Help with a computer issue

[DCM]

Right, kids computer keeps freezing regular, been having a look, and Windows Vista keeps reporting the wrong amount of memory, over calculating by at least 200%. I have tried three memory sticks, all have similar issue's.

Now, is it a corrupt Vista instal, or a mobo faulty?

MSI K8MM3-V
AMD Sempron 2800+

[rowanp25]

does the memory show up as the right amount in the bios? if so id probably hazard a guess at a dodgy install. im not that farmiliar with windows anymore but it may also be possible to set a memory lock on the system to limit vista to use just the amount of memory you have

[DCM]

in the Bios memory check at POST, it registers correctly, unfortunately, the MSI BIOS isn't particularly helpful.

[Whiskers]

Try disabling the page file or reduce it to about 500MB.

[rowanp25]

that could be an idea if vistas confusing virtual memory and actual ram if theres more than 2 gig ram id disable virtual memory on all drives aswell as disable indexing (only really effects desktop search and can improve boot time)

[DCM]

I did have two sticks of 512 in there, tried all combinations of the three I got here, got one 512 of Kingston in there as Vista only see's it as 1gb, at one point, vista reported 8gb on one stick.

[rowanp25]

ive seen reports of win 7 betas having issues like that but not on vista....... did this occur after a fresh install/update what service pack are you using?

[Smurfster]

remove all sticks, try booting, check to see what the O/S says is available. if it`s over reading then it`s a dodgy install, if it reads that there isn`t any memory (there may be some on board memory for basic bios functions ,16MB normally) then check the mother board specs, check the ECC on the memory sticks, ECC (Error Checking Code) can throw up all sorts of problem if you fit ECC memory sticks to a non ECC enabled motherboard. hope this helps. Smurf

[DCM]

Originally Posted by rowanp25

ive seen reports of win 7 betas having issues like that but not on vista....... did this occur after a fresh install/update what service pack are you using?

Install is about a year old, and it is fully up to date.

[DCM]

Originally Posted by Smurfster

remove all sticks, try booting, check to see what the O/S says is available. if it`s over reading then it`s a dodgy install, if it reads that there isn`t any memory (there may be some on board memory for basic bios functions ,16MB normally) then check the mother board specs, check the ECC on the memory sticks, ECC (Error Checking Code) can throw up all sorts of problem if you fit ECC memory sticks to a non ECC enabled motherboard. hope this helps. Smurf

I shall try that tomorrow, as I don't want to go down the route of a new board if I can help it, and DDR memory is pretty cheap these days.