4 GB of Physical Memory but 1.74 GB Usable

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  1. Posts : 7,683
    Windows 10 Pro
       #21

    carwiz said:
    I'm aware of the "old" definition of hardware reserved but perhaps you've forgotten about EFI/UEFI and how it can run outside of the OS and use the RAM for anything it wants to.
    I'm sorry but where does it say he has a UEFI BIOS? - HP Pavilion dv6-3160us Entertainment Notebook PC Product Specifications HP Pavilion dv6-3160us Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

    deepeyes said:
    So I called the guy up who had actually done the work on my computer. He stated that he had not done anything with the memory except do a routine diagnostic on it. He stated that the amount of paging that my system has allocated to it could be a problem. He stated that I could set the paging to what I felt the computer would need.

    Do you guys think that would work?
    Not sure, but what is your page file set at anyway?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 37
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #22

    Not sure, but what is your page file set at anyway?[/QUOTE]

    It is set as allowing the system to manage it. It recommends 2600 MB of memory for paging with a minimum of 16 MB.

    Can I do a control print screen on my BIOS screen? Or am I actually going to have to take a picture of it?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 37
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #23

    [/QUOTE]
    You're right but I don't think this includes the BIOS "hardware reserved" memory. It's sitting at over 2GB.

    Without seeing the BIOS settings or finding any documentation, it's going to be tough finding it.

    Perhaps the OP could photograph the BIOS screens? [/QUOTE]

    According to the article that was posted, Hardware reserved does NOT allow any other program or operations to take that RAM. I guess you would consider it not to be shared. So that means if I've got over 2 GB of RAM being used up, the all I'm effectively left with to run all my other programs is around the 1.74 GB.
    I have seen other HP pavilions and those people do not even have any RAM hardware reserved. That is sort of where I'm wanting to get to.
    Of course that may not be a viable option.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,781
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit
       #24

    I have an idea...I don't know if I'm completely off track with it, though.

    I noticed that your CPU-Z screenshot says your memory runs in dual channel, unganged mode. I didn't know what unganged meant so I googled about it, and apparently ganged means memory is accessed via a single 128-bit path whereas unganged means two 64-bit paths.

    Your Phenom CPU apparently has two separate memory controllers on-board so the unganged definition makes sense - meaning, each controller manages one 2GB stick of memory.

    My own laptop has 3GB of RAM but 256MB is reserved for the onboard video, so 2.75GB is usable. Your laptop behaves just as if it only had 2GB of actual RAM, from which the onboard video again takes the top 256MB, leaving 1.75GB usable.

    What if, for some bizarre reason, either Windows or the onboard video or even the BIOS get confused by the unganged mode and reserve the top of your first 2GB while ignoring the second 2GB?

    Like I said, it's just an idea and I don't know if this really means anything...but maybe someone else can take it from here.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,161
    Windows 7 Pro-x64
       #25

    You can't use the print-screen key in the BIOS. That's a function of the Windows driver now and it ain't loaded yet.

    You don't need to have EFI from the manufacturer for someone to take advantage of the process. And the article pertains to Windows memory. At boot time, there is NO Windows. The Hardware Reserved memory is set by the BIOS and reported to Windows when it starts. Until Windows starts, all the RAM in your machine is under the control of the BIOS and any shell extensions loaded by the BIOS. Windows has noting to do with the RAM at this point. The BIOS will determine how much memory will be offered to Windows, not the other way around.

    And that just sparked a thought. Just for grins: remove your battery, open your memory cover and check to see how many modules are installed. If two, make sure they are the exact same make and model. While you're there, remove the button cell too and leave it out for about a minute or two. This will reset CMOS memory and force the BIOS to re-evaluate your hardware and memory on the next boot. Re-install your main battery then boot. Check to see what is reported to Windows then.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,161
    Windows 7 Pro-x64
       #26

    Corazon hit on a good point while I was typing. Try the CMOS reset and see what happens.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 37
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #27

    Will try this.
    By button cell you mean the battery that is there?

    Yes both sticks of memory are the same Samsung original factory installed.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4,161
    Windows 7 Pro-x64
       #28

    Yes, the "button cell" is usually under the same cover as your memory modules. Shutdown and Remove your main battery first, then the button cell.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 37
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #29

    Tried it. Everything was reset like clock and everything.
    Still showing 1.74 GB.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 4,161
    Windows 7 Pro-x64
       #30

    I think Corazon hit on something then. The problem is what, if any, option in the BIOS controls the memory bank controllers. Run your CPU-Z again for the memory but display Slot #2. (Use the drop-down menu next to the Slot.) I could only find where you displayed Slot #1.
      My Computer


 
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