Solved 4 GB of Physical Memory but 1.74 GB Usable

[sygnus21]

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)

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?

 

[deepeyes]

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?

 

[deepeyes]

[/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.

 

[Corazon]

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.

 

[carwiz]

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.

 

[carwiz]

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

 

[deepeyes]

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.

 

[carwiz]

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.

 

[deepeyes]

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

 

[carwiz]

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.

 

[deepeyes]

Here ya go

 

[carwiz]

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.

 

[sygnus21]

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.

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.

 

[carwiz]

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.

 

[carwiz]

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

 

[sygnus21]

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?

 

[carwiz]

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.

 

[cyclic]

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.

 

[Corazon]

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.

 

[stormy13]

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.