Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

[shovenose]

This desktop originally came in with a single 4GB stick. I replaced it with four 2GB sticks... Yet it doesn't seem to be recognizing all of it. in Windows, it shows 8.00GB (3.96GB usable) and I don't understand why. Crucial's website confirms this computer supports 16GB of RAM. I've tried two different sets of RAM sticks (four one sided and four two sided) with no difference. Latest BIOS version. Any input suggested - Thanks!

[R_J]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

I take it you are using a 64 bit version of windows? is the onboard video using any of that memory? If you check Google there seems to be a lot of of this problem, but also many answers that may or may not work.

[shovenose]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

Are you running 64 bit version of windows? is the onboard video using any of that memory?

Yep, it's a 64bit Windows 7 Pro and I am not using the onboard video - I'm using a PCI-Express video card.

[ChaosLegionnaire]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

ok. there might be a bios setting called pci memory remap feature, memory over 4gb remapping or some such that enables or disables the remapping of overlapped pci memory above the 4gb boundary or total memory or some such. u must enable this feature when using a 64 bit os. do not mix this up with the memory hole setting which is a different thing altogether. hope that helps...

if it still wont work or os wont boot after enabling that feature. reinstall the os. lol~ damn windoze...

[rhomanski]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

My last computer did that. Had to buy the most expensive version of windows to get it to recognize all my memory. Couldn't get any tricks to work. Seemed as if they did it on purpose to me.

[stj]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

try a linux live disk - 64bit obviously.
that will tell you if it's a hardware problem or a software one.

[shovenose]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

try a linux live disk - 64bit obviously.
that will tell you if it's a hardware problem or a software one.

Seems like a good thing to try. I will do this and report back.

ok. there might be a bios setting called pci memory remap feature, memory over 4gb remapping or some such that enables or disables the remapping of overlapped pci memory above the 4gb boundary or total memory or some such. u must enable this feature when using a 64 bit os. do not mix this up with the memory hole setting which is a different thing altogether. hope that helps...

if it still wont work or os wont boot after enabling that feature. reinstall the os. lol~ damn windoze...

Nope, it's a Dell - none of these options.

My last computer did that. Had to buy the most expensive version of windows to get it to recognize all my memory. Couldn't get any tricks to work. Seemed as if they did it on purpose to me.

7 Pro supports like 128GB or some number like that of RAM. I don't think 8GB will be pe a problem.

[Compgeke]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

I have a T1500 here (with Xeon X3440) and it supports 8 gigs fine. I second trying a Linux disk to see if that sees all the ram.

[ChaosLegionnaire]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

7 Pro supports like 128GB or some number like that of RAM. I don't think 8GB will be pe a problem.

yes that is right.

64 bit win 7 home basic has a limit of 8gb.
64 bit win 7 home premium has a limit of 16gb.
64 bit win 7 pro, enterprise, ultimate has a limit of 192gb.

this is the source of this info from ms direct.

[ratdude747]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

http://en.community.dell.com/support...524/t/19492200

Follow the advice there (the RAM slots have to be populted in sequence if you're not using all of them among other thngs)...

[Topcat]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

http://en.community.dell.com/support...524/t/19492200

Follow the advice there (the RAM slots have to be populted in sequence if you're not using all of them among other thngs)...

The precision 470/670 was very fickle about this as well.

[ratdude747]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

The precision 470/670 was very fickle about this as well.

Dell Precisions in general are like that. Tyan and Supermicro for the win.

[Topcat]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

Dell Precisions in general are like that. Tyan and Supermicro for the win.

With the 470/670, it was more the chipset, the 7525 even in the SM variation was a little fickle, but nowhere near as pissy as the dell versions with their useless BIOS's, especially if using 2-rank DIMM's.

[Compgeke]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

T1500 isn't actually a real Precision. It's actually a Vostro 430 with a different model label in BIOS and different faceplate. If you can force the BIOS to error from a stuck key or whatnot it actually still says Vostro 430 there.

[shovenose]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

I tried just doing 2x 4GB in another T1500 and it worked fine.

Can I flash Vostro 430 BIOS?

[blasterboomer]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

try going on msconfig and making sure the memory isnt set to 4096mb it should be at 0 or the box should be unticked

[blasterboomer]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

msconfig.exe > boot > advanced options > maximum memory.

make sure the box is unticked

[shovenose]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

msconfig.exe > boot > advanced options > maximum memory.

make sure the box is unticked

Nope... it was just the wrong configuration of sticks. I hate OEMs :'(

[teengoat]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

Compgeke, how did you get a x3440 to boot in a T1500? Latest BIOS? Or something else?

Thanks.

[Compgeke]

Re: Dell Precision T1500 8GB RAM, only 4GB usable

I actually didn't do anything special - I actually didn't realize until now it wasn't a factory option. Anyways, I never had to do anything BIOS wise, it just worked right away with (reported in) BIOS 2.4.0. I assume it's the latest BIOS, would never hurt to update. Factory chip on my board was an i7 940 and the X3440 came from a Z200 however that wouldn't make a difference.

Here's an imgur album with a few "screenshots" of the BIOS, shows it working. For reference, the "Vostro 430" there is a Dell bug - T1500 and Vostro 430 share the same motherboard and I guess Dell forgot to change that instance. http://imgur.com/a/Jz1Uz