strange occurrence

[screwballl]

Ok I never noticed this before but for some reason my Biostar Tforce 6100-939 board will not recognize memory properly.
I have 3 sticks of memory, all 3 are good and tested thoroughly. 2x 256MB PC3200 (same brand) and 1x 512MB PC3200, both off brands. When the system starts up, the BIOS only sees 512MB or 768MB depending on configuration, never sees the full 1GB. If I use the 2x 256 sticks, it doesn't matter what configuration I use, it always sees the full 512MB. As soon as I add the 512MB stick in the mix does it get strange. If I have the 512 stick in slot 3 or 4, and the 256's in any other slots (1+2, 1+3, 1+4, 2+4, 2+3 with the 512 in slot 3 or 4 not occupied by a 256), it always sees 768. If I have slot 3+4 taken by the 2x 256 then no matter which of the first 2 has the 512 stick, it still only sees 512MB total. I've tested the memory and the board and everything else but for some reason it will just not see the full amount. This is the BIOS with the latest version.
Windows Vista (Beta) and linux both show the same info that the BIOS does.

So why would this board not recognize the full amount? I have the sticks in the slots prefered according to the manual..

[Panda Man]

I'm too tired to put alot of thought in this, I may be wrong, but make sure dual channel mode is disabled in the BIOS to ensure it isn't trying to force dual channel or something. Also, just to make sure, you have tested the 512MB stick by itself, right?

[screwballl]

I have tested each stick by themselves, 2 at a time, 3 at a time, in another machine, they all check out fine.

[PrOLifIC_onE]

According to your manual, your MB will only accept 1, 2 or 4 cards at a time, not 3.

If you put in one card, put it in DIMMA1 or DIMMA2.

For 2 cards, put them in DIMMA1 and DIMMA2.

For 4 cards, put them in All 4 slots. Like previously mentioned check the Dual Channel settings. If you are in a Dual Channel mode, then you will have to put the identical ones in corresponding slots (usually slots of the same color). By "identical" I mean that you actually purchased 2 identical pieces of ram that were sold specifically as "dual channel" otherwise you must disable the dual channel setting.

I think what you are calling slots 3 and 4 are actually DIMMA2 and DIMMA1 (the 2 slots furthest from the processor).

Hope that helps.

From your manual:

[screwballl]

ok so I am the dummy that read the manual wrong.. thanks Prolific!

[PrOLifIC_onE]

Oh no, you're no dummy. I'm willing to bet than everyone overlooks something in the manual frequently...thats just how things go. We have all done it. :help:

After many computer builds I have discovered that there are little kinks more often than not. It is rare to have a complete new build where everything goes perfect. :egg:

Just ask One4Yu2c how easy it is to overlook something simple in the manual.

[screwballl]

I have NEVER run into any system in my 15 years of dealing with them where it had 4 slots and would not take 3 sticks.. oh well guess theres always a first.
Thanks again!