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    M17 added 8gb memory shows 4gb issue

    Discussion in 'Alienware Area-51/Aurora and Legacy Systems' started by KGWilder, Apr 12, 2011.

  1. KGWilder

    KGWilder Newbie

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    I have a M17 not X though can anyone please help me with a memory issue I put Crucial kit with 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Laptop Memory Model CT2KIT51264BC1067, but is only is showing 4gb's I have Windows 7 ultimate 64bit OS I do run a couple of programs in 32bit like 3Ds Max or Maya I ran a windows performance assesment still shows the same any help would be appreciated thanks
     
    KGWilder, Apr 12, 2011
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  2. Juanderful

    Juanderful Notebook Consultant

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    Could be a few things,

    if you've already played with the settings in BIOS, you can try debugging the RAM sticks by swapping each out and trying them individually. Perhaps one of the sticks of RAM is bad, as they often times are.
     
    Juanderful, Apr 12, 2011
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  3. hosuke

    hosuke Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would do first have a look at the bios to make sure that the new ram configuration is well recognized...
    If the bios does not recognize the ram it could be needed to update it.
    Also it could be that one of the modules is not properly installed and therefore the bios doesn't see it. Try re-seat both modules.
    Finally, very unlikely, it could be that one of the modules is just dead, to discover this you should try to just place one module in the first socket, then check that the bios does recognize it.
    Shutdown, remove 1st module, put 2nd module in same bank, check bios for recognition...
    Do the same on the second bank.
    This way you will know for sure if a) one of the modules is faulty and b) if any of the memory bankc/sockets is faulty.
     
    hosuke, Apr 12, 2011
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  4. txdk

    txdk Notebook Enthusiast

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    it might be impossible for you to use more then 4 Gb if the motherboard cant use more then 4 Gb
     
    txdk, Apr 12, 2011
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  5. custom90gt

    custom90gt Doc Mod Super Moderator

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    I did some digging around and the m17 should support 8gb of ram.
    Do exactly as hosuke suggested and that will tell you what's going on, exactly what I was going to suggest.
     
    custom90gt, Apr 12, 2011
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  6. ZOG Paradox

    ZOG Paradox Notebook Evangelist

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    It SHOULD support up to 16GB(maybe more) of RAM... If we are talking about the R3...
     
    ZOG Paradox, Apr 12, 2011
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  7. txdk

    txdk Notebook Enthusiast

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    as he wrote he had a M17 and not a M17x i think he has the generation before the M17x R1 and i dont think that chipset supports more then 4 Gb of ram
     
    txdk, Apr 12, 2011
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  8. ZOG Paradox

    ZOG Paradox Notebook Evangelist

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    Ohhhh, good eye.. :)
     
    ZOG Paradox, Apr 12, 2011
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  9. granyte

    granyte ATI+AMD -> DAAMIT

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    i can ashure you that the m17 no x can run 8 gb of ram

    how ever is suspect you ethier have a faulty stick or are runing a bios prior to .27 or b13 depending if you have the ocz or alienware one
     
    granyte, Apr 12, 2011
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  10. custom90gt

    custom90gt Doc Mod Super Moderator

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    The chipset used in the Alienware (Flextronic is the ODM) is a PM45 which according to intel supports 8GB.
     
    custom90gt, Apr 12, 2011
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  11. granyte

    granyte ATI+AMD -> DAAMIT

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    i'm runing 8gb in mine but the suport as added in the lastes bioses
     
    granyte, Apr 12, 2011
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  12. custom90gt

    custom90gt Doc Mod Super Moderator

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    lastes bioses[/QUOTE]

    Yep, thats why I was hoping the OP would follow Houskey's advice (the first thing being update the bios). This is what I believe will fix the issue.
     
    custom90gt, Apr 12, 2011
    #12