BleepingComputer.com: Vista doesn't recognize new RAM

Last night, I replaced two 512 MB DDR2 with two 1GB DDR2 chips, because one of the original chips failed a memory test. Before the replacement, my system registered 3062Mb RAM. After the replacement, Vista still reports exactly the same amount of RAM.

The motherboard in the Intel D945PSN, and the Operating System is Windows Vista Ultimate x86. I know because of 32bit addressing the OS won't see the full 4GB, but I expected at least a small increase in memory, to 3.5GB. Is there something extra I need to do to get Vista to recheck the installed RAM? Oh, and the system BIOS does recognize the new RAM, showing 2048x2. The new chips were specifically recommended for the mobo.

Well the full 4GB thing is kinda iffy, ive seen it on a few computers. Some of them willl recognize up too 3GB (3062MB) Some will recognize 3.5 (3574MB)

We cant really rule this one out unless you install a 64bit operating system first. If you cannot installed a 64bit version of Vista/XP I belive they have linux distros at 64bit and you should be abel to check it.


Also the BIOS would recognize the correct amout of RAM.

Have you MEMchecked these two new sticks?

I haven't tried the memcheck yet, but will run it tonight, thanks. I had Vista x64 installed until last week, when I downgraded trying to fix the infamous display fail/restart issue. If the memcheck comes back OK, I will probably wait until I find the cause of the display issue until I go back to x64. Thanks for the suggestions. I wasn't quite sure if there was something else that needed to be done after the sticks were installed to get Vista to pick them up.

Confession: I also didn't realize the computer was in sleep mode when I replaced the memory sticks. That was a happy few minutes, rebooting and praying nothing got fried. heh.