stick two:
https://i.imgur.com/OXZDzzY.jpg


I have an idea, I'll remove one stick and run the RAM test and paste the results.
Then, I'll swap and do the same.

Looks like it's the motherboard, ill order a new one online.

Thanks for all your input guys, greatly appreciated!

Originally Posted by -=HIGHHIGH=- Looks like it's the motherboard, ill order a new one online.

Haste not. The memory controller is on the CPU, not the motherboard.

Originally Posted by mrmazda Haste not. The memory controller is on the CPU, not the motherboard.

Whats your thoughts on this:

- MoBo see's both sticks of RAM.
- only able to use one stick of RAM.
- removing one stick, computer boots.
- removing another stick, computer boots.
- swapping either stick onto the other RAM slot ..computer doesn't boot.

In fact, what i found was when i used the other RAM slot, the screen backlight didn't even come on!
We know that the onboard GPU uses a portion of RAM as it's memory (explaining why 500MB was missing on all tests).

Whats the thoughts here, I'm assuming this could be a dropped laptop at some point and have a lil damage on the board.
Assuming if this was a CPU issue it's not likely that one slot wouldn't be working..

Share your thoughts, very interested.

Based on everything you've said and described;

I'd say that it's either once again faulty RAM or a faulty memory controller. It's most certainly a hardware issue IMHO.

Swapping either RAM stick to the identical slot on the board uses that individual stick of RAM to it's expected capacity.
Conclusion: not the RAM.

Originally Posted by jsbjsb001 ..a faulty memory controller.

I'll research this, thank you.

Originally Posted by jsbjsb001 It's most certainly a hardware issue IMHO.

Agreed! One RAM slot is faulty (or whats managing that slot), more research needed as per the normal causes for this..

some mobos require ram sticks to be two of a pair.
i once had this; i bought one extra ram stick, and found out it didn't fit with the other.
only solution was to sell them, and get a matching pair.

also some mobos are very picky about how you put the ram in.
say you have four slots, but only two sticks, you must put them in slot 1 & 3, no other way.

there might be the tiniest amount of dirt or oxidisation on the stick or in the plug.
use some canned air, maybe even a wipe with cloth or gentle brush (but one that doesn't lose hairs).

Originally Posted by -=HIGHHIGH=- Swapping either RAM stick to the identical slot on the board uses that individual stick of RAM to it's expected capacity. Conclusion: not the RAM. ... I'll research this, thank you. ... Agreed! One RAM slot is faulty (or whats managing that slot), more research needed as per the normal causes for this..

How about this?

Try ondoho's suggestions, and if you still have the same problem;

Replace the RAM in question with known GOOD RAM that you have ***verified*** as being ***100% compatible*** with your board, and if you still have the same problem; then my bet would be the memory controller that is faulty.

Look at/download the manual FOR the board in question and this should tell you EXACTLY which RAM modules ARE compatible with it.

Originally Posted by ondoho some mobos require ram sticks to be two of a pair. i once had this; i bought one extra ram stick, and found out it didn't fit with the other. only solution was to sell them, and get a matching pair.

Both sticks match

Originally Posted by ondoho also some mobos are very picky about how you put the ram in. say you have four slots, but only two sticks, you must put them in slot 1 & 3, no other way.

Only two slots!

Originally Posted by ondoho there might be the tiniest amount of dirt or oxidisation on the stick or in the plug. use some canned air, maybe even a wipe with cloth or gentle brush (but one that doesn't lose hairs).

I did see something on the pins on the slot thats faulty, i did some cleaning (but as its mounted sideways in a laptop it's quite difficult to really get in there.
It does look near perfect now and no good results after that.
Possibly something underneath, I'll see if i can unmount it without melting solder etc

Thanks for the suggestions!

Originally Posted by jsbjsb001 How about this? Try ondoho's suggestions, and if you still have the same problem; Replace the RAM in question with known GOOD RAM that you have ***verified*** as being ***100% compatible*** with your board, and if you still have the same problem; then my bet would be the memory controller that is faulty.

Please note that both sticks work 100% (and pass on memtest) when using slot A!
Neither stick works in slot B.

I have tested using either stick in slot B (with nothing in slot A) and the machine wont boot, the screen doesn't even come on.
The graphics are onboard graphics that use a percentage of RAM, it makes sense if no RAM were available this would fail steal it's needed allocation and therefore to power the GPU at all.

The above is why i'm 100% sure it's not the sticks, both passed memtest with flying colours when tested individually on Slot A.

Originally Posted by jsbjsb001 Look at/download the manual FOR the board in question and this should tell you EXACTLY which RAM modules ARE compatible with it.

RAM came with the computer, its a Lenovo z585.

Once again:

Originally Posted by jsbjsb001 Replace the RAM in question with known GOOD RAM that you have ***verified*** as being ***100% compatible*** with your board, and if you still have the same problem; then my bet would be the memory controller that is faulty.

Please just try that. This way we can confirm that it's NOT the RAM itself at fault and it therefore MUST be something else (like either the RAM slot itself or the memory controller).

Is the RAM slot in question loose in any way? Does it move even slightly when you touch it - the slot itself I mean - not the RAM module itself.

Originally Posted by jsbjsb001 Once again..

I live in the jungle, no spare sticks available without purchasing them!

Originally Posted by jsbjsb001 Is the RAM slot in question loose in any way? Does it move even slightly when you touch it - the slot itself I mean - not the RAM module itself.

Nope, it's solid. Thanks for the good suggestion

Well then, here are your possibilities;

* The RAM module(s) themselves - maybe unlikely given what we know to date.
* The RAM slot itself - maybe, but I have my doubts about that.
* The memory controller itself - most likely to my way of thinking, once again based on what we know to date.

The only other suggestion I can currently think of would be to try replacing the processor with a known good one; this way if it IS the memory controller, that should fix it and you will more likely than not know in that case, that it is indeed the memory controller at fault.

Good luck with it.

I don't see anywhere that you did a BIOS reset before or after flashing. How much trouble is it to remove the motherboard's battery or find a reset jumper? I wouldn't spend any money on anything without trying a BIOS reset first.

Originally Posted by mrmazda I don't see anywhere that you did a BIOS reset before or after flashing. How much trouble is it to remove the motherboard's battery or find a reset jumper? I wouldn't spend any money on anything without trying a BIOS reset first.

Had no idea this could affect the RAM slots, yes I shall remove the battery and reset the CMOS once it's finished with this huge download.
Thanks for the advice