8GB Installed But Only Using 3.96GB (4GB Hardware Reserved Ram)

[greenfire999]

I have been researching this topic for a few hours trying to figure out why it is so difficult to fix this. I have been running into the issue of my computer running out of memory during skype chats and gameplays. So upon researching why, I noticed that my computer is only using 3.96GB out of 8GB with 4GB in Hardware Reservation.

I've tried going to msconfig and ticking/unticking the Maximum Memory section then restarting.
Swapping the Ram Cards in different locations according to the Motherboards manual.
Changing different settings on the BIOS

But still no luck, I am not sure if I am able to disable Video Memory on my motherboard due to it not having a section for it.

I'm currently running on:

Windows 8.1 Pro
FX990 UD3 v3 (MB)
FX 8320 (CPU)
2GB AMD R7 260X (GPU)
4GBx2 Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB Kit (RAM)
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006WAGGUK/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

 

[noidea_77]

Try the stick one by one, because on of them is dead. If the board starts with both sticks, run memtest86 to identify the bad stick

 

[greenfire999]

Try the stick one by one, because on of them is dead. If the board starts with both sticks, run memtest86 to identify the bad stick

That sucks... Only one card started the PC. I'm guessing that's a sign for a new Ram Stick? Is there any way I can bring it back to life?

 

[unksol]

Did you try them both in the first slot? not in their current ones? If so then one is clearly damage.

Pretty much all RAM has lifetime warranties. RMA the bad stick

 

[greenfire999]

Did you try them both in the first slot? not in their current ones? If so then one is clearly damage.

Pretty much all RAM has lifetime warranties. RMA the bad stick

Okay, well that's a plus. Is there a way to prevent this from occurring again?

 

[noidea_77]

Did you try them both in the first slot? not in their current ones? If so then one is clearly damage.

Pretty much all RAM has lifetime warranties. RMA the bad stick

Okay, well that's a plus. Is there a way to prevent this from occurring again?

Not really. That happens from time to time. I got two set with one dead stick in the past. The only way around it is to buy ecc server ram that has been tested before shipping it to you, but that's expensive.

 

[Zombiefighter57]

Are you running a 32 bit operating system or a 64 bit operating system?

 

[Alex_61]

I had the same problem. here's what i did to fix it.
1: Only put one ram in and test out all four slots. On mine only two worked.
2: i put the rams in the two working slots.
3: i got all 8 gbs
then i found out that the other 2 slots that were "not working" was actually was working instead it was just being used as a reserved memory slot. i found out because i had another 4 gb ram laying around and i plugged it in the the slots that were not being used and when i turned my pc back on it said i had 7.9 gb used and 4.1 gb in reserved. so i think some slots are used for reserved and some are used to actually be used.

 

[Datasegment]

I have answered on another thread- sometimes mismatched modules can cause this issue. It's not the mobo, it's the memory itself. If you lower your NB and/or HT speeds slightly you will find the memory suddenly becomes useable. Slight loss of bus speed for more memory, and usually a step from single to dual channel bonded. Worth it in my book. You just moved from autobaan to motorway, but doubled the width of the road