Missing Ram, hot CPU & Vista problems
Discussion
Hi all,
I just put together a PC and have encountered a few problems which is driving me crazy.
Apologies in adavance if some of the questions appear to be stupid. It's the first PC I've put together.
PC only sees 3GB and not 4GB of Ram
I have 4GB of DDR2 Ram (4 modules). I've tested out the models by putting the pairs in separatly and they show 2GB when installed.
But when I have all 4 modules plugged in, system only shows 2.93GB ram. This is on both XP home and Vista ultimate. Bios shows 3.08 GB.
Is this normal? why does'nt it show the full 4GB of RAM??
PC running hot
I expecteded the QX6700 to run hot, but I don't know which temp to believe in. The BIOS shows it running at 72F, whilst the Asus board software (PC Probe II) shows aropund 32F. Motherboard temps are similar on both.
So the CPU is either about to catch fire or it's gone skiing!!!
Vista problems
I installed Vista and got the following problems:
- It won't let me use the 1680 x 1050 screen res. Works fine on XP
- I have Vista ultimate, but it won't let me use Aero
I have an Asus 768Meg GTX graphics card so graphics power should'nt be a problem..
So far I've installed Vista ultimate (32bit) 4 times. Everytime I've had problems running it. Constant crashing with blue screens. Everytime i tried to view a picture it would crash. on the 4th installation the graphics software could'nt recognise the graphics card and left me with the lowest display resolution possible. Also can't find a suitable driver for my BT modem!!!
Whilst Vista looks nice, I would'nt recommend anyone get it.
I've just now installed XP pro and it's runing with no problems whatsoever. I'll be keeping XP for at least another year or so. Until I'm more confident in Vista. At the momentt it was a waste of £90. Good thing it was the OEM version!!!
Spec of the PC is as follows (Used for video editing):
Intel QX6700
ASUS Commando i965 Mobo
4GB crucila Ram
1000W Enermax PSU
768MEG ASUS 8800GTX
750GB Seagate HDD
Got another 500GB HDD I'll be using as the system drive.
Also got an antec P180 case. Load of rubbish. the Enermax PSU would'nt fit. Ebded up using my old case.
Thanks
I just put together a PC and have encountered a few problems which is driving me crazy.
Apologies in adavance if some of the questions appear to be stupid. It's the first PC I've put together.
PC only sees 3GB and not 4GB of Ram
I have 4GB of DDR2 Ram (4 modules). I've tested out the models by putting the pairs in separatly and they show 2GB when installed.
But when I have all 4 modules plugged in, system only shows 2.93GB ram. This is on both XP home and Vista ultimate. Bios shows 3.08 GB.
Is this normal? why does'nt it show the full 4GB of RAM??
PC running hot
I expecteded the QX6700 to run hot, but I don't know which temp to believe in. The BIOS shows it running at 72F, whilst the Asus board software (PC Probe II) shows aropund 32F. Motherboard temps are similar on both.
So the CPU is either about to catch fire or it's gone skiing!!!
Vista problems
I installed Vista and got the following problems:
- It won't let me use the 1680 x 1050 screen res. Works fine on XP
- I have Vista ultimate, but it won't let me use Aero
I have an Asus 768Meg GTX graphics card so graphics power should'nt be a problem..
So far I've installed Vista ultimate (32bit) 4 times. Everytime I've had problems running it. Constant crashing with blue screens. Everytime i tried to view a picture it would crash. on the 4th installation the graphics software could'nt recognise the graphics card and left me with the lowest display resolution possible. Also can't find a suitable driver for my BT modem!!!
Whilst Vista looks nice, I would'nt recommend anyone get it.
I've just now installed XP pro and it's runing with no problems whatsoever. I'll be keeping XP for at least another year or so. Until I'm more confident in Vista. At the momentt it was a waste of £90. Good thing it was the OEM version!!!
Spec of the PC is as follows (Used for video editing):
Intel QX6700
ASUS Commando i965 Mobo
4GB crucila Ram
1000W Enermax PSU
768MEG ASUS 8800GTX
750GB Seagate HDD
Got another 500GB HDD I'll be using as the system drive.
Also got an antec P180 case. Load of rubbish. the Enermax PSU would'nt fit. Ebded up using my old case.
Thanks
angelis said:
PC only sees 3GB and not 4GB of Ram
Need to put Windows into PAE mode to see 4GB
www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEdrv.mspx
angelis said:
PC running hot
72°F is nothing (~22°C). Barely warm
angelis said:
Vista problems
- It won't let me use the 1680 x 1050 screen res. Works fine on XP
Either need a Vista driver for your monitor or a better one for your gfx card
Check that the board (should say in the manual) supports 4GB RAM - what does the BIOS say when you boot up with 4GB installed?
