The motherboard now only supports reading 2GB of DDR3 RAM.
The motherboard now only supports reading 2GB of DDR3 RAM.
This is actually kinda long story, it happens 2 days ago...
So my friend asked me to check his SSD to my PC, which is normal, i've been using this PC for many years, no issue, normal, daily and gaming, normal. And then i agreed, take his SSD, remove my SSD first, and then plug his SSD, and then his SSD missing OS, so he asked me to install Windows 10, alright, i install it for him, setup > loading > Done, no problem, easy task, job done.
After that, i remove his SSD, and then i plug my SSD again, and i know my BIOS Boot priorities will be kinda messed up, so i open BIOS to set my SSD to #1 Priorities, but something usually aren't there, there's... "Windows Boot Manager" on my Hard Drive Priorities List, i never see this WBM in my entire life using this PC, my PC suddenly have it, usually only 5 of my Hard Drive, and 1 of my SSD, that's it.
Alright, i think that's okay, i put my SSD to #1 Priorities and #2 is WBM, i think it will be gone after i going to desktop, but no... My PC boot to WBM and showing 2 Windows 7, ask me to choose which one should i pick, both of them lead me to and error, i re-do the Priorities thingy, still didn't work, and then i disabled the WBM, suddenly my PC didn't detect any OS from my SSD. It ask me to install new OS, i don't want to install new OS, i still have important files in there!
I still don't know how to fix it, so i use ChatGPT to ask for assistance, and then it lead me to remove CMOS and leave it, the next day i plugged in the CMOS again, it stuck, can't boot, it's on but nothing showing on the monitor, i remove all the components, GPU, RAM, SSD, HDD, and then i decided to use only 1 of my RAM, it's on! i backup all my files, this and that. I turn my PC off, i want to use all of my RAM again, plugged in like usual, but sadly it stuck again, power on, nothing showing, why? I thought the RAM is dead, so i test all of my RAM one by one
-2x 2GB DDR3
-1x 4GB DDR3
-1x 8GB DDR3
All of them 12800U, and my motherboard is Biostar TZ75B.
The result is I can only use 1x 2GB RAM, the rest will make the PC Stuck at number 32 (Digital-Like Clock below the Motherboard).
i test all of the slots using the working RAM, and still working, but using 2x 2GB or 1x 4GB or 1x 8GB will result stuck 32.
This stuck 32 will be like: Power On > 32 > d0 > Power Off > Power On > 32 (Stuck here).
Alright, i think the rest of the RAM is dead, and i ask my friend to use his PC to test the dead ram, guess what?! IT WORKS!! i was like "WTH? it works here, but make my PC stuck? i've using these 3 piece RAM for many years, but suddenly make my PC stuck?! But Works on your PC?!"
What's happening, i swear i had no idea what's going on with my PC, today i write this i'm still using 2GB RAM that working on test.
My PC:
3770
16GB
1060 3GB
1 SSD
5 HDD
My PC details:
3770
16GB
1060 3GB
1 SSD
5 HDD
When sharing a troubleshooting thread, it's standard to provide your complete system specifications. Please format them as follows:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
Please include the age of the PSU along with its make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this time.
"Windows Boot Manager" appears on my Hard Drive Priorities List; I've never seen this WBM before using this PC. My system suddenly has it, usually only a few of my HDDs and one SSD.
If you're using Windows 10 or later, the Windows Boot Manager will show up in Boot Device Priorities/Manager within BIOS for any motherboard.
I believe that's acceptable. I've placed my SSD at #1 Priorities and #2 is WBM.
Windows Boot Manager should be listed first.
It might be helpful to remove all drives from your system except the one currently running the OS and check if that resolves the issue.
Since the SSD is missing its OS, I was advised to install Windows 10.
I have some bad news: the installation you did was unnecessary. You should install the OS on the same platform where the drive will be installed. Transferring an OS drive to another system will likely cause more problems or result in issues like grey hair or hair loss.
-2x 2GB DDR3
-1x 4GB DDR3
-1x 8GB DDR3
Trying to mix and match often causes complications. Also, check if your motherboard requires a BIOS update; your problem might stem from an OS corruption. Do you see 16GB of RAM in BIOS? Try clearing the CMOS to see if that helps.
CPU: i7-3770
CPU cooler: PCCooler R400 ARGB
Motherboard: Biostar TZ75B ATX
Memory: 16GB DDR3 (2x 2GB, 1x 4GB, 1x8GB) 12800U
Storage: 1x RX7 500GB SSD, 2x 1TB WD Blue, 3x 2TB Seagate
GPU: ZOTAC 1060 3GB AMP Edition
Power supply: Cooler Master 450 MWE
Case: ThermalTake (unknown specifications, secondhand)
Operating system: Latest Update Windows 10 (always enabled auto-update)
Display: Acer 22
If you're using Windows 10 or newer, the Boot Device Priorities/Manager appears in BIOS for any motherboard.
