Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

8GB of ram installed but i can only use 4GB of it?

Tags:
  • Memory
  • RAM
  • Kingston
Last response: in Memory
Share
August 30, 2014 10:01:57 PM

Is this normal? if not then how do I use ALL of the memory?
It detects that I have 8gb of ram but it only uses 4gb of it
I saw that 4gb was in hardware reserve and i dunno how to allocate more memory for use



Kingston HyperX Fury 4GB (2x)


P.S.
Windows 8.1 SL OEM 64 Bit

More about : 8gb ram installed 4gb

August 30, 2014 10:31:06 PM

This is a problem I've seen a time or two. Let's start at the top.

Memory remap issue: Do you have the latest version of your motherboard's BIOS? If not, update it and see if the issue resolves itself.

http://www.asrock.com/MB/AMD/990FX%20Extreme4/index.asp...
m
0
l
August 30, 2014 11:09:48 PM

Download CPU-Z from www.cpuid.com and see if your memory is recognized.
m
0
l
Related resources
August 30, 2014 11:51:20 PM

Currenty downloading the latest BIOS update (2.70)


Yes, both sticks are recognized





UPDATE:
I have installed the latest BIOS update and i can ony use 4 gb of my 8gb still...
m
0
l
a b } Memory
August 31, 2014 12:18:32 AM

PhotoshopLOL said:

I saw that 4gb was in hardware reserve and i dunno how to allocate more memory for use



Try this,

Quote:

Check the system configuration settings
This problem may occur because the Maximum memory option is selected incorrectly. To fix this, follow these steps:

Click Start/Start button
, type msconfig in the Search programs and files box, and then click msconfig in the Programs list.
In the System Configuration window, click Advanced options on the Boot tab.
Click to clear the Maximum memory check box, and then click OK.
Restart the computer.


from here,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978610/en-us
m
0
l
August 31, 2014 12:24:53 AM

A problem like this can be any of a few things, so we'll keep throwing suggestions out there. One of us will guess it eventually. Before we get physical (popping DIMMs and checking for bum slots), we'll keep focusing on software configuration.

Now that the BIOS is up to date, check the memory remap option in the BIOS. Toggle it to the opposite of whatever setting it's on, restart and see if it brings you luck.
m
0
l
August 31, 2014 1:15:36 AM

I cant find a way to configure the memory settings in this BIOS its kinda confusing, anyone know how?
m
0
l
August 31, 2014 1:28:10 AM

Your BIOS may not have the option at all. Some of the AMI BIOS boards, like your ASRock, keep it as an adjustable options, while others do not.

You can try adjusting your DRAM frequency in this BIOS from Auto to it's rated speed, which has sometimes worked.

At this point, the fastest solution might be to swam your RAM to the opposite slots on your motherboard.
m
0
l
August 31, 2014 1:45:12 AM

alright, i will put the sticks on the first and third slot now.

UPDATE:
Still no luck, the sticks are on the first and third slot and i've also manually changed the DRAM frequency on the BIOS but it still uses 4gb out of 8

also i've just noticed that the debug monitor on the mobo showed "AA" when i updated the BIOS i think this is normal
m
0
l
August 31, 2014 2:57:37 AM

The AA is normal.

You have PC3-15000, correct? I don't see your memory on the motherboard's compatibility list. You might want to try dropping the frequency down to 1600.
m
0
l
a b } Memory
August 31, 2014 3:36:42 AM

Vic 40 said:
PhotoshopLOL said:

I saw that 4gb was in hardware reserve and i dunno how to allocate more memory for use



Try this,

Quote:

Check the system configuration settings
This problem may occur because the Maximum memory option is selected incorrectly. To fix this, follow these steps:

Click Start/Start button
, type msconfig in the Search programs and files box, and then click msconfig in the Programs list.
In the System Configuration window, click Advanced options on the Boot tab.
Click to clear the Maximum memory check box, and then click OK.
Restart the computer.


from here,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978610/en-us


m
0
l
August 31, 2014 3:38:07 AM

ive lowered the frequency and yes i have also looked at the compatibility for memory, my GPU isnt even compatible (i think thats the reason the driver always crashes) but its still 4gb useable, any last resort?

To the guy above me, Ive already checked and it was unticked in the first place and I HAVE WINDOWS 8.1
m
0
l
a b } Memory
August 31, 2014 12:05:15 PM

Still trying to find a solution for that "hardware reserved" since imo that is your problem.

