14GB of RAM only 3.18 Usable

Kohbe

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Mar 7, 2017
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Im fixing a friends prebuilt for him. And Windows was corrupt or something along the lines. So I fixed that by reinstalling windows 10. It had 1x8gb of ram. I put 3x2gb in it. So it is now up to 14gb of ram. I know how channels work and understand that it is not optimal. But noone the less its 14gb in the order. 2-2-2-8. It is also 64bit. On Speccy it does say 14gb, and in propertys it says 14gb ram. 3.18 usable. I have done the thing with msconfig where you select max ram. It changes the value up to 14xxx. I dont know the other 3 numbers, but 14gb give or take a few mb. but after I apply changes and go back into advanced settings max memory is checked but its only at 2048. So something is wrong there. Need help with all that. I will include a picture with the prebuilt's spec's. Now as far is bios, from what I can see this computer is weird with the bios. I have did down key, f1,f2,f8,f10. and I have seen all screens. It takes me to a screen that I press f10 and it takes me to the "bios" but when I get there it is titled "setup unility" it is semi reminiscent of a bios. However there is limited options and nothing that would allow me to change ram. so if there is a key i missed or should try. Let me know. or a way from windows 10 that would boot me into bios. I would like to know about that.

In conclusion
1- What is up with the ram
2- How can I get into a real bios or change ram setting is the "setup utility"
http://imgur.com/a/DtMsw
 

Kohbe

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I havnt changed anything is Bios becuase there is nothing to change. And Paul can you explain what you mean? No onboard ram should use 11gb for a computer that had stock 8
 

Kohbe

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Windows is picking it up. As I said Windows says 14gb Installed (3.18 Usable)
 


It sounds like you either have a 32-bit version of Windows (unlikely with Windows 10) or a 32-bit processor. Is this a really old machine? What is the CPU model?
 

Kohbe

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I left a picture of the specs. It was default with windows 8 and I upgraded it to windows 10. and It was prebuilt 8gb of RAM so I doubt its anything todo hardware wise. And It is a "AMD Elite Quad-Core A10-6700 Accelerated Processor" It is an APU
 

Kohbe

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Mar 7, 2017
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The RAM is not faulty. I have tested it multiple times and it is picked up by the computer and by windows. And I cannot update the bios because. As stupid as it sounds. Either there is no accesable bios. Or this bios is very weird from any of the other dozen and a half bios that I have seen.
 

It is a 64-bit processor, so that's not the issue.
To update the BIOS, you run a utility in Windows. The only issue there is that they may not have made a utility compatible with Windows 10 for this model if it was sold with Windows 8.
 

schaft

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Jan 24, 2012
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could you try disable dual channel in bios? It might forced dual channel so the ram that work is only 2+2 (while 2+8 was regarded as unused). Maybe ganged or unganged in some amd motherboard version.

Good luck
 

Kohbe

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Mar 7, 2017
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I feel like there should be. Im not advanced on BIOS things. I build pc's and do stuff with GPU's never BIOS. I generally dont have any trouble with my BIOS. The most I've had todo is change 1 or 2 things around on mine. and get a get CMOS battery. other than that. I dont know anything about BIOS
 

Kohbe

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Mar 7, 2017
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Im not at his house. Going back down tomorrow around noon and trying it back with just the 8. and Ill get back to you on that
 

Kohbe

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Mar 7, 2017
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I agree that this could be it, but the issue it. As posted. I cannot find a way to edit any of this. The BIOS on this pc is very unique to say the least. and There is something I am missing about it or something Im not sure. i cannot find anything past this weird "bios"