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Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

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Latest post 11/21/2009 05:31 PM by nTomy. 39 replies.
 
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Joined on 11/03/2009
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Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

I'm having this problem with my XPS where Windows 7 System information reports 4.00 GB installed but 1.99 GB usable.  However, when I check in my BIOS system information it reports that I only have 2048MB/2GB installed and available.  I am running on 64 bit Windows 7 Home Premium upgraded from Windows Vista Home Premium. 

Since Windows 7 reports 4GB installed, does that mean I'm capable of using all 4GB even though the BIOS only shows 2GB installed and Windows 7 says only 1.99GB is usable or not?

Does anyone else have this problem?  Has anyone had and resolved this problem?

 

Thanks to whoever can help me with this.

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39 Replies:

Joined on 11/30/2001
Posts: 21
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

I'm having the same problem with an xps 8000 8.00 GB (3.99 GB usable)

Any solutions?

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Joined on 11/03/2009
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

I've found nothing yet.  I've seen only a few postings with people having this problem and there haven't been any helpful ideas as how to remedy the problem.

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Joined on 11/04/2009
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

I've got the same problem but tech support have been unable to resolve so far :-(

 

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Joined on 11/04/2009
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

Tech support told me it's a BIOS issue.

Apparently it need a memory re-mapping feature which isn't present.

So, come on DELL sort it out!

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Joined on 11/30/2001
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

Just called technical support, she had me move memory around to different slots.  She then determined the board was bad they are going to replace it.

Does memory need to be in slot 1 and 2 to recognize slots 3 and 4?

Hope this fixes it.

 

Bob

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Joined on 11/04/2009
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

Hi Bob,

I dont think thats going to work.

I tried the memory in all valid slot combinations to prove the memory and slots were good.

I even went 1 step further and bought new Corsair memory but still no luck.

I dont believe its a mainboard problem because Windows wouldn't be able to see it if it were.

The problem is, I believe, in the BIOS.

Sean

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Joined on 11/30/2001
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

Sean,

When we where troublehooting the problem and no memory in slots 1 and 2 (furthest from CPU) and memory chip in slots 3 and 4 the computer just beeped when powered on.

did you have this result?

Bob

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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

Hi Bob,

My results were as follows:

When using slots 3 & 4 with 2GB DDR3 memory modules it won’t boot and just beeps.

When using slots 1 & 2 with 2GB DDR3 memory modules I get 2057MB hardware reserved and 2039MB in use or available.

When using slots 1 & 3 using with 2GB DDR3 memory modules I get 9MB reserved and 4087MB in use or available (not a valid combination but, strangely it works, which disproves the theory about 1 pair of slots not working).

When using 1 & 3 and 4 & 2 with 2GB DDR3 memory modules I get 4105MB hardware reserved and 4087 MB in use or available (total 8192MB).

Sean

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Joined on 11/04/2009
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

A few pictures to illustrate the problem.

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Joined on 11/26/2005
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

Seem my update at http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19302317.aspx .

MB replacement didn't resolve the issue.

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Joined on 11/30/2001
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

Just had my motherboard replaced. All 8gb are now recognized.

 

 

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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

Zbob:

Just had my motherboard replaced. All 8gb are now recognized.

 

How much of your RAM is usable?

Sean

 

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Joined on 10/21/2009
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

Just on the phone to tech support now who are trying to tell me this is a feature?!?

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Joined on 11/30/2001
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Re: Dell Studio XPS 8000 - 4GB Installed BIOS shows 2GB - 64 Bit Windows 7

All of it s usable see below:

 

 

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