Installed memory: 8.00 GB (4.00 GB usable)

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
S

shobuddy

Distinguished
Feb 12, 2009
124
0
18,680
I have a 64-bit windows 10 desktop with 4GB (2x2GB) of memory. I purchased (2x2GB) more memory of the same brand/model/specs (literally just hit reorder from my original memory purchase) to bring the total up to 8GB but when I installed it, windows says 8GB is installed but only 4GB is usable. Furthermore, bios only recognized the 4GB. I removed the two new ones memory sticks that I purchased and went back to 4GB and it Windows now says 4GB installed and only 2GB usable. The bios also now recognizes only 2GB. I tried different slots on the MB but same issue. What gives!!!

Update: I reseated all the sticks and I'm now up to 8GB installed and 6GB usable.
 
Solution
Rogue Leader


It won't wipe the D drive only the C drive. You can try it, but be prepared to try it again and delete the data if it doesn't work, just to confirm thats not the issue.
Sort by date Sort by votes


Whats the specs of your system?

Also when you reseated the ram did you use some compressed air to blow out the slots? Based on 6gb suddenly working now I think you may have some dust in there.



This is for 32 bit windows 7, this is useless, do not do this, you may actually do more harm than good!
 
Upvote 1 Downvote


Thats what I thought off as well but unfortunately I don't have a can of air. Visually it looks OK but can't tell deep in there. Its odd that Windows recognizes 8GB installed but only uses 6GB. Its also odd that bios only recognizes the 6GB. Does that tell anything about whether the memory stick or the slot is bad? Below are some specs. Not sure if this is what you meant.


Operating System
Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i7 920 @ 2.67GHz 65 °C
Bloomfield 45nm Technology
RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 532MHz (8-8-8-20)
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd. EX58-UD3R (Socket 1366) 35 °C
Graphics
SyncMaster (1920x1200@59Hz)
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT (EVGA) 60 °C
Storage
111GB Crucial_CT120M500SSD1 (SSD)
298GB Western Digital WDC WD3200AAKS-00L9A0 (SATA) 33 °C
Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST CDRW/DVD GCC4482 ATA Device
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Exactly what I needed and the suggestion below:



May be correct. However I also still believe you may have something in there preventing it from working (dust or debris). The other thing that can cause this is a bent CPU pin, but I would exhaust all other options before that.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote


Ok have you tested all 4 DIMMS individually? I would do that first, just to rule it out. Also make sure they are locked in tight when installed, the fact you had 6 and went back to 4 tells me maybe one isn't in all the way.

In your BIOS, look for something called "Memory Remapping" or "Memory Extension" make sure its enabled.

Next in Windows open MSCONFIG (Start/Run, type in msconfig), click Boot, then advanced options, and make sure there is no memory limit set (just uncheck the maximum memory box if its checked).

If all this doesn't work then, next, you are gonna need some thermal paste, I would pull the CPU, and check the pins, if any are bent they can cause this issue. Use a pin to try and fix them, then you will need to reseat your cpu, reapply thermal paste, and the cooler.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
All DIMMS have been tested and are good. And I don't see anything in the BIOS about memory remapping or extension. Below is the URL for the manual of the MB. The MSCONFIG option is unchecked. I've even reflashed the BIOS (was already using the latest version). Its odd that windows sees 8GB installed (but only using 4GB) while the BIOS only sees 4GB. Does that tell us anything?

http://download1.gigabyte.us/Files/Manual/motherboard_manual_ga-ex58-ud3r_e.pdf

I've even tried all options described in the link below except the last one. Is it worth trying the last one?
http://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-windows-10-not-using-full-ram/#Method_5_Run_Memtest86


 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Memtest86 is DEFINITELY worth running, which would tell you if you do have bad memory (or maybe a bad memory slot. But the bent CPU pin is still a possibility.

I looked through your manual and I don't see anything that would affect this. I'd suggest just resetting the CMOS just in case an overclock setting somehow got picked up thats effecting it. I doubt it but its worth a shot.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote


Reset CMOS but still no luck. Also ran memtest for 23 hours and it came out clean (see attached image). How is memtest detecting the four sticks but bios won't? weird.

2lvelgy.jpg
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Looking around a bit more I found mention of a "hardware reserved" issue (see screenshot). Resource monitor shows 4GB hardware reserved. Not sure what this means just yet so please chime in with any suggestions on how to remove the reserve. Looking into it myself in the meantime.
10r1p21.png
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Hardware reserved is when your system locks out some of the memory for VRAM usage (for your GPU) however your card is only 512mb.

Clearing this is the operation that I mentioned earlier, using msconfig and removing the checkbox on maximum memory.

If thats not the case, and you have the latest BIOS installed for your motherboard, you may want to back up your data and clean install Windows. I have seen that clear this issue.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote


Rogue, thanks for the response yet again. Just another update. I swapped the two middle sticks of memory and it now shows 8GB installed and 6GB usable with 2GB hardware reserved. I have four slots and it was:

Slot 1: DDR3_1 = New DIMM
Slot 2: DDR3_3 = New DIMM
Slot 3: DDR3_2 = Old DIMM
Slot 4: DDR3_4 = Old DIMM

I changed it to:
Slot 1: DDR3_1 = New DIMM
Slot 2: DDR3_3 = Old DIMM
Slot 3: DDR3_2 = New DIMM
Slot 4: DDR3_4 = Old DIMM

I also read a clean install of Windows might solve the issue. Will look into that tomorrow.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
When doing a new install of Windows, it offers the option to save "data" or do a complete wipe. Is it OK to choose the option to save data or should I do a complete wipe? I have the Windows installed on an SSD on the "C" drive and my data on the "D" drive which is a separate HDD.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


It won't wipe the D drive only the C drive. You can try it, but be prepared to try it again and delete the data if it doesn't work, just to confirm thats not the issue.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution


I did a format on the "C" drive but the "D" drive was not touched. When Windows install process began, it said that if a Windows install is detected, it would back it up before doing the new install. I obviously had Windows installed and did not want the backup so I chose to format the C drive before install.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom