I have 512MB RAM on a no-name Athlon system running Windows 2000. The BIOS sees and reports all of the memory when the computer boots. Periodically, after the system has been up for a couple of days or more, I will notice a lot of paging when switching tasks. I look at memory utilization in Task Manager and see to my surprise that Windows thinks only 256MB RAM is installed.

When I reboot the system, via either the shutdown or the reset switch, Windows continues to think there is only 256MB. Only when I use the power switch, does the full complement of memory become available again.

Is this just a random motherboard glitch? Windows bug? TIA for any help.

Marc

If there are multiple RAM modules, then are they from the same manufacturer? If not, then that can cause problems.
Also, installing modules with the memory chips on only one side of one module and on both sides of another module can cause problems.

It the above is N/A, then make sure that only default settings are used for the memory in BIOS.

If that's ok, then remove the memory, and check for oxidation on the contacts.
If some exists, then clean it off with 91% purity(or higher) alcohol.

If that does not help or the contacts are ok, then reseat the memory.

If no luck, then install the memory in different slots.

If still no luck, then test the memory with Memtest-86:
http://www.memtest86.com/

Thanks for detailing the process. Btw, where does one get sure pure alcohol?

Marc

You're welcome.

Btw, where does one get sure pure alcohol?
At a drugstore.

I once had a single stick of RAM (256MB) that spontaneously lost contact with one of its banks. Sometimes I would boot up with only 128MB of RAM, and sometimes it would be the full 256MB. But if it booted up with 256MB, Windows would crash after about 10 minutes when half of the expected memory suddenly disappeared! :eek: :p

When I got it fixed (had to RMA the stick of RAM), the whole thing was quite amusing, but at the time it was quite frustrating!

By the way, props to Crucial for replacing the bad RAM no questions asked.