problem: 3.2GB RAM usable out of 8GB!!

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  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #1

    problem: 3.2GB RAM usable out of 8GB!!


    Well, this seems to be a common problem. Before answering please read well this thread.

    I Have Windows 7 Professional x64 with 8GB installed (2x4GB DDR3 Kingston). I installed the windows with the 8GB from the start. Windows recognizes 8GB installed but only 3.2GB usable.

    In the Resource Monitor 4.9GB are "Hardware Reserved". I have a nVidia GTS450 graphic card, but the nvidia control Panel "System Information" shows that it uses 1GB from the card framebuffer and 1.4 GB shared system memory.

    The M/B supports 8GB

    I didn't find any memory remap option on the BIOS, but it clearly detects 8GB (the BIOS).

    I tried checking (and unchecking) the "Maximum memory" option in the msconfig > Advanced Options. When i chek it it automatically appears "8192" (8GB?), but when i reboot and check again it appears "0" (which means auto??). Nothing happens at all.

    Further PC specifications:

    MSI H55M-E21 M/B (socket 1156)
    Intel i5-760
    nVidia GTS450
    2x4GB DDR3 Kingston (PC3 - 10600 CL9 240 - Pin DIMM)

    See the images below

    Any Ideas?

    P.S: please dont tell me to check if my OS is 64 bit. It is
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails problem: 3.2GB RAM usable out of 8GB!!-propiedades.jpg   problem: 3.2GB RAM usable out of 8GB!!-resource-monitor.jpg   problem: 3.2GB RAM usable out of 8GB!!-system-information.jpg   problem: 3.2GB RAM usable out of 8GB!!-tgrafica.jpg  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #2

    UN-check Max memory so itr will auto sense.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    i did uncheck it... nothing happened
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 199
    Debian Squeeze Stable 64-bit
       #4

    Why use that motherboard with the CPU? The H55 is a cheapo chipset where you'd use the onboard graphics of a supported CPU . . . . try taking out one RAM module and see what happens.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6,879
    Win 7 Ultimate x64
       #5

    This is primarily dealing with the x58 chipset but can apply to pretty much any Intel chipset,

    Asus X58 + 6/12GB memory overclocking - detecting less memory than installed - i4memory.com - different look at memory

    Is this a recent build? If not has the full 8 GB ever been fully available? If not #8 from that link might be the cause. If you check would be a good idea to pull the heatsink and CPU and check the pins in the socket and see if any of them are bent, seen quite a few reports elsewhere where a bent pin or two can cause the memory to act like yours is (if the bent pins don't render the whole issue inoperative).
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    it is a recent build... i don't think #8 is the cause... i reinstalled the heatsink... but no changes

    i removed the ram from slot 2.... result: 3.2GB usable out of 4

    changed the memory stick..... result: the same

    put then the second stick on the second slot.... result: back to "normal": 3.2GB usable out of 8...

    conclussion: the memory sticks seems to be OK.

    i also checked the socket pins... it looks like they're ok too...

    nothing changed
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 199
    Debian Squeeze Stable 64-bit
       #7

    Try an Ubuntu live CD. Does it still happen? Or is all RAM usable?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,259
    W7 Professional x64
       #8

    As you can see, 5 GB of memory is "hardware reserved" which is usually due to the motherboard allotting it for graphics. Your motherboard might simply be confused or have it allotted still. I will check on some ways to fix this.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 201
    Windows 8 Pro
       #9

    I have mine unchecked and its showing 2MB H/R
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,259
    W7 Professional x64
       #10

    So far my research is putting the blame on a BIOS setting or update. Memory remapping in BIOS (or something similar) could fix the problem by unchecking that option. The other option is to look into BIOS updates and see if this issue is mentioned in any updates after your BIOS release.
      My Computer


 
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