Precision M60 Installed memory incorrectly reported in XP

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Gene007 wrote:

I have searched high and low for an answer to this, but to no avail.

 

I have installed 2 properly matched 1GB memory modules in my Precision M60, but XP will report only 760MB. I have tried all of the standard recommendations (remove and replace the chips, etc.) This appears to be unique, since most other threads on this issue involve installations of 4GB only being reported as 3GB. Despite days of searching, I have found no one with a similar complaint.

 

I would appreciate any advice on this. If there is not a way to fix this, is there a way to confirm how much memory is actually available to XP? (I have FreeRAMXP installed and it also reports only 760MB of RAM available.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

How do you know the memory is compatible with the M60?  Was it specified for the M60, or did you buy it on specs?

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Gene007 wrote:

Rick:

 

Thanks for the reply. This is an after market upgrade, not Dell supplied. The chips are PNY PC2700 DDR-333 (PNY part # N1GBD270PT), which are specifically designated by PNY as appropriate for the Precision M60.

 

They may be, but PNY is garbage memory and often doesn't work in a Dell. 

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Gene007 wrote:

I didn't know that, Rick.

 

But why would the BIOS correctly report the amount as 2GB? Doesn't this sound like an XP problem or at least something other than a physical memory issue?

 

You didn't say that bios saw them correctly.

 

Try each stick separately, but again it's substandard memory.

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Gene007 wrote:

Did that yesterday, Rick. No errors reported on any of the 6 tests.

 

Go to www.belarc.com and download the Belarc Advisor, see what it says you have installed.  If it says 2gb, then report back as to exactly where in XP you're seeing the smaller number.

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Gene007 wrote:

Thanks, Rick. I can't believe I overlooked that important fact in my first post. Yes, the BIOS correctly recognizes the installed RAM as 2GB.

 

In fact, the BIOS correctly reports the installed RAM with either chip installed. It correctly reports the amount installed as 1GB.

 

XP, however, always reports 760MB of RAM--with both chips installed, or with either of the chips installed singly.

 

Hope this helps.

 

I'd download Memtest86 and run it.

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Gene007 wrote:

Here's what Belarc says:

 

"760 Megabytes Installed Memory
Slot 'DIMM_A' has 1024 MB
Slot 'DIMM_B' has 1024 MB"

 

(That's right. That's exactly what it says.)

 

XP reports 760 MB in "System Properties."

 

You should report both Belarc and Windows to the authorities for consuming too much alcoholic beverages...

 

Wonder what Belarc and Windows say with 1 stick?

 

I'd try a better brand of memory.

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Gene007 wrote:

With one stick installed in the slot that the computer designates as "DIMM A", Belarc reports:

 

"760 megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM_A' is Empty

Slot 'DIMM_B' has 1024 MB"

 

When I change the stick to the other slot (the one the computer designates as the "B" slot), Belarc says that the same thing (760 MB except that now it says "Slot DIMM_A has 1024 MB, Slot DIMM_B is Empty."

 

Go figure. Maybe Dell has the labels reversed on the slots.

 

Whatever the label, this is awfully strange.

 

Curiously, prior to installing the two 1GB chips, I had a 512 and a 256 installed. (Not sure if that is pertinent to anything at the moment.)

 

I also did a REGEDIT search to see if anything was being reported as "760 MB". There was one entry under the software for my Verizon Wireless PC card: HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-3119885844-1376146828-4066020075-1005\Software\Smith Micro\CheckIt Wireless\Consumer Views\System Summary\Motherboard. The value for the key "Memory" was 00000020::760 MB.

 

There was an entry in the Hardward section of the Registry, but the value was a long binary number than conveyed little meaning to me.

 

(Don't worry, I'm not experimenting with different values).

 

By the way, Rick, thanks for all the attention you've devoted to this thread.

 

No problem.

 

Put the old memory back in.  If Windows XP and Belarc report it properly, then it's the PNY memory.

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Gene007 wrote:

I guess I am not surprised. I put the preexisting chips back in (a 256mb and a 512mb). The BIOS correctly reports the total to be 768mb. XP reports the total as 760mb.

 

For some reason, XP is maxing out at 760mb, no matter what is in the computer.

 

Any other thoughts? Is it possiible to delete something from the Device Manager and simply have Windows redetect it from scratch during startup? (I wouldn't have the foggiest idea what to delete from the Device Manager myself.)

 

Is there some benchmarking test that you might recommend so that I can determine whether this is only a "cosmetic" issue?

 

Thank again, Rick.

 

I'm curious as to how much memory shows when you do CTRL ALT DEL and click on the Performance tab.

 

Redetection processes, like clearing NVRAM, work for bios.  Bios is fine, sees all of it.  Windows isn't.  If it sees it under the Performance tab, then it's cosmetic.