2x8 DDR3 in Single channel, 8gb of it is "Hardware Reserved" & 7.94gb (Usable) Help me fix please

[rynz101]

I built a 2nd computer out of my extra parts after upgrading to ryzen.
I put together a FX8350 on a GA-990FX-Gaming Rev. 1 with 2x8gb, 16gb, 1600. Installed in slots: A1, B1.
Manual says recommended configuration for duel channel is slots A2, B2 but it doesn't really matter because I've ran both configurations with no issues but after rebuilding this computer and installing windows 7 pro 64bit, mobo drivers and everything else the system needs, I now have this issue I have never had before...

Bios detects 16gb memory @ 1600mhz. Windows 7 puts half of it in this "Hardware Reserved" thing and I get the remaining 7.96Gb (Usable). Cpu-Z says I have 16Gb running in single channel.

I tried to google this and all I see is lots of similar problems and some others identical to my own but every one is just tossing out theories and experimental ideas and none of that stuff seems to have helped anyone really.
It's like the issue is common and no one knows how to fix it.

I have looked in msconfig on the advanced settings on the boot tab. That's not it.
I have tried both sticks by them selves and they each work fine.
I have tried the other two slots and its the same issue.
Bios doesn't really say anything about what channel they are running in but it detects both sticks and says 16gb is installed.
I noticed the memory voltage was running around 1.40v so I set it to 1.50v, that's the rated voltage.

One thread said lowering the speed to 1333mhz may fix the issue. Something about the memory controller not being able to handle the memory speed? I ran that memory at 1720mhz for over a year and its rated for 1600mhz and I did it at 1.48v and its rated for 1.5v

One thread said he rolled his HT Link and NB frequency back a tick and that fixed it. Sounds like nonsense...

One thread said he had a bad partition, deleted it, formatted and recreated the partition and re-installed windows and that fixed it. Do i really have to do that? I don't wanna do that! there has to be a better way...

Its dumb. the bios says i have all my memory. windows says I have 16gb installed and half of it is usable and hardware reserved. it's there, why can't I use it? It should be in duel channel but its not... I dont get it. im stumped.

 

[boju]

Youre cluey person with a bizarre problem, youll probably get experimental suggestions yourself. But you might get lucky and somone who knows whats really going on comes along.

For now ill throw some experimentals

Remove all memory from dimms and clear cmos. If the mobo has a clear cmos function, use that instead of removing battery.

Once done, put memory in correct slots.

 

[Vic 40]

I would try A2+B2,up the dram voltage to 1.65V which is still safe and see if that helps.

 

[rynz101]

Youre cluey person with a bizarre problem, youll probably get experimental suggestions yourself. But you might get lucky and somone who knows whats really going on comes along.

For now ill throw some experimentals

Remove all memory from dimms and clear cmos. If the mobo has a clear cmos function, use that instead of removing battery.

Once done, put memory in correct slots.

You know... In all my trys, moving sticks around, poking around in odd windows settings and checking things out in the bios - I never once reset my CMOS.
When I was putting the computer together I reset the CMOS to wipe my over clock since I was going to be installing the processors factory heatsink. I guess because I had already reset my bios, it never really crossed my mind to wipe it again.
I cleared my CMOS and started my machine with 1 stick in the manuals "recommended" slot. I got all 8gb. ok sweet. So I installed the 2nd stick in the other recommended slot and windows finally let me have my 16gb of memory! Thanks for the idea. I have never heard of the bios not registering memory correctly before. I figured since memory is so finicky it would either work, be noticeably unstable or just not work at all. But nope! So THANK YOU

 

[boju]

Your welcome. If you're interested to know bit more about cmos/bios, some light reading here, https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-establish-the-difference-between-CMOS-and-BIOS

Looks like cmos on your motherboard just had the wrong info stored and was happy to retain it even if wrong (stubborn), clearing it allowed for new system data to be entered.