As for temprature, is it 32C? Download CoreTemp it'll show the temps of the individual cores
mine run about 22-24 @ idle and anything up to high 30's under load but i've only got a Core2Duo.
As for temprature, is it 32C? Download CoreTemp it'll show the temps of the individual cores
mine run about 22-24 @ idle and anything up to high 30's under load but i've only got a Core2Duo. Edited by mr_yogi on Friday 9th February 16:29
Sorry guys, got my temp mixed up.
It's C not F.
Don't suppose there's a 1 click facility anywhere as I did'nt understand anything on that page.
BIOS shows CPU at 66C to 72C at idle (150F)
MB is at 31C (87.5F)
Got a Zalman CNPS9700 coming tomorrow which hopefully will bring it down a bit.
www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/intelcooling/cnps9700
Downloaded a Vista driver for the gfx card. ASUS site is down and will try and get a driver for the monitor later. Wil test it all out again tomorrow.
BIOS shows I have 3008MB
No it's 66C plus.
Just downloaded it.
Core 1 = 49C
Core 2 = 47C
Core 3 = 42C
Core 4 = 42C
All at idle
Thanks for your help guys, it's very much appreciated.
It's C not F.
pdV6 said:
Need to put Windows into PAE mode to see 4GB
www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEdrv.msp
www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEdrv.msp
Don't suppose there's a 1 click facility anywhere as I did'nt understand anything on that page.
pdV6 said:
72°F is nothing (~22°C). Barely warm
BIOS shows CPU at 66C to 72C at idle (150F)
MB is at 31C (87.5F)
Got a Zalman CNPS9700 coming tomorrow which hopefully will bring it down a bit.
www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/intelcooling/cnps9700
pdV6 said:
Either need a Vista driver for your monitor or a better one for your gfx card
Downloaded a Vista driver for the gfx card. ASUS site is down and will try and get a driver for the monitor later. Wil test it all out again tomorrow.
mr_yogi said:
Check that the board (should say in the manual) supports 4GB RAM - what does the BIOS say when you boot up with 4GB installed?
BIOS shows I have 3008MB
mr_yogi said:
As for temprature, is it 32C?
No it's 66C plus.
mr_yogi said:
Download CoreTemp it'll show the temps of the individual cores mine run about 22-24 @ idle and anything up to high 30's under load but i've only got a Core2Duo.
mine run about 22-24 @ idle and anything up to high 30's under load but i've only got a Core2Duo. Just downloaded it.
Core 1 = 49C
Core 2 = 47C
Core 3 = 42C
Core 4 = 42C
All at idle
Thanks for your help guys, it's very much appreciated.
Edited by angelis on Friday 9th February 17:09
Memory
As above, try those.
Vista misbehaving
You were expecting differently?
But seriously, it sounds like drivers. Update the GFX and Monitor driver.
Heat
Check the cooler is working fine, make sure that their is good airflow and that a cable hasn't become detached from the loom and fouling the air flow. Also make sure the intake and exhaust fans are plugged in properly and doing the right thing (i.e. suck at front, blow at back, not both sucking/blowing).
As above, try those.
Vista misbehaving
You were expecting differently? But seriously, it sounds like drivers. Update the GFX and Monitor driver.
Heat
Check the cooler is working fine, make sure that their is good airflow and that a cable hasn't become detached from the loom and fouling the air flow. Also make sure the intake and exhaust fans are plugged in properly and doing the right thing (i.e. suck at front, blow at back, not both sucking/blowing).
Downloaded an updated driver from the Nvidia website. The Vista problems are all sorted. No blue screens and I can see Aero and the res display is perfect. Think I might keep it after all.
No cables in the way of the fans and I have the following fans working (120mm):
1 = CPU fan
2 = Fan on side of case blowing air onto the CPU (120mm)
3 = Rear fan sucking air out (120mm)
4 = Lower Front fan sucking air in. (120mm)
5 = PSU has a fan at the bottomm pushing air onto the CPU.
So that's 2 fans pushing air in and 1 pulling air out. (PSU fan is just pushing existing air).
No cables in the way of the fans and I have the following fans working (120mm):
1 = CPU fan
2 = Fan on side of case blowing air onto the CPU (120mm)
3 = Rear fan sucking air out (120mm)
4 = Lower Front fan sucking air in. (120mm)
5 = PSU has a fan at the bottomm pushing air onto the CPU.
