8gb Ram Installed, and detected by windows, but only ~4 (3.93) usable

JVess · May 7, 2014

My problem is as stated in the Topic, I've got 8gb of ram installed, everything passes POST, and Memtests, i've taken the laptop apart and reassembled it all twice now just to check all the connections. Any thoughts? I'm stumped and very annoyed.

System Stats:

Windows 7 Home Premium (x64)
Intel Core i7 740QM
8 GB DDR3 Ram
AMD Mobility Radeon HD 5800 Series

Someone Somewhere · May 7, 2014

Is it 4x2GiB, 2x4GiB, or 1x8GiB? IIRC the 1st gen chips can't handle individual sticks >4GiB.

JVess · May 7, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

Its 2x4 (laptop is an HP Envy 17)

Tradesman1 · May 7, 2014

Did it come w/ 8GB or have you added a stick? Also are you positive it's Home Premium 64 - there's a HP 32 version also (limit 4GB)

JVess · May 7, 2014

Tradesman1 :

It came with 8gb installed, havent installed anything

Tradesman1 · May 7, 2014

Have you checked in MSCONFIG to see if it's limiting the DRAM Go MSCONFIG > BOOT > ADVANCED> and make sure the MAX MEM is UNchecked

Also if it's 2x4GB make sure the stick(s) are firmly seated

Might also try HP chat or start a trouble ticket

JVess · May 7, 2014

Tradesman1 :

Both sticks are firmly seated, and The max mem isn't being limited, (i've been reading up on possible solutions all day, lots of posts T.T )

photonboy · May 7, 2014

1. Use MEMTEST to verify all 8GB (8048MB) is being seen AND passes (one full pass).

2. If not all 8GB is tested and passed, then verify each stick separately and verify each SLOT separately.

3. Update the BIOS if newer exists.

Tradesman1 · May 7, 2014

I'd check in w/ HP should be under warranty and might save aggravation

photonboy · May 7, 2014

I've also seen the problem on DESKTOP systems and for HARDWARE there were two main causes:
a) CPU incorrectly mounted, and
b) Defective motherboard

Neither is fixable on a laptop, but perhaps my above MEMTEST tips would help figure out that.

If 8GB passes in MEMTEST however then I think it's a Windows software issue but I couldn't find a good reason.

Someone Somewhere · May 7, 2014

You can reseat a laptop chip, but it's a lot less likely to be a problem. Laptops tend to use PGAs, which tend to be harder to mismount.

JVess · May 7, 2014

So totally dismantled the Laptop today for a full cleaning (and replacing of my thermal paste for higher quality, highly recommended) and figured, what the hell i'll clean the ram cards too, and when I did quite a bit of debris was on one of the connectors which I'm assuming was causing the problem, as now its working fine.

Tradesman1 · May 7, 2014

Glad to here all is well, dust and all can get into the tightest places, when you reseated the sticks prob didn't see it

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