Hardware Reserved taking too much RAM!

[joelstitch]

So I got a HP G62-224HE with 3GB of RAM. It runs really slow and I couldn't figure out why. I went to Control Panel > System and it says :

Installed memory (RAM): 3.00 GB (763 MB usable)

And if i go to Resource Monitor it shows:

Hardware Reserved: 2310 MB
In Use: 602 MB
Modified: 1 MB
Standby: 161 MB
Free: 0 MB

How can I take RAM out of the Hardware Reserved?

My computer specs:

Product Name G62-224HE Product Number WQ848UA#ABA Microprocessor 2.1GHz VISION Technology from AMD with AMD Athlon II Dual-Core Processor for Notebook PCs P320 Microprocessor Cache 1MB L2 Cache Memory 3GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM) Memory Max 8GB Video Graphics ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 Graphics Video Memory Up to 1405MB Hard Drive 320GB (7200RPM) Multimedia Drive LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support Display 15.6" diagonal High-Definition HP BrightView LED Display (1366 x 768) Network Card Integrated 10/100 Ethernet LAN Wireless Connectivity

• 802.11b/g/n WLAN

Sound

• Altec Lansing speakers

Keyboard 101-key compatible keyboard with One touch launch keys Pointing Device Touch Pad with integrated On/Off button and 2-way scroll pad support External Ports

• 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
• 3 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0
• 1 HDMI
• 1 VGA (15-pin)
• 1 RJ -45 (LAN)
• 1 Headphone-out
• 1 Microphone-in

Other Devices

• HP Webcam with integrated microphone

Dimensions 14.72"(W)x 9.70"(D)x 1.25"(min H)/1.44"(max H) Weight 5.50 lbs Security

• Kensington MicroSaver lock slot
• Power-on password
• Accepts 3rd party security lock devices

Power

• 65W AC Adapter
• 6-Cell 47WHr Lithium-Ion Battery

Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate

 

[solarmystic]

Usually when there's a lot of RAM being hardware reserved it could mean that there are some misbehaving device drivers on your system that are gobbling up that RAM on boot-up..

To confirm this phenomenon could you download RAMMAP (RAMMap), run it and check the section of use counts, specifically Driver Locked? Try to take note of the sections that have high totals.. It'd be even better if you could take a screenshot of the application on the usecounts page to give a clearer view of where your RAM is going to in detail from the application..

Hope that helps!

 

[joelstitch]

Usually when there's a lot of RAM being hardware reserved it could mean that there are some misbehaving device drivers on your system that are gobbling up that RAM on boot-up..

To confirm this phenomenon could you download RAMMAP (RAMMap), run it and check the section of use counts, specifically Driver Locked? Try to take note of the sections that have high totals.. It'd be even better if you could take a screenshot of the application on the usecounts page to give a clearer view of where your RAM is going to in detail from the application..

Hope that helps!

Driver Locked says: 1,028 K

I removed the RAM cards and switch them around and now on Control Panel > System It says :

Installed memory (RAM): 3.00 GB (1.74 GB usable)

 

[solarmystic]

Hmmm... looking at your your use counts i notice that The totals on the page(over 1.75 GB,which indicate the total RAM employed on the system) don't quite match up to the RAM windows reports as available to your system (which is 763MB)

Can i get a snapshot of performance tab of your task manager to confirm something further?

 

[joelstitch]

Hmmm... looking at your your use counts i notice that The totals on the page(over 1.75 GB,which indicate the total RAM employed on the system) don't quite match up to the RAM windows reports as available to your system (which is 763MB)

Can i get a snapshot of performance tab of your task manager to confirm something further?

I removed the RAM cards and switch them around and now on Control Panel > System It says :

Installed memory (RAM): 3.00 GB (1.74 GB usable)

 

[solarmystic]

Oh sorry, i didn't notice that statement....

I read up on your specs again, and i noticed you have an integrated graphics card on your system... it could be the culprit for gulping down that RAM.. do you have an option in your BIOS to set the amount of RAM allocated to your Graphics Card?

 

[joelstitch]

i didnt see any.

 

[solarmystic]

Hmm as a last resort, can you try just putting in one stick of RAM and leaving one out?

You've mentioned you've tried reseating the RAM and gained a GB from that....

E.g. putting in the 2GB stick and leaving out the 1GB stick....

Sorry if it seems like we're on a goose chase here, but i'm just trying to exclude all possibilities...

 

[joelstitch]

When i leave the 2gb card in it says the usable RAM is 1.74 GB:

2.00 GB (1.74 GB usable)

 

[solarmystic]

Bingo... we've solved your problem.. it seems like the other stick of RAM is faulty... and only 1.74 GB is usable because your integrated graphics card takes up the ~250 odd MB from your available RAM....

You should probably get a replacement stick for your 1 GB stick... preferably get another 2 GB stick of the same specs so that you can run your system in dual channel mode for added (4-5%) performance...

If you want to be sure that it's the ram's fault you can use MemTest x86+ (www.memtest86.com) and leave it running to allow it to check the ram for errors but it'll take ages...

EDIT: You are using Windows 7 64 bit right? If you have the money get 8 GBs ( 4 x 2 sticks) to cap out your RAM, since your laptop supports it according to this website (http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/HP+-+Compaq-memory/HP+G6xx+Series/HP+G62-224HE-upgrades.html)

 

[joelstitch]

thats sad to hear but thanks for the help. I will look on ebay for cards.

 

[solarmystic]

Glad to have been of service!

 

[joelstitch]

Bingo... we've solved your problem.. it seems like the other stick of RAM is faulty... and only 1.74 GB is usable because your integrated graphics card takes up the ~250 odd MB from your available RAM....

You should probably get a replacement stick for your 1 GB stick... preferably get another 2 GB stick of the same specs so that you can run your system in dual channel mode for added (4-5%) performance...

If you want to be sure that it's the ram's fault you can use MemTest x86+ (www.memtest86.com) and leave it running to allow it to check the ram for errors but it'll take ages...

EDIT: You are using Windows 7 64 bit right? If you have the money get 8 GBs ( 4 x 2 sticks) to cap out your RAM, since your laptop supports it according to this website (Computer memory upgrades for HP - Compaq HP G62-224HE Laptop/Notebook from Crucial.com)

I might save the money for that. Thanks for the help!

 

[gregrocker]

Test your RAM with memtest for 5-6 passes or overnight following the steps in this tutorial to test both RAM sticks and slots: RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Check for debris in slots which also must be tested.

 

[karlsnooks]

Easy way to know where you ram is going:
WIN | type RESMON | ENTER | Memory tab
WIN = key with Microsoft logo on top.