Hardware Reserved Ram 8GB!

[disease8]

I have just set up this new computer for video editing.
But for some reason I am getting this error where only half the ram is usable (12gb out of 20gb) I had only 16gb in there before and I could only use around 8gb of it.. I have been looking through the bios settings and cannot seem to see anything that is causing this hardware reserved memory.
Could I please get any ideas on how to trouble shoot? Thanks.


<<< System Summary >>>
> Mainboard : Asus M5A78L-M/USB3
> Chipset : AMD 780
> Processor : AMD Processor @ 4018MHz
> Physical Memory : 20480MB
> Video Card : AMD 760G (Microsoft Corporation WDDM 1.1)
> Hard Disk : OCZ-VERTEX2 ATA Device (60GB)
> Hard Disk : Western Digital WD4500HLHX-01JJPV0 ATA Device (450GB)
> DVD-Rom Drive : MagicISO Virtual DVD-ROM
> Monitor Type : Samsung SyncMaster - 19 inches
> Network Card : Realtek Semiconductor RTL8168/8111 PCIe Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
> Operating System : Windows 7 Ultimate Professional Media Center 6.01.7600 (64-bit)
> DirectX : Version 11.00
> Windows Performance Index : 4.1 on 7.9

 

[jackson1420]

Your computer's date appears in the future 😵

What is your memory stick configuration? (How is it plugged into your mobo)

I find it unlikely the RAM isn't the most compatible with your mobo.

I have had this issue and resolved the issue by swapping the slows my RAM sticks were using but I am assuming you have 4 or more sticks and it looks like you have a mismatch stick sizes, which can still work.. Answering my first question will help me understand the setup. Mismatching does work even with different brands but it can be dependent on which slot has which stick of RAM. If you have a mismatch in RAM try only installing one bran and see if one of the brands are corrupted.

 

[jackson1420]

Could also be OS corruption. But that is a shot in the dark. Try running WEI (Windows Experience Index). Sometimes that can trigger Windows into recognizing new hardware.

I have always been able to resolve this by swapping the RAM slots

 

[disease8]

I have 2 x 8gb sticks and 2 x 2gb sticks. I had both the 8gb in the blue slots and the 2gb in the black slots.
I have looked in ramon.exe and it says that the ram is "hardware reserved". If I put more ram in it makes more ram hardware reserved.

I have just taken out all the ram except one 8gb stick and now it says:
installed memory: 8gb (usable 7.73gb)

It must be something on the bios?

All the ram is compatible all the same speed (1333mhz) pc3-10600

 

[disease8]

I just tried changing the order of the ram and no matter what slots I put the ram into its always the same. If the two 8gb cards are in any configuration there is always only 7.73 available out of 16gb.

 

[disease8]

The more ram I put in the more it takes for hardware reserved. I put in 20gb it has 11.7 available, I put in 16 it has 7.73 available. 8gb = 7.73 usable.


ALSO

I thought I should try updating the Bios as it says to try this on the windows website. But the application Asusupdate does not seem to work on this computer.

AND

I just tested with only the two 2gb sticks and I get the full 4gb?!
Strange!

UPDATE


I have run the windows memory diagnostic program and it says there are no errors with the ram.

I am stumped. I will keep trying to update my bios.

It seems that the 8gb ram is NOT the same as the two 2gb sticks. It is actually much faster. Here is all the memory details:

General Information :
DIMM0 (BANK0 ) : 2048 M
DIMM1 (BANK1 ) : 2048 M
DIMM2 (BANK2 ) : 8192 M
DIMM3 (BANK3 ) : 8192 M


Information SPD EEPROM
Manufacturer : PDP Syste
Part Number : PSD32G1333
Serial Number : 0018E908
Specification : H

Type : DDR3-SDRAM PC3-10
Format : UDIMM (133.35 x
Size : 2048 MB (2 ranks
Module Buffered : No

Module Registered : No

Module SLi Ready (EPP) :
Module XMP : No

Width : 64-bit

Error Correction Capabil
Voltage : 1.50v

Prefetch Buffer : 8-bit
Manufacture : 2000

Thermal Sensor : No

Heat Spreader : No

Supported Frequencies : 444 MHz,
CAS Latency (tCL) : 6 clocks @ 44
RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 6 clocks @ 44
RAS Precharge (tRP) : 6 clocks @
Cycle Time (tRAS) : 16 clocks @ 4
Min TRC : 22 clocks @ 444 MHz, 26


