Missing memory ( ram )

[stelly]

Hi , i have recently encountered a weird problem that i've never met before and it seems that i can't solve it . Half of my total memory is gone . BIOS reports 4096 mb , but in the same time , on the SPD info in bios i can see that every slot is populated with a 2048 mb stick . I am running 4 x 2 GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 , XMP on a Asus Sabertooth P67 motherboard and a Intel i5-3570K cpu . I don't know if this is somehow related to the fact that i've upgraded my gpu to a R9-280 . Needless to say that i've tested each memory stick on each slot , one by one , then dual channel , then all of them , everything works . MemTest86+ shows no errors , Cpu-Z reports 8 Gb , Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit reports 4 gb . Downgraded the BIOS , same issue and another problem , my machine won't POST on UEFI mode with the R9 , it works only in legacy mode . Upgraded to the latest BIOS , same problem . Any help would be useful . Thanks .

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System Information
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Time of this report: 1/12/2015, 14:37:45
Machine name: SABERTOOTH
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.140303-2144)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 11/01/12 09:54:59 Ver: 36.02
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 4064MB RAM
Page File: 2478MB used, 5646MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

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Display Devices
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Card name: AMD Radeon R9 200 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x679A)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_679A&SUBSYS_30031682&REV_00
Display Memory: 4095 MB
Dedicated Memory: 3055 MB
Shared Memory: 1040 MB

Installed another video card , i still can't use all my ram although i've never had this issue since i've built this rig .

One more thing i've missed to add . Before noticing that the machine runs slower , i got a warning that motherboard temp reached -1 C and my GPU temp was also extremely low .

 

[Athlonite]

Your mobo QVL does not recommend 4x2GB for 8 GB of the type of Corsair ram your using

try 2x4GB sticks instead

 

[stelly]

It worked without a problem for more than 2 years even that i am not sure that the QVL is accurate . Even OC was fine with those DIMMS . I don't have 2 x 4 Gb atm . I assume that Corsair Vengeance were released after Asus Sabertooth P67 and Asus forgot to update their QVL . They didn't make a new bios since 2012 also and that says a lot . Like this R9 won't boot in UEFI mode but the GTX560TI did . I just ran IPDT 64bit and the test completed with no errors .

 

[Athlonite]

maybe on channel of your memory controller has gone poo are you able to borrow another CPU to test

 

[stelly]

Test completed successfully with Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool 64 bit version . Everything passed . MCH , etc . I assume it's a bios bug or the motherboard is damaged although i don't have enough reasons to believe this . I've tested all ram sticks 30 mins ago , again . Everything works fine , it seems that the mobo is bricked on the 4 GB limit . I don't know how it happened , all started to go wrong since i bought this R9-280 . Machine won't POST in UEFI mode with this GPU . GeForce 7900GTX ( 2005 ) , works in UEFI mode . Also , tested HD5870 , HD6790 , GTX560Ti . They all work but the R9 won't . I've contacted Asus and some tech guy replied and asked for more infos , like the exact memory model , to work on my case .

 

[ruff0r]

Kind of same error i had.
one day i only got half my ram 4x4gb and checked each ram individually and checked out fine.

What came to be even a bigger problem for me was that my Second PCI-E slot was not working anymore at all single card or in SLI the Slot was not working anymore.

I first thought my CPU gone bad since it was running OC since day 1, but after a lot of testing Reseating striping the hole system checking each component even cpu I narrowed it down to Mainboard.(
P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3)

Changed the Mainbaord all ram same cpu same Cards all working fine again even With OC.

Do test to put your card in your Second PCI-E Slot and see if it gets detected and running maybe you have the same wired Board dying issue i had.

 

[Schmuckley]

Have you reseated your CPU lately? changed chips?
Try to make sure your cooler mount is even yet not too tight..
..and reseat all your RAMs.Maybe bump the IMC voltage a hair.

 

[stelly]

Thanks for the replies , guys . No , i didn't reseat the cpu for a long time , didn't changed anything but video cards , tested all the memory DIMMs on each slot , individually , then pairs , then all of them , no problems . ruff0r you might have something here , the second pci-ex doesn't work anymore . I've installed the graphic card on it , the machine gets stuck at boot , no display and the graphic card's fan is at full speed . I hope that i can get a new one from Asus as the TUF series are covered by a 5 years warranty . I'm waiting for the Asus guy to reply . Fingers crossed . Everything started with this damn R9-280 i got . Everything was fine before i got it , installed it and reinstalled Windows . I was playing Crysis 3 and i've noticed that my CPU temp went to 70 C out of the blue . It never went that high , even oced and i was on stock speed . Then i noticed that the computer was a bit slower like before and i've check something and noticed that there were only 4 GB present on system properties . This was how all started . I assumed that maybe the R9 was too power hungry for my PSU , but this PSU ran a GTX295 without a problem , for years and that card requires more power than the R9 .

 

[ruff0r]

Asus will tell you send it to them for RMA Definitely and yes sound like the same i had, doubt that it is because of your new card the hole system wouldn't work it the card would be the reason.

 

[stelly]

I will dismantle everything right now and check the cpu socket pins , reseat the cpu and test it on the table . I've encountered weird problems in the past , like the machine won't start while everything was inside the case . If i can't solve it , i'd be happy to RMA it . I assume that i can get a newer TUF series , like the Z77 , as they don't make the P67 anymore .

