Windows 7: 4 GB of Physical Memory but 1.74 GB Usable

Here ya go

You're too fast. I found your slot-2--I was looking at the wrong pics.

Well, I would say it's BIOS option time. You'll have to look through the menus and find something that resembles System and/or Configuration. Look for Memory Options or something similar.

Forgot to mention: There could be menu extensions too. These could be just a line that says Advanced.

Yes, this is basically true. For whatever reason somthing is telling your system to reserved 2gig of memory for hardware use. And that memory can't be use for anything other that what it's allocated to.... whatever that is.

Are you sure you've checked msconfig to make sure the max memory box isn't checked?

Just FYI - I did an experiment playing with this box and these are the results.....

Without the Maximum memory box checked.....



WIth the Maximum memory box checked.....



If the box is un-ticked then it's probably a BIOS or motherboard issue. In this case either a BIOS update is required, or a BIOS adjustment may be needed.

Also make sure the Number of processors box isn't checked either.

You might have to give HP a call and ask them what's going on. Don't let them BS you though as again, you should not have that much memory reserved.

I'm still searching for a better answer though. Will let you know.

I found a BIOS reference to Ganged/Unganged memory, if your processor supports it.:

Chipset > Northbridge Configuration > Memory Configuration > DCT Ungangned Mode=?
It wasn't clear what options were available but "AUTO" seemed to be for Unganged mode (split controllers). AMD's logic on this seems to be bass-ackwards. Appearently, they like to bury things deep in menus too.

I would look in that area and see what other "Memory" options are available.

Also, what is the video "aperture" size set to? No telling where you'll find that.

Good point too Sygnus21. What happens if you check max memory box and set it to 4096?

I actually tried that but for some reason those settings wouldn't stick. Anyway I wasn't about to hose my system so I left well enough alone

As for the OP's issue - I suggest he call HP instead of just arbitrarily messing about in the BIOS. And seeing that this is a laptop with an MD chip I can't offer anymore suggestions than what I've offered as I know nothing about how AMD motherboards, or processors.

Anyway there is definitely something wrong with that much memory being reserved.
However I am curious as to what’s switchable GPU memory?

Is there a switch or button that enables you to change the amount of memory used by the GPU? If so has the OP played around with the switch to see if the reserved memory decreases?

I don't understand all I know about switchable GPU memory. The way I get it is that it's "shared" between the integrated graphics chipset and a discrete graphics card. The switching is automatic by graphics demand. It's supposed to be a way to lower power requirements when the demand for graphics is low. When the demand increases, the discrete graphics card takes over and GPU memory is copied to RAM to feed the display(s) connected via the integrated graphics.

Yes agreed. But 1 graphics card at 1Gb and a bit for mapped hard drives and motherboard can easily get you to 1.6Gb which would be normal. If there where 2 graphics cards,just for physX say one at 0.5Gb, then the memory allocated would be in that order of size.
OK there is 4GB in a 32 bit system. I maintain what I said before.
It's normal, not a problem, don't try and fix it.

No - over 2GB of unusable memory is NOT normal, especially for a 64-bit Windows.

The onboard video in my own laptop can use up to 1407MB of the system's RAM but only when needed (and Windows still has first dibs on that RAM). The amount that's truly reserved and cordoned off for the video from the start is only 256MB. I would expect a similar scenario to apply to the OP's system.

It could be that cyclic is correct. Just went back and double checked and that laptop only supports up to 8 GB. Makes me wonder if it isn't running into this,

The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed

which would/should only happen on an AMD system when the max amount of memory is installed, and for whatever reason the motherboard/computer manufacturer limits it in the bios as well. Wouldn't be the first time I have seen HP computers with unexplainable/stupid restrictions in the bios.

There is one quick way to check if that is what it is. deepeyes I assume when you got it it has 2x2 GB sticks in it and you replaced those with 2x4 GB sticks. If that is the ase try running it with 1x2 and 1x4, and see if the 6 GB total is available.

@carwiz, ganged and unganged is essentially,

Ganged - the memory controller configured to run dual channel through a single 128 bit bus.

Unganged - each channel runs on a 64 bit bus

Most benchmarks have shown that it is better to have it set to unganged over ganged, at least on AMD systems.