If you're on the General tab after selecting Properties from the My Computer right-click menu, it should be showing the full amount of installed RAM, not what's available.
Reboot, and press F12 before XP starts to load. Go to Utilities partition and run all the RAM tests. Sounds like maybe a RAM module has failed. You can also try powering off the system, disconnect it from the mains and then press/hold power button on front of tower for ~15 sec. Open case and carefully reseat the RAM modules in their slots. Used canned air to blow out the dust bunnies too (not a vacuum cleaner).
If necessary, try each module alone in slot 1. The system probably won't boot with a single defective module in slot 1. That'll help you figure out which one is off.
BTW: always include the system's model number in your posts. ;)
hey ron, just wanted to say thanks for your info. and sorry it took so long to get back.
i had already tried making sure they were in correctly by taking them out, and then back in again. after that didnt work, i tried swapping them, but again, that did not work. i will try the Ram test, and try putting one at a time in only in slot 1.
but like i said, its weird it is registering as one amount in my BIOS and another way in system properties.
That happened on my 8400 too. (You didn't say what system you have. :( ) The outcome for me was one failed Samsung 512K DDR2 RAM module.
Be sure to run memory tests with all modules installed in matched pairs if yours has DDR2 RAM like the 8400. DDR2 runs fastest when installed in pairs, and at a slower speed when a module is alone. A module might pass at slow speed but fail at high speed so you want to be sure it's fully stressed when you test.
BTW: with both modules installed, reset BIOS (NVRAM) to see if it now reports only 512K installed. It might still be holding the previous info and didn't update if a module failed.
Huh?
This is a
Dell user forum. Are you posting problems with an HP system here? I have no clue how to reset BIOS settings on an HP, or about anything else related to HP systems.
well basics are basics. all computers are made up the same way, just the hardware may be different. but if u are giving advice, im guessin ur good with computers. i mean, a plumber doesent just work with one type of tubing, he is familiar with all different types. get my drift.?
Elsbeth.
2 Intern
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614 Posts
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September 19th, 2007 13:00
The amount listed under Properties is the amount of available memory, and not total memory.
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
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September 21st, 2007 23:00
Reboot, and press F12 before XP starts to load. Go to Utilities partition and run all the RAM tests. Sounds like maybe a RAM module has failed. You can also try powering off the system, disconnect it from the mains and then press/hold power button on front of tower for ~15 sec. Open case and carefully reseat the RAM modules in their slots. Used canned air to blow out the dust bunnies too (not a vacuum cleaner).
If necessary, try each module alone in slot 1. The system probably won't boot with a single defective module in slot 1. That'll help you figure out which one is off.
BTW: always include the system's model number in your posts. ;)
Ron
Message Edited by RoHe on 09-21-2007 05:18 PM
hvfd13
82 Posts
0
September 24th, 2007 14:00
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
0
September 24th, 2007 19:00
Be sure to run memory tests with all modules installed in matched pairs if yours has DDR2 RAM like the 8400. DDR2 runs fastest when installed in pairs, and at a slower speed when a module is alone. A module might pass at slow speed but fail at high speed so you want to be sure it's fully stressed when you test.
BTW: with both modules installed, reset BIOS (NVRAM) to see if it now reports only 512K installed. It might still be holding the previous info and didn't update if a module failed.
Ron
hvfd13
82 Posts
0
September 24th, 2007 22:00
Microsoft Windows XP Pro
SP2
Intel Celeron CPU 2.93 GHz
2.93 GHz, 1 GB of RAM
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
0
September 24th, 2007 22:00
This is a Dell user forum. Are you posting problems with an HP system here? I have no clue how to reset BIOS settings on an HP, or about anything else related to HP systems.
Ron
hvfd13
82 Posts
0
September 24th, 2007 23:00