8GB RAM, only 3.98GB Usable. (Windows 7)

sheepycat · Apr 12, 2015

Hi,

My PC has 2x4GB of RAM installed, yet on the control panel it tells me that only 3.98GB of that is usable. After having a look around online someone recommended checking resmon.exe, which told me that 4120MB was 'Hardware Reserved'.

The same person then said that this meant I probably had a bad stick of RAM. Can anyone confirm this, or suggest possible solutions which could tell me for sure that I have a bad stick?

More information:
I am running 64-bit Windows 7, and on msconfig 'Maximum Memory' is unticked.
My BIOS says that '4096MB (DDR3 1600)' is installed.
I have tried switching both sticks to the other two slots but haven't reset the CMOS battery since doing so, this was about 45 minutes ago, control panel still says the same.

Thanks.

markwp · Apr 12, 2015

Quickest way to check is to run each stick as a single. If you have a bad stick, you won't be able to boot. If both sticks work in slot 1, try the other slots to see if it's a bad slot. You can also run memtest and get a quick answer as it will show up bad ram pretty quickly.

You might also want to reset cmos as you noted above.

JackNaylorPE · Apr 12, 2015

Memtest 86+ will tell you if you have a bad stick.

Open your MoBo manual and *make sure* both sticks are in the correct slots....these vary by MoBo brand as well as model.

bignastyid · Apr 12, 2015

"The same person then said that this meant I probably had a bad stick of RAM. Can anyone confirm this, or suggest possible solutions which could tell me for sure that I have a bad stick?" try using 1 stick at a time in dimm slot 1.

JackNaylorPE · Apr 12, 2015

Step 1 - Memtest 86+ on two sticks on correct slots (let's say MoBo manual says A1- B1).... if it passes ya done. If it fails go to step 2

Step 2 - Memtest 86+ on 1st stick in correct slot (A1)

Step 3 - Memtest 86+ on 2ndt stick in correct slot (A1)

If either stick fails in A1, then you solved ya problem...... if you get no failures, likely Slot B2 is bad, confirm w/ steps 4 and 5'.

Step 4 - Memtest 86+ on 1st stick in correct slot (B1)

Step 5 - Memtest 86+ on 2nd stick in correct slot (B1)

BTW, each test is not a 10 minute thing ..... it's a 12 hour thing.... one of the reasons you do both sticks in 1st step...saves ya 12 hours most of the time.

Tradesman1 · Apr 12, 2015

Try a single stick in slot 1 (from CPU), if OK try same stick in slot 2. If both work, then try same with the other stick. If a failure with either single stick then try Memtest on the stick, If both work in a single slot but trouble in the other, then it may be the MC or the mobo.....and may be the CPU cooler is too tight in a corner or side, so try loosening cooler then snug it back down. If too tight it may have the CPU out of level and it's not getting full contact

sheepycat · Jun 26, 2015

Sorry for the extremely late feedback and everything.

In the end I managed to get it fixed by simply changing a setting in the BIOS to 1600 rather than 800 and it has been fine since.

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