Information SPD EEPROM (DIMM1) :
Manufacturer : Corsair

Part Number : VS2GB1333D3

Serial Number : 0018E9080018E738
Specification : H

Type : DDR3-SDRAM PC3-10700 (667
Format : UDIMM (133.35 x 16)

Size : 2048 MB (2 ranks, 8 banks
Module Buffered : No

Module Registered : No

Module SLi Ready (EPP) : No

Module XMP : No

Width : 64-bit

Error Correction Capability (EC..
Voltage : 1.50v

Prefetch Buffer : 8-bit

Manufacture : 2000

Thermal Sensor : No

Heat Spreader : No

Supported Frequencies : 444 MHz,
CAS Latency (tCL) : 6 clocks @ 44
RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 6 clocks @ 44
RAS Precharge (tRP) : 6 clocks @
Cycle Time (tRAS) : 16 clocks @ 4
Min TRC : 23 clocks @ 444 MHz, 27


Information SPD EEPROM (DIMM2) :
Manufacturer : Unspecified

Part Number : Unspecified

Serial Number : 0018E9080018E738
Type : DDR3-SDRAM PC3-10700 (667
Format : UDIMM (133.35 x 15)

Size : 8192 MB (2 ranks, 8 banks
Module Buffered : No

Module Registered : No

Module SLi Ready (EPP) : No

Module XMP : No

Width : 64-bit

Error Correction Capability (EC..
Voltage : 1.50v

Prefetch Buffer : 8-bit

Manufacture : Week 9 of 2012

Thermal Sensor : No

Heat Spreader : No

Supported Frequencies : 381 MHz,
CAS Latency (tCL) : 5 clocks @ 38
RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 5 clocks @ 38
RAS Precharge (tRP) : 5 clocks @
Cycle Time (tRAS) : 14 clocks @ 3
Min TRC : 19 clocks @ 381 MHz, 23


Information SPD EEPROM (DIMM3) :
Manufacturer : Unspecified

Part Number : Unspecified

Serial Number : 0018E9080018E738
Type : DDR3-SDRAM PC3-10700 (667
Format : UDIMM (133.35 x 15)

Size : 8192 MB (2 ranks, 8 banks
Module Buffered : No

Module Registered : No

Module SLi Ready (EPP) : No

Module XMP : No

Width : 64-bit

Error Correction Capability (EC..
Voltage : 1.50v

Prefetch Buffer : 8-bit

Manufacture : Week 9 of 2012

Thermal Sensor : No

Heat Spreader : No

Supported Frequencies : 381 MHz,
CAS Latency (tCL) : 5 clocks @ 38
RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 5 clocks @ 38
RAS Precharge (tRP) : 5 clocks @
Cycle Time (tRAS) : 14 clocks @ 3
Min TRC : 19 clocks @ 381 MHz, 23


Memory Controller Information :
Memory Controller : System Memory
Location : Mainboard

Error Correction Capability : No
Number of connectors : 4

Max. Module Size : 16384 MB

 

[jackson1420]

Just took a quick look at your motherboard's compatible memory here:

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M5A78LMUSB3/#support_QVL

I don't see those Corsair sticks on the support list. I am putting my money that this is the issue.

I have had weird issues like that.

As a matter of fact I have proof that this is the error:

I have had a system that did this exact same issue of not recognizing the full 20GB of RAM. It was like only seeing 14 GiBs or something stupid.

I did sort of "resolve" the issue by swapping the slots. But my client experienced some very interesting issues that perplexed me. I created a post here for it:

My issue (posted below) can be categorized in the same way as your issue I am very positive of. Unsupported modules.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1634727/motherboard-running-8gb-modules-4gb-supported.html

The solution: I ordered memory suggested for the mobo and my client has been clear of this issue since then when it was a constantly occurring. Now she can work as normal.

You will want to replace your 8 GB modules. Unfortunately for your board it appears your mobo has a limit of the supported RAM modules it can support. Below is the link to the 8GB modules supported.

Transcend 8G DDR3 1333 DIMM CL9 - Googling this came up with some vendors for this module from the list

M378B1G73AH0-CH9 - For the Samsung modules also came up with similar results.

