RAM Installation question & slight problem

[Crizto]

Hey guys, so I recently upgraded my RAM from 4GB to 8GB, however I'm running into a bit of trouble and want some suggestions. I installed it fine from what I can tell (heard the lock-click etc...) and my computer boots up and runs as normal. However, when I go to MyComputer, it only shows 4GB which was originally installed. I have an ASUS P7P55-M motherboard, so I used PCProbe to check if it saw the 2 extra sticks, but it didn't. So I downloaded CPU-Z, and it shows that I have 6 GB and that Slot4 does not have anything installed.

I'm not sure where in the BIOS I can check the individual DIMM slots, but all I could see was under System Information it showed 4GB of RAM as opposed to 8 or even 6. I have tried switching the RAM between slots 3 and 4, but not to 1 and 2. If CPU-Z shows that I have 6GB, would that mean that one of my sticks is a dud? I've already had to return a defective pair today and would really like to save the trip again lol.

What would be a good way to find out the root cause of all this? I don't think my motherboard is bad or anything, I bought it last year and it's been running smoothly. And I did use the search function briefly, but didn't find anything about installation problems >_> since RAM is typically easy to install lol.

[Crowort]

32 or 64 bit windows? Likely not this simple but we need to know.

[Jojimbo]

Could try booting with just the new sticks of RAM installed, that would be a quick test to see if they need replacing.

[xopher]

If it's not showing the full amount in the bios it has nothing to do with the operating system being 32 or 64 bit. It's likely a dead slot. Did you leave your computer plugged or the PSU plugged into the motherboard when you installed the new memory? If so you could have shorted the slot. Or the extra slots could have been defective from the beginning. Try the new sticks in the first two slots. If they work, it's a busted slot.

[Crowort]

Yeah I misunderstood 'under system info'. Rereading it he is taking about in the BIOS, I'd assumed he meant info from the OS. A bit more info on the RAM might be helpful, are the rated to run at low voltage like the P55 chipset requires etc? Have you tried the new sticks in in place of the old? Going back to the original placements but with the new ones? A couple of times I've come across this it has been a compatibility issue that a BIOS update fixed.

[Crizto]

I am using 64 bit Windows 7. Under My Computer it shows that I only have 4GB of RAM, and in the BIOS there is an item called "System Information" which also shows 4GB of ram. I will make sure to try just putting the new sticks of RAM in and see if they are busted or not. I don't know how to do the Voltage stuff in the BIOS at all.
The RAM I'm using is two sticks of 2GB RAM. Patriot, Sector 5 DDR3 PC3-10666 1333Mhz. Basically the same as my old RAM except my old ram is Corsair. I wasn't able to get the same RAM as there was non in stock.

[Crowort]

The RAM is low voltage so it ain't that. Do you know which BIOS version you have? Almost every BIOS update for your board has improve memory compatibility listed. Don't go updating it unless you know what you are doing thou. It is fairly easy but you need to be careful, never do it will in windows that is just asking for problems.

[Cheerios]

Could try booting with just the new sticks of RAM installed, that would be a quick test to see if they need replacing.

This, and also try booting with your original sticks of RAM in the previously unoccupied slots. For example, if your original 4GB (2x2GB) was installed in Slot 1 and Slot 2, try them in Slot 3 and Slot 4 while leaving Slot 1 and Slot 2 blank.

[Crizto]

Awesome. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll be trying this all after work tonight.
Just as an aside question, does increasing memory make the pcu temperature go up a bit?

[Crowort]

The CPU temp can go up and/or overclocks become unstable. The Clarkdale cpu which you'll be using since your mobo is a p55 chipset have the memory controller on the CPU die so more sticks of ram means more heat for the cpu. It shouldn't really be too noticeable unless you are a large overclock, if you have overclocked it is always a good idea to load defaults and start the process again if adding more RAM.

[Cheerios]

Awesome. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll be trying this all after work tonight.
Just as an aside question, does increasing memory make the pcu temperature go up a bit?

Yes, especially if you increase the RAM speed, and if you utilize most of the memory that the RAM offers. If you aren't utilizing most of the memory and you left it at stock speeds, then it wouldn't increase much at all.

[Crizto]

Okay well I just got home and took my old RAM out, and popped the other set in. I couldn't get the machine to POST. So I took that out and put my old RAM back in and again I couldn't get it to POST. Actually I see nothing on my monitors as it shows there is no signal. So did I just fry my motherboard in the constant power off/power on from taking RAM in and out?

[Jojimbo]

Did you turn off the PSU when replacing the RAM? turning the PC off might not be good enough.

[Crizto]

Yeah every time I turned the PSU off.

[Jojimbo]

I'm not sure why it wouldn't be posting even with the old RAM then, are they seated properly? No monitor output can happen with not seated/no RAM. Also can try each stick on it's own just in case.

edit: Worth reseating them a few times even if they were, stuff could have built up and is preventing a connection.

[Crizto]

Yeah I made sure that the RAM was inserted properly to the best of my knowledge. But I took it in anyways and I'll see whats wrong by tomorrow. By the end of it, my CPU fan was going absolutely crazy haha.

[Cheerios]

Does your motherboard produce any error codes (beep codes) when it fails to start? Like [long, short, short] or [short, short, short] beeps?

Also, you can try to clean the RAM connectors and RAM slots with isopropyl alcohol and some cotton swabs/damp cloth. I prefer swabs because I can pull the tips to stretch the cotton to get in the RAM slots.

[Crizto]

Yeah there were no beeps or anything. Back when I had installed truly defective ram I had similar problems where I wouldn't get anything on my monitors. Can't wait to find out the problems tomorrow lol

[mootsfox]

Sounds like a reseating issue.

Take the RAM out, clean out the slots with canned air, reinstall the new RAM only, run memtest86+.

[Crowort]

I'd put the old ram back in and clear the cmos myself.