No, I've used this system for many years and never encountered WBM in BIOS—usually it boots directly to my SSD RX7 512GB, with nothing else.
Windows Boot Manager should be listed first.
Yes, because the current method is to set WBM #1 Priorities in BIOS.
It might help to clear all drives from your system except the one running the OS and see if that resolves the issue.
I do this to verify whether my PC can boot correctly, and it works now, but I still can't access all RAM.
I have some concerning news: the installation you did was unnecessary. You should install the OS on the same platform where the drive is installed. Transferring an OS drive elsewhere will only cause more problems or side effects.
Sorry, I don’t understand what that means.
Mixing and matching can often cause issues.
No, this PC has handled it well for many years without any problems until just two days ago. I don’t even modify the RAM overclock settings—I keep them at default.
Adding to that, check if your motherboard needs a BIOS update. Your problem might stem from an OS corruption rather than a BIOS issue.
ChatGPT also advises this: your BIOS version is up-to-date.
Clearing CMOS can be helpful too.
Yes, before this happens, all my RAMs are recognized in BIOS—checking speed, size, and clock. I’ve cleared CMOS several times without any results.
So here’s the situation: my PC is running normally but I’m unable to use all of my RAM. I’m sharing the full story.
When setting up Windows on a PC, it's recommended to keep the drive connected within the same machine. During installation, Windows will automatically apply the appropriate drivers for the motherboard, processor, graphics card, etc. If you transfer the drive to another computer, the hardware may differ, and Windows could struggle with the new setup.
Putting a 4GB and an 8GB DIMM together isn't advisable, even if it functioned previously. For better stability, it's best to install matching pairs—such as two 4GB sticks or two 8GB sticks. Trying to combine them in separate slots (like 4GB + 8GB) is likely to cause issues.
Additionally, if the RAM modules aren't placed correctly—say, mixing 2GB and 8GB in different slots—the BIOS might fail to recognize the system and prevent booting.
If you're unsure about any of these points, simply accept that mixing different RAM sizes isn't a good approach.
Check your motherboard manual for the recommended default DIMM slots (usually A2 and B2). Install the 2GB modules in those slots only. Avoid fitting the larger sticks together. If you need more memory, consider buying two matched 4GB DIMMs or two matched 8GB DIMMs.
Windows Boot Manager serves as the entry point for UEFI booting. Older boot options include the drive model name. It's important to confirm whether your PC uses legacy mode or UEFI mode. To access legacy boot, you must turn on the CSM module in BIOS. You mentioned having Windows 10 installed, not Windows 7. This suggests the wrong bootloader is being used. If several drives are involved, the correct bootloader might be on a different drive than the Windows OS drive. Please note this is one of the most confusing issues I've encountered. LOL. Avoid depending solely on ChatGPT for computer troubleshooting.
I'm sorry, but this is one of the worst things. LOL
Don't depend too much on ChatGPT when fixing computer issues.
Yeah, I didn't rely heavily on it—I was in high school with a focus on IT, so I wasn't that dependent. Still, I don't know what to do, but ChatGPT suggested checking the BIOS settings and adjusting them. That's all I could do, at least I had a clue about the BIOS.
I was checking for any slot, RAM, or components, but everything seemed fine. Instead, I noticed the motherboard is showing age. It can boot now with all the RAM connected, though only 12GB are usable. I don’t understand why, but it works at least. The RAMs are detected in BIOS, all of them, but only 12GB available out of 16GB. At least it’s running, so maybe it’s time to upgrade or switch to a new motherboard for now.
I'm assuming the setup limits the BIOS to using only half of the 8GB DIMM when paired with the smaller 4GB one.
If the first valid pair uses 2GB and another 2GB, that gives 4GB, plus a second fake pair of DIMMs adding 4GB more (only 4GB usable from the 8GB).
True pair 1: 4GB
Pseudo pair 2: 8GB
Total: 12GB
I would like to test the system thoroughly by booting from MemTest86 and running a full scan over several hours. If any RAM fails, it could lead to data loss.
https://robots.net/tech/what-causes-ram-to-fail/
It's curious how much of ChatGPT's claims about computers comes from mixing different forum opinions into one summary (LLM).
I'm a traditionalist and haven't used ChatGPT or CoPilot, among other tools.