Perhaps try ordering a pair from a site where you can get a good refund. Anything Fulfilled by Amazon will do you justice if that still doesn't resolve your issue. Two "supported" 8 GiB modules should allow you to use all 20 GiBs.

You could alternatively get 4x4 GB modules to get 16 GiBs depending on your RAM needs. Sell your other stick to friends or on E-bay. Or give them as a gift to someone and make them feel special hehe. Sorry man.

Miller Time again?

 

[jackson1420]

RANDOM THOUGHT:

Miller Time has taken its toll but does this sound funny to you?

Taking into account that your actual hardware reserve RAM according to the original post is: 8.3 Gib

It seems like the modules holding the 8 GiB modules are trying their best to address all 8 GiB. But due to their firmware they can only count a tiny bit over the 4 GiB limit.

Since the mobo memory slots can only address 4 GiB - it can only address the 4 GiB. Then due to the error there is an additional hardware reservation of .15 each per module to ensure proper operation. Thus resulting in 0.15 GiB minus the actual 8GiB not supported by the board.

So let us dive into the simple math here

2(0.15)+8 = 8.3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KEY |
------

2 = Two 8 GiB memory modules

0.15 = Additional H/W reservation for confusing the mobo with each unsupported modules (each 8 GiB module)

8 = Since each mobo memory slot can only read 4 GiB - it cuts off addressing the extra 4 GiB offered by the by each module - thus resulting in 8 GiB.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



This is all theory anyways...

Regardless you are still missing the 7.7 GiB of RAM.

I still suspect simple incompatibility at play.

Following my previous post should resolve this issue for sure.

 

[disease8]

Hi I think you are right! Thank you so much! They say manufacturer "unspecified" in the specifications above I guess that is asking for trouble. And when I took out the two 8gb stick it recognized all the full 4g of remaining sticks just fine.

So this list of vendors for ram, it cannot ONLY be the ones on the list right? Its just recommended? So if I choose just "branded" ram I think it would be much more likely to work.

 

[jackson1420]

The vendors in the list are tested and verified by ASUS, the memory is designed to work with the mobo. I am surprised they tested so few. I have seen ASUS pages be 3-6 pages long of different vendors to choose from. And much more reputable memory companies.. Transcend and Samsung are the only ones I would trust - but the others in the list should work just fine.

At any rate - buying any branded RAM sounds like a gamble in this case - but if you have a spare set try it out it can't hurt. If you want a sure thing - and to avoid memory problems that memtest won't reveal. (I ran memtestx86 using all 20GiB on that system I was having issues with for 24 hours and found no errors.) But swapping in the "recommended" RAM and the problems went away.

 

[Tradesman1]

The first thing is ANY time you mix sticks from different sets it can be problematic - especially with AMD and especially with sets of different densities or freqs. Also, the QVLs are pretty much worthless, mobo companies test with whatever they have on hand at the time, and even then simply test at the mobo default speed. Wrote an article on this here:

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20387&Itemid=8

You could check in MSCONFIG to see if Win is limiting your max DRAM

Go to START , type in MSCONFIG in the search box, hit enter, then in the MSCONFIG window, click BOOT then ADVANCED OPTIONS and make sure the Maximum Memory box is unchecked.

If OK there, then make sure you have the latest BIOS, if not update it, if you do have it, do a hard reset (CMOS reset) and install the 8GB sticks in slots 1-3, the blue ones, and give it a try, if still problems seeing all the DRAM might try raising the DRAM and CPU/NB voltage (I'd start with the DRAM adding + 0.05 and the CPU/NB + 0.10) and see if that helps. If still problems might want to check the pins on the CPU for any that may be bent/broken

 

[jackson1420]

The RAM isn't in the verified by ASUS list.

It should be that simple. I haven't ran into issues mixing RAM in years across countless builds. Lucky me?

 

[Tradesman1]

Probably yes, or primarily using low freq/low density sticks, the issue really starts to appear with around 1600 DRAM, though often at lower freqs. I see issues from some of my personal clients and on other forums all the time. And if you read the article referenced above you'll see how Asus 'test' DRAM - it's done at the mobo default freq (generally 1333 or 1600), so if you go out and buy 2133, 2400, 2666 or whatever DRAM on that list, will it work, prob Yes, but will it work at it's specified freq - who knows - I for one would not be pleased to buy a 2400 set off a QVL and it not work only to find they only test the 2400 sticks at 1333