 

[ruff0r]

I will dismantle everything right now and check the cpu socket pins , reseat the cpu and test it on the table . I've encountered weird problems in the past , like the machine won't start while everything was inside the case . If i can't solve it , i'd be happy to RMA it . I assume that i can get a newer TUF series , like the Z77 , as they don't make the P67 anymore .

Nope they will try to repair yours first and after 3 attempts maybe you get some money back unless you find a very nice guy in the RMA that gives you an NEW rma board.

 

[stelly]

Back . Yes , i've heard those , ruff0r , but i can be very convincing when it comes to my money and even take it to Consumer Affairs if needed . I'm not gonna let my monthly wage i've spent on this mobo go down the river . It will not be the first time that i'd have to handle these kind of situations . I know my rights as a consumer . Anyway , i've dismantled everything , checked the pins with a magnifying glass and a lantern . All fine . Put everything back and powered the machine then i got the " New CPU installed !" error . This motherboard is obviously much more intelligent than i am . Still stuck on the 4 GB limit .

 

[ruff0r]

Back . Yes , i've heard those , ruff0r , but i can be very convincing when it comes to my money and even take it to Consumer Affairs if needed . I'm not gonna throw my monthly wage i've spent on this mobo go down the river . It will not be the first time that i'd have to handle these kind of situations . I know my rights as a consumer . Anyway , i've dismantled everything , checked the pins with a magnifying glass and a lantern . All fine . Put everything back and powered the machine then i got the " New CPU installed !" error . This motherboard is obviously much more intelligent than i am . Still stuck on the 4 GB limit .

use your rights but remember always be kind and receive kindness in return.
Tell them what you did what you observed what you tested and they will compile and Help.

 

[stelly]

When you get like 200 Euros / month ( if you're lucky ) , ruff0r, and you pay 250 Euros for a mobo that dies that fast , you're not really in the kindness mood . I bust my hump every day to buy quality components that are supposed to last 5 years at least before another upgrade . I was using a Intel Bad Axe 2 mobo from 2006-2012 and i've never had a problem with that system . I was kinda forced to switch to new gen , otherwise i would have still be using it . I loved that system . Rock solid .

 

[INSTG8R]

You've tried the "RAM OK" button on the board? I have the same board and also using Vengence ram(2x4GB)

 

[stelly]

You've tried the "RAM OK" button on the board? I have the same board and also using Vengence ram(2x4GB)

Yes , INSTG8R , tried it , everything goes fine , but that's all . I still can't use but 4096 MB memory . Thank you .

 

[Toothless]

Have you tried different slot combos? Like 1 and 3 or 2 and 3 only? Put in only 3/4 sticks?

 

[stelly]

Yes Toothless , any possible combination . Tested all sticks on each slots individually , then paired , then all four sticks , 3/4 sticks shows me also 4096 only . MemTest86+ ok , Asus Pc Diagnostics Ok , Intel PD ok . Out of ideas .

 

[Athlonite]

it's starting to sound like a mobo problem then maybe time to be thinking RMA and to make sure they don't send you back the same mobo take a marker pen and leave a discreet mark somewhere take a pic of it and then send it in

 

[Schmuckley]

Asus p67 boards were kinda flaky anyway.
four i had eventually went south..(out of 5)
either missing RAM slots or USB cutting in and out...or onboard sound dying...ethernet..
making no claims that it wasn't my own doing a couple times

 

[stelly]

Let's see if their "5 years International Warranty Certificate" for the TUF series is real then .

 

[INSTG8R]

Let's see if their "5 years International Warranty Certificate" for the TUF series is real then .

Let me know how that works out for you. I actually have 2 Sabertooths. One has a corrupted BIOS I just can't be arsed to go thru the hassle.

 

[stelly]

INTSG8R , i will . But in the same time i'd have to buy another board anyway because i can't wait until this one will be repaired/replaced . Try to put the latest bios on USB thumb drive and just power on the corrupted mobo with the USB drive in . It should update automatically , i had the same issue with my girlfriend's Sabertooth and this was how i solved it .

 

[INSTG8R]

INTSG8R , i will . But in the same time i'd have to buy another board anyway because i can't wait until this one will be repaired/replaced . Try to put the latest bios on USB thumb drive and just power on the corrupted mobo with the USB drive in . It should update automatically , i had the same issue with my girlfriend's Sabertooth and this was how i solved it .

Hah that was reason I just bought a 2nd one as I couldn't wait or be without my MoBo. There is a solution for it you have to "blank" the BIOS then reflash it but like I said I just bought another one and put the dead one in the closet as a "spare" I can easily just switch the BIOS chips for a quick and dirty switch.

 

[stelly]

It seems that the TUF series are not that TUF as they say . I hope that the warranty is TUF or i had it with Asus .

What do you know , the Asus Support guy emailed me and told me to update the bios and also that they cannot guarantee that my ram is compatible with the Sabertooth P67 because they didn't test the board with those DIMMS . Well , i can guarantee that they are perfectly compatible as i was using Vengeance from the start , since 2012 and everything went fine , even overclock .

it's starting to sound like a mobo problem then maybe time to be thinking RMA and to make sure they don't send you back the same mobo take a marker pen and leave a discreet mark somewhere take a pic of it and then send it in

There's no need for that , Athlonite , the board has a unique serial number which i have registered on my account on the Asus' website .

Something intrigues me , but i'm not a tech after all . Take a look at these .