Solved 6 GB RAM (4 GB usable)

[Clyde54]

I have win64 installed on a system with 6 GB RAM. But when I click on Computer Properties, it says only 4 GB of the RAM are usable. I understand that 32 bit windows only recognizes 4 GB of RAM but in a 64 bit system why would the extra 2 GB not be usable?

 

[LiquidSnak]

1. Click Start, type msconfig in the Search programs and files box, and then click msconfig in the Programs list.
2. In the System Configuration window, click Advanced options on the Boot tab.
3. Click to clear the Maximum memory check box, and then click OK.
4. Restart the computer.

See if that clears things up.

By the way, your system specifications are incredibly unhelpful.

 

[Clyde54]

The Maximum memory box was unchecked. When I checked it 6144 popped into the window. I re-booted and went back to this window and it said 2048. What is going on here?

btw I filled in my system specs

 

[LiquidSnak]

make sure the box is still unchecked.

If that did not fix the issue, check to see if your settings in BIOS are correct, or maybe your bios is outdated.

 

[sandeep108]

Or it is likely that one or more of your memory modules is bad. I would suggest run a memtest on it. I had a similar issue and after replacing the memory modules, all is fine.

 

[Orbital Shark]

What graphics card do you have and does it use 'shared' memory? If so then the 2GB could be used/reserved for GFX usage. You can normally change the setting in the BIOS.


OS

 

[brianzion]

hi every one
i use this good program to check the ram PassMark RAMMon - Identify RAM type, speed & memory timings
if you hit the windows key and r and type resmon you can see what windows has allocated to ram
also check your bios setings and make sure the ram is seated proper with the *click sound*

 

[unifex]

I have recently added 2 GB to my RAM. I did not know whether the DIMMs that I bought would be recognized by the system, so the only way was to try. In the end it went well, but the first attempt was unsuccessful.

Here's what should be happening: first and foremost, the memory should be recognized by the BIOS. Therefore, restart your computer and enter BIOS. See how much memory is reported there. If you see all 6 GB, then you can proceed with the above advice of how to make Windows to recognize the memory. But if the BIOS does not see it, then you should check the DIMMs individually, and if they are OK, then proceed with a BIOS update, if one is available or check with the manufacturer on the overall memory limit imposed by the motherboard and/or BIOS.

 

[Zeplash]

I would not recommend any bios update activity..You HAVE to know what your doing there.. Trust me!!!

 

[brianzion]

windows 7 should allocate the ram auto if the ram is seated properly after reboot check this> windows key + r type resmon then enter and see whats allocated.
In msconifg (windows key + r type misconfig press enter) In the System Configuration window, click Advanced options on the Boot tab the box in Maximum memory should be empty so windows can allocate the max ram , and then click OK.
Restart the computer.

 

[LiquidSnak]

I would not recommend any bios update activity..You HAVE to know what your doing there.. Trust me!!!

I suggest outdated bios as three of the revisions from the first release pertain to memory

 

[brianzion]

I would not recommend any bios update activity..You HAVE to know what your doing there.. Trust me!!!

I suggest outdated bios as three of the revisions from the first release pertain to memory

its important to update your bios most manufactures make it easy now in days gone by you always *flashed it *
just always check your system at the website is there a tutorial on this in the forums?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I would try taking the first two sticks out and place the new stick in the number one slot and see if the system see's it. If so then add the other two and report back to us.

 

[MacGyvr]

Guys, if his system says he has 6GB as he states it does, then it IS seeing it. Something is using or reserving 2GB. If he is not using the latest BIOS, he definitely needs to update it. And FYI, a BIOS is always flashed...it's on a chip and that is the only way to update it.

 

[Clyde54]

I checked my BIOS and it say 4096 MB are installed so that is definitely wrong. I also downloaded the RAMMon program and it seems to be saying 6 GB are installed but only 4 are available. Why are 2 GB hardware reserved? What does that mean? See printscreen.

So I should update my BIOS? The machine is only 3 months old but I guess I can check on that.

 

[brianzion]

I checked my BIOS and it say 4096 MB are installed so that is definitely wrong. I also downloaded the RAMMon program and it seems to be saying 6 GB are installed but only 4 are available. Why are 2 GB hardware reserved? What does that mean? See printscreen.

So I should update my BIOS? The machine is only 3 months old but I guess I can check on that.

2050 MB is reserved for hardware ( graphic card?) have you checked in msconfig? that the maximum memory box is unticked?
press windows key + r
in box type msconfig
press OK
click boot
click advanced options
boot advanced options window opens on desktop
make sure maximum memory is UNTICKICKED
click OK
click OK in msconfig window
if a window pops up asking for RESTART CLICK YES

 

[brianzion]

you are using 3 sticks of ram G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM how do you have these seated in the slots?

please reed this (about memory mapping )

The usable memory may be less than the installed memory on Windows 7-based computers

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978610/en-us

To view the installed memory and the usable memory in Windows 7, follow these steps:
Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.
View the Installed memory (RAM) value under System.
For example, if it displays 4.00 GB (3.5 GB usable), this means that you have 3.5 GB of usable memory out of 4 GB of installed memory.

 

[unifex]

I checked my BIOS and it say 4096 MB are installed

I think that's the point. If Windows or any other software sees the remaining 2 GB, then most likely the motherboard is capable of supporting 6 GB of memory, but the BIOS software is not. I recommend checking with the manufacturer if any BIOS updates are available. Also you may check with a forum specific for your manufacturer if it is indeed the BIOS that's limiting your memory.

As an example, I have Dell Inspiron 530 and the manual says 4 GB is the maximum amount of memory. However, Dell users forums are full of suggestions that after a certain BIOS update one can use up to 8 GB. So I went ahead and tried and indeed it works, now I'm using 6 GB. However, I do have the updated BIOS.

 

[brianzion]

I checked my BIOS and it say 4096 MB are installed

I think that's the point. If Windows or any other software sees the remaining 2 GB, then most likely the motherboard is capable of supporting 6 GB of memory, but the BIOS software is not. I recommend checking with the manufacturer if any BIOS updates are available. Also you may check with a forum specific for your manufacturer if it is indeed the BIOS that's limiting your memory.

As an example, I have Dell Inspiron 530 and the manual says 4 GB is the maximum amount of memory. However, Dell users forums are full of suggestions that after a certain BIOS update one can use up to 8 GB. So I went ahead and tried and indeed it works, now I'm using 6 GB. However, I do have the updated BIOS.

check the memory mapping in the bios (not all bios are the same for each machine it is normally in the advanced features) and check the memory settings in msconfig

 

[unifex]

check the memory mapping in the bios (not all bios are the same for each machine it is normally in the advanced features)

Exactly, not all BIOS are the same. Mine for instance DOES NOT have any options related to the memory mapping. This is simply not there. That's why it was important for me to get the BIOS update. Can't speak for the OP, though.