"Memory Reserved" in Windows 7

[MrWhippy_10]

Morning all,

I am after some expert help if possble.

I very recently upgraded my pc from 4gig to 8gig of RAM, a SSHD and windows 7.
All seems to have gone well except from the fact that windows is reserving 4gig of my ram, as shown in the screen grab below. Regardless of how hard I push my machine, it seems like this ram is just never used.

Any advice would be greatly apprciated, as at the moment I feel like I have wasted my time and money.

Cheers,

Chris.

 

[Unolocogringo]

Most programs ,including games do not need more than 4 gig of ram. Programs that do are video/photo editing,CAD, etc.
If you are just running normal software it will never get used. Win7 "knows" this and allocates the other 4 gig for pre loading programs to make them start faster.
I

 

[nukemaster]

Actually standby memory(+ the Modified) is the pre caches(superfetch) files.

Are you running the 32 bit version of windows by any chance?

when i get home, i will check on my other system with more then 4 gigs. This is my media center pc.

Does the computer properties say only 4 gigs are usable?

 

[MrWhippy_10]

Thanks for your answers gents, I appreciate the effort.

My OS is 64 bit, and unfortunately I use quite a resource hungry CAD package so am in need of the ram.

I have checked the properties and it does indeed say that only 4gig of the 8gig is useable. Does this mean there is a fault with the new ram I purchased??

Cheers,

Chris.

 

[T_T]

Try this...

Start->Run->type in "msconfig"->press enter

When the new window pops up, uncheck the box for Max Memory

 

[MrWhippy_10]

Hi T_T,

Already tried that on the recommendation of a friend. No joy :-(

I am at the stage where I would be just as happy to take it to someone and pay them to fix it, as the issue is frustrating me hugely.

 

[jaquith]

More than likely, it's either a Partition or a bad install. I've seen 2GB H/W reserved but never 4GB. Are you 100% certain that you did NOT install a 32-bit critical driver set?? Also, if you have another HDD/SSD connected with a 32-bit OS then too this can happen. Another explanation is mix-matched/unsupported RAM/exceeding >GB/slot.

In addition, LGA 1156 MOBO are notorious with bent CPU pins causing similar problems.

You won the Prize with 4GB Reserved!!

Please post the following:
1. MOBO + BIOS version
2. CPU
3. Part-number and or {I prefer} link to RAM
4. Partitions
5. Exact OS e.g. Windows 7 Pro x64
6. Hardware installed
7. Multiple OSes {listed}
8. What exact slots are RAM installed in e.g. DDR3_1, DDR3_3, DDR3_5

RAM Limits - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx

 

[nukemaster]

To add to above, some times having memory in the wrong slots on a 1366 board, will cause you to have less usable then total memory installed. I have had this my self when removing some sticks from my 1366 system to use then to test other systems.

I am guessing with 8 gigs, that you have a 1156 system tho. Try to remove and reinstall the memory and make sure your bios memory remap function is enable(i think its enabled you need, someone correct me if that was wrong.).

 

[MrWhippy_10]

Thanks for your feedback guys, its appreciated.

Spec as follows,

MOBO is ASUS P7P55D Deluxen (BIOS 1807) with an intel core I7 CPU.
RAM = 4gig of Kingston (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz/PC3-12800 HyperX Memory Kit CL9(9-9-9-27 & 4 gig of crucial RAM that was fitted from factory
Corsair SSD with windows 7 pro 64.

I have removed all other HD's ( one of which had windows xp still installed) but the results are the same regarding memory reservation.

To try and answer your questions, I have no idea if I installed a 32 bit driver set, as I am quite computer illiterate (unless its CAD based)

Nukemaster, you may as well have typed in Hebrew there my friend, but I did as asked and removed/reinstalled memory, again to no avail...

Cheers!

Chris.

 

[jaquith]

Hmm, clearly after your post Mis-Matched RAM; most of the time it just makes your PC unstable. But I'm at least too familiar with this problem. More than likely one of (3) end situations: Manually Jerry-Rigging the BIOS so both can be coexsisting, Exchanging RAM to match Speed/CAS/Voltage, damaged components.

CPU: | A2 | A1 | B2 | B1 |
A. Testing RAM:
1. Remove ALL RAM
2. Place ONLY the Kingston in A1 & B1
Q - Is 4 GB Recognized?

B. Testing RAM:
1. Remove ALL RAM
2. Place ONLY the Crucial in A1 & B1
Q - Is 4 GB Recognized?

C. Testing RAM and slots:
1. Remove ALL RAM
2. Place ONLY the Crucial in A2 & B2
Q - Is 4 GB Recognized?

The (3) tests are to verify that the RAM itself not DIMM slots are damaged. I am not ruling-out a bad CPU pin which too is a common symptom of missing RAM.

I hate guessing, please Post the EXACT Part-Numbers of BOTH sets of RAM:
Example: KHX1600C9D3K2/4G
If you haven't any idea: 1. printed on DIMM/RAM module, 2. CPUz {SPD tab} see below - http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Theoretical example of Manual Jerry-Rigging; you must use the worst of the sets and 'hope' average Voltage corrects the disparities.
1600 9-9-9-27 @ 1.7V
1333 7-7-8-24 @ 1.5V
================
1333 9-9-9-27 @ 1.6V

CPUz to identify RAM Part-Numbers:

 

[MrWhippy_10]

Thanks very much jaquith, will try those tests over the next day or so and post results.

Cheers,

Chris.

 

[MrWhippy_10]

Just realised that the above post is pretty much unreadable, because im a 'tard.

 

[jaquith]

The resolution is way too low; try it yourself.

I just need the P/N's and slots they're installed.

 

[jaquith]

Cross-post; thanks!

 

[jaquith]

Corsair CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 - slots 2&4
1600 9-9-9-24-(41)-2T @1.65v -slots 1&3
Kingston 9905403-083.A00LF
1333 9-9-9-25-(34)-__ @1.50v

1600 9-9-9-24-(41)-2T @1.65v
1333 9-9-9-25-(34)-__ @1.50v
======================
1333 9-9-9-25-(41)-2T @1.58v~

Smartest approach:
If it were 'me' exchange your Kingston for Corsair {CMX4GX3M2A1600C9} http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260

Jerry-Rigg approach:
Manual - http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=yZD4yFdLw1l3gZ35
1. Move RAM:
Slots - CPU: | A2 | A1 | B2 | B1 |
Corsair A2 & B2
Kingston A1 & B1

2. BIOS Changes:
Do NOT XMP in your BIOS!
Manually set each RAM module:
Speed = 1333 MHz
CAS Timings = 9-9-9-25-(41)-2T ** Failure use 1T ***
DRAM Voltage = ~1.58v

Good Luck!

 

[MrWhippy_10]

Thanks very much for that, looks like I am buying some new ram!

Cheers for the help,

Chris.

 

[jaquith]

Good Luck - Please let us know!

BTW - if after exchanging the RAM you have a failure; refer to your manual and Clear CMOS. Take note of the SATA settings and change them back if needed prior to booting into Windows.