win7 64 not recognising all RAM in laptop

hi all

I've been searching the forums for a solution to this and I don't know what to do:

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
System Model HP ENVY 17 Notebook PC
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q 720 @ 1.60GHz, 1600 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Hewlett-Packard F.1D, 07/04/2011
SMBIOS Version 2.6
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32


so according to the MOBO spec, I could have 8Gb ram
I bought 2x 4GB Corsair memory
I have made sure that the memory chips are seated correctly
BIOS detects that there is 8GB of RAM installed
here is the system report on the RAM:


Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 3.93 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.22 GB


basically my system is detecting but not using one of the RAM chips
I don't have a setting in BIOS to map memory
I can't get to the motherboard to adjust any jumper/ voltage settings
CPU-Z shows both chips installed and working
I am running windows 64bit
been into MSCONFIG and maximum memory is unchecked

..and this is where all my efforts have now run out. so I don't get it. 8Gb installed, 4Gb available ? what do you think - dodgy RAM chip?

any ideas?


Paul

Hi Paul,

I would have to agree with you and say that it is a dodgy RAM stick. Take one out, and turn the computer on. Do the same thing with the other stick. That should be able to tell you which one is faulty.

Hope this helps,
Jaidyn

Hi all

just a thought. the windows system diagnostic is msinfo32
it lives in the System32 folder
so - if it's a 32 bit app, won't it only detect a maximum usable memory of 4Gb?

Paul.

Search dxdiag and see what that tells you. Also right click Computer in your Start Menu and click on Properties.

You can also press the Windows key and the pause/break key to get to the system screen. Under system type you can confirm its a 64-bit version of windows 7 and right above that it will list your installed RAM.
A better option may be to launch the resource monitor > start menu > All programs > accessories, and have alook under the Memory tab for detailed info.

Maybe your board supports 8GB in a 4x2GB configuration? Many slots support a max of 2GB.

Britton30 said:

Maybe your board supports 8GB in a 4x2GB configuration? Many slots support a max of 2GB.

Click to expand...

Nope, it supports up to 16GB as far as I can tell.