No setting in the bios that does anything,like under "Advanced" -> "Cpu Configuration"-> "Secure Virtual Machine" -> @ disabled?
Just to try out.

Was wondering about settings in the register,but am not sure where to look,found this,

open Regedit->
Hkey local machine->CurrentControlSet->Control->SystemResources->ReservedResources ...What is the value there for you?

Btw have you tried with the ram @ 1333mhz for instance? With the settings (voltage/tmings) accordingly like displayed in cpu-z.From what i can tell are you now at ~1866mhz.

m
0
l
August 31, 2014 2:05:44 PM

There's still the possibility that one of your sticks is bad.

Have you attempted to boot your machine using each stick by itself?
m
0
l
a c 2285 } Memory
August 31, 2014 3:40:23 PM

Go into BIOS and try raising the DRAM voltage to + 0.05 (1.55 - maybe even to 1.6) and the CPU/NB voltage to 1.2

Problem may be incompatibility here as the Fury's are PnP where most all DRAM uses XMP to put their profiles in the SPD of the DRAM and the chipset isn't compatible to PnP (according to Kingston)
m
0
l
a c 2285 } Memory
August 31, 2014 3:43:53 PM

Might want to give a shout (PM) to KingstonHQ , that's the name of their rep here on the forums
m
0
l
August 31, 2014 6:53:59 PM

I can only change the DRAM Frequency in my BIOS

as for the regedit, there is no value set and i have dropped the dram frequency to 1600

I will try to boot with one stick and then the other

I have pmed kingstonhq and i hope he responds

Thanks guys
m
0
l
a b } Memory
September 1, 2014 1:04:23 AM

No value is good.

If the lower speed doesn't help,just wait for the rep. from kingston to respond.

Good luck with it.
m
0
l
September 1, 2014 2:19:53 AM





:I I've booted with a single stick and it uses it all

Does my mobo or OS have a limit or somthing

this is really bugging me :I
m
0
l
a b } Memory
September 1, 2014 2:35:09 AM

Those screenshots are really to small for me to get a good look.
m
0
l
September 1, 2014 4:06:56 AM







This bugs me alot because I will use alot of ram (games, rendering and such)
m
0
l
a b } Memory
September 1, 2014 4:24:02 AM

With just one stick the 'hardware reserved" is what it should be,the rest seems to be fine too.You'll need to figure out what Takes so much ram for this "hardware reserved".

I see photoshop in your name,is there a setting that can take so much ram?

m
0
l
September 1, 2014 5:23:11 AM

nothing I know of, I don't even have them installed yet.

Still no response from Kingston... gershdernit

P.S.

I am accessing the BIOS configuration thru UEFI so yah...
m
0
l
September 1, 2014 3:56:08 PM

We're getting down to brass tacks with this one. It may very well be an incompatibility, but if you want to keep tinkering around, try re-seating your processor. Look for any bent pins.
m
0
l
September 1, 2014 7:13:44 PM

Run Memtest86 from http://www.memtest86.com
Read the instructions carefully. It takes several hours to run. Any single error in the test and REJECT that RAM, send it back for replacement.
m
0
l
September 1, 2014 8:23:42 PM

I know that there are no bent pins but ill check
ill have to buy thermal paste remover and thermal paste
will update you guys
m
0
l
September 1, 2014 8:31:19 PM

Re-seating the CPU has done the trick on a few Intel based machines, so I'm not sure it'll solve it for you. Worth a shot, I guess.

m
0
l
September 3, 2014 3:35:18 AM

Okay guys my PSU's fuse popped, i will try to get it fixed and i will update you guys when its fixed
m
0
l
a c 2285 } Memory
September 3, 2014 12:54:42 PM

Keep us updated ;) 
m
0
l
September 6, 2014 11:13:24 PM

Alright, I am back.

I have replaced my PSU and I asked the vendor to replace my sticks because of the problem (this was my last resort at this point) and they worked! The PC used all 8gb of ram! I guess the sticks were broken or something...

Thanks for all the help tho, guys!

Solution:

If any of the answers above doesn't work, Go to the vendor, where you bought your ram (bring with you your receipt and the ram sticks) and tell them the problem and they will most probably replace the sticks with new (but similar) sticks.
m
0
l
a b } Memory
September 7, 2014 1:24:08 AM

Good to hear you solved your problem.:D 

Thanks for letting us know!
m
0
l
September 13, 2014 10:01:45 AM

Occam's Razor..... Duh!
m
0
l
!