So that's 2 fans pushing air in and 1 pulling air out. (PSU fan is just pushing existing air).
angelis said:
Downloaded an updated driver from the Nvidia website. The Vista problems are all sorted. No blue screens and I can see Aero and the res display is perfect. Think I might keep it after all.
No cables in the way of the fans and I have the following fans working (120mm):
1 = CPU fan
2 = Fan on side of case blowing air onto the CPU (120mm)
3 = Rear fan sucking air out (120mm)
4 = Lower Front fan sucking air in. (120mm)
5 = PSU has a fan at the bottomm pushing air onto the CPU.
So that's 2 fans pushing air in and 1 pulling air out. (PSU fan is just pushing existing air).
Ok. When you put the cooler on did you prepare it properly (remove packaging, film and such, add gunk if required)?
No cables in the way of the fans and I have the following fans working (120mm):
1 = CPU fan
2 = Fan on side of case blowing air onto the CPU (120mm)
3 = Rear fan sucking air out (120mm)
4 = Lower Front fan sucking air in. (120mm)
5 = PSU has a fan at the bottomm pushing air onto the CPU.
So that's 2 fans pushing air in and 1 pulling air out. (PSU fan is just pushing existing air).
Ok. When you put the cooler on did you prepare it properly (remove packaging, film and such, add gunk if required)?
ThePassenger said:
Ok. When you put the cooler on did you prepare it properly (remove packaging, film and such, add gunk if required)?
yes. i had trouble putting it on the first, so i re-installed the CPU fan again today using the paste.
I'll know for sure if tehre's a problem when I put the Zalman cooler on it.
And as for the memory, ASUS, they say:-
If you installed total 4GB memory, the system will detect less than 4GB of total memory because of address space allocation for other critical functions, such as:
- System BIOS (including motherboard, add-on cards, etc..)
- Motherboards resources
- Memory mapped I/O
- configuration for AGP/PCI-Ex/PCI
- Other memory allocations for PCI devices
Different onboard devices and different add-on cards (devices) will result of different total memory size.
e.g. more PCI cards installed will require more memory resources, resulting of less memory free for other uses.
On a SLI system, since PCI-Ex graphic cards will occupy around 256MB, another 256MB will be occupied after you install a 2nd PCI-Ex graphic card. Hence, 2.75GB memory left only if two SLI cards installed on A8N-SLI Premium while 3.0GB memory left with one graphic card without other add-on devices.
This limitation applies to most chipsets & Windows XP 32-bit version operating system.
If you install Windows XP 32-bit version operating system, we recommend that you install less than 3GB of total memory. If more than 3GB memory is required for your system, then below two conditions must be met:
1. The memory controller which supports memory swap functionality is used. The latest chipsets like Intel 975X, 955X, Nvidia NF4 SLI Intel Edition, Nvidia NF4 SLI X16, and AMD K8 CPU architecture can support the memory swap function.
2. Windows XP Pro X64 Ed. (64-bit) or other OS which can address more than 4GB memory.
You can check below URLs for reference:
ftp://dlsvr01.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/4GB_Rev1.pdf
www.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/sb/cs-016594.htm
If you installed total 4GB memory, the system will detect less than 4GB of total memory because of address space allocation for other critical functions, such as:
- System BIOS (including motherboard, add-on cards, etc..)
- Motherboards resources
- Memory mapped I/O
- configuration for AGP/PCI-Ex/PCI
- Other memory allocations for PCI devices
Different onboard devices and different add-on cards (devices) will result of different total memory size.
e.g. more PCI cards installed will require more memory resources, resulting of less memory free for other uses.
On a SLI system, since PCI-Ex graphic cards will occupy around 256MB, another 256MB will be occupied after you install a 2nd PCI-Ex graphic card. Hence, 2.75GB memory left only if two SLI cards installed on A8N-SLI Premium while 3.0GB memory left with one graphic card without other add-on devices.
This limitation applies to most chipsets & Windows XP 32-bit version operating system.
If you install Windows XP 32-bit version operating system, we recommend that you install less than 3GB of total memory. If more than 3GB memory is required for your system, then below two conditions must be met:
1. The memory controller which supports memory swap functionality is used. The latest chipsets like Intel 975X, 955X, Nvidia NF4 SLI Intel Edition, Nvidia NF4 SLI X16, and AMD K8 CPU architecture can support the memory swap function.
2. Windows XP Pro X64 Ed. (64-bit) or other OS which can address more than 4GB memory.
You can check below URLs for reference:
ftp://dlsvr01.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/4GB_Rev1.pdf
www.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/sb/cs-016594.htm
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