Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

[genegold]

GA-MA790X-UD4P (rev. 1.0), F9 BIOS - Win 7/XP dual boot system on different HDDs.
RAM= 2x2mb and 2x1mb matched pairs, each pair installed in adjacent slots

I recently added the 2x1mb sticks when I installed Win 7 on a new HD (SSD). Today, I noticed in Win 7 Task Mgr that Total Memory is 3326mb, as if this were XP. Then I checked SIW (System Info for Windows) and it gave the Warning and readings showing in the attached screenshot (not showing in screenshot are Slots 1 & 2 = 1024mb each, Slots 3 & 4 the = 2048mb). But in both CPU-Z and PC Wizard the installed memory shows as 6144mb. How do I make sense of this - and any adjustments, if necessary? Thanks,

[artdrivers]

Re: Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

Are you sure that the Windows 7 you installed is 64 bit version? It looks to me like you may have installed the x86 or 32 bit version which will not read all that memory. If you click start then right click the computer tab drop down to properties click on properties and the next window should show if you installed Windows 7 32bit or 64bit.

[genegold]

Re: Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

Boy, do I feel like a fool. I thought the limit was XP vs. Win 7, not 32 vs. 64 bit. I have the 64-bit upgrade version, but assumed that since I had been running XP's 32 bit version, and would be keeping XP on the computer (another HDD) until things got settled in with Win 7, I should stick with that. Was sticking with 32 bit unnecessary? The board is the GA-MA790X-UD4P (rev. 1.0), BIOS v. F9, and CPU is the AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition (unlocked). Thanks,

[artdrivers]

Re: Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

32bit OS misread memory issue? That is a simple misunderstanding. We have seen that misunderstanding often enough to mention it.

Was sticking with 32 bit unnecessary

? Yes For full use of the memory. You may want to run Windows 7 setup and switch to 64bit if you have it.
(unlocked) black edition (unlocked) is the multiplier is unlocked and is offered on all black editions. It will allow the user to enter bios and change the cpu multiplier which on a AMD Phenom II X3 720 in auto is 200Mhz X 14 = 2.8GHZ. You can manualy change the X14 to X15, x16, X17, X18 and even more with a good cooling system. 200 X18 = 3.6GHZ which is a good overclock.

[genegold]

Re: Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

Is the 64bit edition a totally start over new install, or can it be done over the top of the 32 bit?

Only some of that X3 BE's production could be unlocked successfully to X4. I was one of the lucky ones. I've never overclocked before and don't play games, so didn't go beyond a couple of tweaks to the BIOS' MIT to unlock it. Where in there are the multipliers set? I did and may still have a utility for overclocking on my XP drive, but can't find it right now. My case has a back and front side fans, as well as an open raised grill above the CPU's fan. Nothing special, but it's been running pretty cool so far.

[artdrivers]

Re: Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

Only some of that X3 BE's production could be unlocked successfully to X4

Repair Install - Windows 7
I have done this it will save a file called windows old on your new C drive. Then you can get what you need from it.

[genegold]

Re: Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

Thanks for your advice. Actually, with this CPU model some 4th cores were reportedly too damaged in production and some AMD just shut off to make X3s. I have one of the latter and the process of getting the fourth is commonly referred to online as "unlocking," and distinguished from overclocking per se, even by experts. A search will find plenty of sources about that.

As for the repair install, as I recall from having done this with XP before installing Win 7, this has to be done with the 32-bit disk, before proceeding onto the 64 bit install. Right?

[Acebmxer]

Re: Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

The only way you can switch from 32 bit os to a 64 bit os, is you have to format the drive and reinstall using the 64bit os.

[genegold]

Re: Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

Acebmxr, so your (indirect, oblique) reply is to do the repair install with the 32-bit version?

[Acebmxer]

Re: Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

Yes. As far as I am aware of you can not boot a winx 32bit os (x= flavor of windows) off a windows 64 bit disc and run a repair to switch to a 64 bit os. There is not easy switch.I know Artdrivers said

You may want to run Windows 7 setup and switch to 64bit if you have it.

The only way to switch from 32bit os to a 64 bit is to reformat and reinstall using the correct "bit" versionsorry if it seemed out of place I just wanted to make sure everyone was clear. If there is a way to switch from one to the other I would like to know.

[artdrivers]

Re: Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

okay
What black edition means is an unlocked multiplier. What you are referring to by "unlocked" is setting the advanced clock calibration to auto in BIOS. This will enable the cores that were disabled by AMD.
The best information on how to install a 64bit version of Windows 7 on a 32bit version of windows
Installing and reinstalling Windows 7

Using the Custom installation option without formatting the hard disk
If you've backed up your data files and then restored them after installing Windows 7, you can delete the Windows.old folder

Repair Install - Windows 7

[genegold]

Re: Memory: "Wrong Value reported by BIOS"

The only way you can switch from 32 bit os to a 64 bit os, is you have to format the drive and reinstall using the 64bit os.

This is wrong, and so apparently is artdrivers info about using Custom. I cloned the drive, and then without any reformatting installed Win 7 successfully using the standard new installation choice (not Custom). It was even more successful than I had hoped for, as I chose I: drive and it ended up being labeld as C:, solving a small problem. In any case, the install recognzied what was there, made a windows.old folder and left everything else on the drive except the contents of Users and Program Files, the latter being handled differently in the 64-bit version. So yes, apps had to be reinstalled but a lot of other folders were left. And that helped things go very quickly (several hours vs. a few days switching over from XP). Thanks.

You're not wrong about the common usage of "unlocking," it's just that with *this* specific model CPU it's also being widely used online to refer to getting the fourth core into operation.