Strange RAM issue.

I have had 4GB of RAM in my PC for awhile. 2 sticks, 2GB each. (old RAM)

I bought a new set of the exact same RAM (2x 2GB sticks) to bring me to 8GB. (new RAM)

When I have the old RAM in the PC, it works fine. 4GB. When I take out the old RAM, and put in the new RAM, My Computer properties says "4.00 GB RAM installed, 1.99 GB usable". So I figured a stick was bad. But I tried both of the new sticks (one at a time) in combination with one of the old ones, and I get the exact same issue.

BTW, I am using the same DIMM slots for all tests, I know they work because when the old RAM is in, it reads fine. Could I be having some other issue?

 

After a lot of trial and error, including the original RAM not reading correctly, I updated the BIOS and it is reading 8GB now. Sorry for the post, but the thread can be closed. Thanks.

 

I just searched for an old thread addressing your issue so I am posting it anyway. http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=238210&highlight=memory+useable

I think it may have had to do with the PC reserving too much for hardware, maybe the idea of checking Resource Monitor will help someone searching the same issue.