RAM Recognition

CHiLL · 23-03-2009, 12:57

I have yet another RAM issue. This time it's on my laptop.

It's an Acer Aspire 5920, with 3GB of DDR2 333MHz. (1x 2GB and 1x 1GB)

Last time I knew all 3GB was working was last Monday, because I was able to run VirtualPC. I came to run virtual PC in college this afternoon, and it wouldn't run because it said there wasn't enough RAM. I went into the settings, and it was the same as last week (2048). But now 2048 was the maximum and I had to lower it to 1GB.

Right click My Computer > Properties shows 2GB of RAM. As does dxdiag and Everest Ultimate.

How ever, my BIOS and CPU-Z is still detecting 3GB.

Do I have a dead 1GB stick?

CHiLL · 23-03-2009, 14:06

Update:

I have used Everest again, and that is detecting the two sticks are installed, but it's still only detecting 2GB.

Here's some screen shots.

boroboi · 23-03-2009, 14:36

Not having much luck with RAM are you!

I'm guessing the BIOS is still detecting 3GB ? If any of the chips had died it would kill the entire SO-DIMM module, my guess is that it's a software problem.

I don't suppose you have time to re-install windows onto a seperate partition? That would be a good way to see if something has happened in windows itself.

CHiLL · 23-03-2009, 15:38

I have been planning on on re-installing Vista on it, as I'm having too many problems surrounding drivers on XP. If the problem persists, I'll have to send it back to Acer.

smee init · 23-03-2009, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHiLL

I have yet another RAM issue. This time it's on my laptop.

It's an Acer Aspire 5920, with 3GB of DDR2 333MHz. (1x 2GB and 1x 1GB)

Do I have a dead 1GB stick?

Does the bios show you what sticks are installed or does it just say how much mem? would tell you then if the 1GB stick is faulty or boot up with just 1 of the sticks installed then the other one on its own and check what it says.

damien c · 23-03-2009, 19:06

sorry to say this but acer will tell you to restore it first back to factory settings incase of software fault, they will only look at it if it is a hardware fault i know this because i use to sell them for comet, and had to deal with them on a weekly basis also if you have removed the version of windows that was originally on the pc without creating the backups therefore not, being able to do a factory restore iirc then they will say you have voided your warranty because that what hp does not 100% sure about acer.

as stated above try with just 1 lot of ram and see what happens but my oppinion is software issue if some parts are still showing 3gb of ram.

CHiLL · 23-03-2009, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by damien c

sorry to say this but acer will tell you to restore it first back to factory settings incase of software fault, they will only look at it if it is a hardware fault i know this because i use to sell them for comet, and had to deal with them on a weekly basis also if you have removed the version of windows that was originally on the pc without creating the backups therefore not, being able to do a factory restore iirc then they will say you have voided your warranty because that what hp does not 100% sure about acer.

as stated above try with just 1 lot of ram and see what happens but my oppinion is software issue if some parts are still showing 3gb of ram.

The Acer warranty only covers hardware failure. It doesn't matter what I install on the HDD, because that's software.

Due to installing Windows XP, my MBR has changed, meaning I can't use Acer's recovery partition. I am currently trying to fix it, so I can load it back up like it was out of the box.

damien c · 23-03-2009, 21:48

i only mentioned it because and i know what people will say that acer is not hp but rather than you finding out, later and having to struggle with them about it hp told me that because a customer had installed a different os that caused the hardware failure stupid i know but that's what they said.

i didn't want you to be surprised if they said the same to you however i do feel that this is a software issue, rather than hardware due to your bios and cpu-z still seeing the 3gb.
i would suggest if possible a restore back to factory or a fresh install, of windows and see if it recognises the full 3gb if it doesn't then it's hardware imho.

smee init · 23-03-2009, 22:47

Chill where did you buy this from? just asking because you can still order the recovery discs from pc world if it was there.

CHiLL · 24-03-2009, 07:49

It turns out it was a software issue. I managed to fix the Acer D2D recovery partition. (XP had wiped Acer's MBR) Once restored I was able to use the Alt+F10 feature on startup. Now I have Vista installed, and all 3GB of RAM.

Thanks for the help.