Half of memory is not usable - Please help me understand where it is

pendraggon87 said:

Layback Bear said:

Go right above that colored bar you are looking at to processes and it will show you what and how much ram is being used for what. I don't use Ubuntu. You can use Windows 7 all by it's self to see a lot of things.

In Windows, it says 2GB hardware reserved. I cannot trace where that is in resource monitor or performance monitor. In Ubuntu, it ONLY registers that I have 2GB of RAM.

This is usually due to a faulty RAM configuration. Windows can see the RAM, but it can't use it.

Make absolutely sure the RAM you are using is actually compatible with your board.

If you are certain the RAM is compatible, and properly seated. Then you need to test with another RAM stick.

The fact that Ubuntu can not see the RAM at all tends to confirm the faulty configuration hypothesis.

There are quite a few things that can cause odd memory problems, but in view of the posts to date, this is almost certainly a faulty RAM configuration, or a defective RAM stick.

Regards....Mike Connor

Look at your "hardware reserved" section under Resource monitor. That is a hefty 4 GB chunk right there!!

....If Ubuntu gives you information you like I'm sure they have a web site. Many people here leave instruction of how to use Ubuntu to help with problems and we use them and say thank you. Or don't use them and say thank you, it's your computer you choose. To the best of my little pea brains knowledge their is no operating system that suites every body in every way. Work with us and we will work with you!!!!

And I respect that. I am not one of those microsoft haters . Granted I use Ubuntu as my main OS but I still run Windows 7 on VM. But I still think my linux does "more" for me than my windows could even imagine. :)

You are correct gpost3 it does seem like a lot for hardware. Could it be picking it up off the work group or something like that. I don't think that could happen. In use is only 1282mb. My hardware is only 770mb. To the OP. What kind of hardware do you have hooked to this computer. I surly don't know how 4gb +can be allocated to hardware. That's a lot of hardware. I would unplug one piece of hardware at a time and see what happens. I would also disconnect from any network and see what happens.

Layback Bear said:

You are correct gpost3 it does seem like a lot for hardware. Could it be picking it up off the work group or something like that. I don't think that could happen. In use is only 1282mb. My hardware is only 770mb. To the OP. What kind of hardware do you have hooked to this computer. I surly don't know how 4gb +can be allocated to hardware. That's a lot of hardware. I would unplug one piece of hardware at a time and see what happens. I would also disconnect from any network and see what happens.

The only hardware I have is the graphics card (ATI Radeon HD 5750, and according to tech support they shouldn't be using my RAM at all, and they blame all operating systems for allocating memory that way), two hard drives, a cd burner, a wireless usb adapter, and a usb wireless keyboard/mouse.

As far as I know, the installed RAM is compatible. Here is the RAM I have:

Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM

Newegg.com - G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNS

Quick sidebars - Why would my proc performance have tanked in the windows experience index? And what is the easiest way to clean thermal paste off of the CPU so I can remove the current heatsink and place a different one. I did have an offer from Intel to test it and RMA if something is really wrong, but then I will be without the use of that computer for some time.

The problem is the RAM configuration. The only way that much RAM is "Reserved" is if Windows can see it but can't use it.

This was also a recent problem with the same thing;

8gb Installed Ram - Only 3.74 Usable (HELP!)

also;

Hardware Reserved memory issue ...

Regards....Mike Connor

You need memory remapping...
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped...mory_remapping
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605