1/2 of my 8GB RAM Reserved for hardware?

Scania

Scania

Scania

Caporegime
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On the road....
I have Windows 10 x64, I've noticed in my system information from control panel that it says I have 8.00GB installed Ram but only 3.99GB is useable.

CPU-z confirms my system is picking up both sticks (2x4GB 1333 DDR3) as does my BIOS.

I've opened up Resource Monitor and sure enough it says I have installed 8192MB RAM but 4105 is Hardware reserved...


Any ideas why its doing this and, more to the point how I get it back please?

I have an i7 870 @3.8 (currently back at stock whilst I troubleshoot)

MSI P55-GD65 (MS-7583) Motherboard

2x4GB Crucial 1333 DDR 3


I've Googled this and tried a few suggested options such as reseating my RAM, checking BIOS settings etc but to no avail so far.

Any help / pointers appreciated, its driving me nuts!

Thanks.
 
I was going to say check if memory is allocated to the onboard graphics, but the 870 doesn't have a GPU.

Long shot: Run msconfig, go to the boot tab and click on advanced options. Make sure "maximum memory" is unticked.
 
zola25 said:
I was going to say check if memory is allocated to the onboard graphics, but the 870 doesn't have a GPU.
Click to expand...

My first thought too, my board has no onboard either...



zola25 said:
Long shot: Run msconfig, go to the boot tab and click on advanced options. Make sure "maximum memory" is unticked.
Click to expand...

Tired that, no joy, even tried setting it to 8192 (to match my RAM) no joy either.


I'm now faffing about with trying things like disabling fast boot etc (pulling suggestions from Google) no doubt this will continue until I bork it completely! :o :D

Thanks for the suggestion matey. :)
 
Which slots have you got the ram in? Should be 2nd and 4th away from cpu I think. What happens if you only use 1 stick of memory?
Andi.
 
I've tried one stick and it gives me 4GB 1.99GB available, it does the same if I replace it with the other stick :/

If I put the ram in my other slots, the machine won't boot, which is a quirk of this board apparently and caused be no end of grief when I first built it!
 
I reinstalled 10 the other night after an unrelated issue, so tried the revert back to 7 option to see if anything changed (having put my 8GB back in) it's still reporting 8GB 3.99GB available! :/
 
Orcvader said:
Is there anything in BIOS about memory mapping? Maybe try reseat the CPU?
Click to expand...

Well, my re-install was after my old CPU cooler fan failed, causing overheating issues and - I think - corrupting my old install, I've bought a new cooler which has lowered my temps beautifully and am a bit reluctant to pull it apart again (never seen my i7 so cool!) surely if my CPU wasn't seated right I wouldn't be typing this to now???

Can't see much in the BIOS tbh, I'll have yet another look.
 
Well, I remember something with the LGA1366 socket having a similar problem, where the memory controller on the CPU didn't make proper contact due to the cooler being on tightly. Might be the same for you.
 
Orcvader said:
Well, I remember something with the LGA1366 socket having a similar problem, where the memory controller on the CPU didn't make proper contact due to the cooler being on tightly. Might be the same for you.
Click to expand...

I've just googled this and it appears the same thing happened with LGA1156 (my socket) I guess loosening the screws a tad won't hurt? - it was on tight I do admit...

I'll give it a try. :)
 
Just loosened the mounting screws for my CPU cooler slightly,the ones that apply pressure to the CPU if you see what I mean, no change alas. :(
 
What about a BIOS update?
Also have a close look at the CPU pins (or socket pins) :-)
Whilst I'm at it you really have installed W10 64 haven't you? Just checking, what does Windows say?
Also does your bios have a cpu/graphics setting for frame buffer? can it be reduced.
Andi.
 
Last edited:
andicole0 said:
What about a BIOS update?
Also have a close look at the CPU pins (or socket pins) :-)
Whilst I'm at it you really have installed W10 64 haven't you? Just checking, what does Windows say?
Also does your bios have a cpu/graphics setting for frame buffer? can it be reduced.
Andi.
Click to expand...

Updated to the latest BIOS I could find on the MSI website, its changed a few menus in the BIOS but the problem persists and I don't see anything obvious in the BIOS to change - I've changed most things, testing and going back to default - all with no change.

I'll pull it apart tomorrow and have a good look at the CPU socket pins.


I was previously running 10 x64 without issue for months, then re-installed 10 after a failed CPU cooler fan caused an overheat which seemed to corrupy my install yesterday where this problem arose.

I have tried rolling back to 7 (I installed 10 by first putting on 7 then upgrading, I couldn't find my USB stick with 10 on it :o) but the problem persists.

Your help is appreciated. :)
 
I have heard instances of a bent pin causing this effect so I suppose an overheated cpu could cause damage to the same pin/contact circuitry.
Might be looking at a new cpu/motherboard.
Andi.
 
It certainly seems most likely that the hardware damage is what's causing the problem. Question is why your motherboard allowed a failed CPU fan to overheat the system?
 
Progress!

I've loosened the cooler on my CPU much more than I'd have thought wise, but the temps are still good and, above all, I suddenly have 8.00GB available again! :) the hardware reserved has dropped from 4105MB Hardware reserved to 9MB which I think I can live with!

I'd have never thought a tight CPU cooler could cause such an issue, bar the reserved memory the system has been running fine, last nights BF4 session with my mates was great,I was expecting a stutter fest but tbh it ran it without issue!??!

As for the CPU overheat in the first place, that was down to my fan burning out (with smoke!) and my BIOS being incorrectly setup, now fixed.


Thanks all for the suggestions & help, my sanity is restored. :)
 
Phew that was looking dodgy for a while, have you removed the CPU to check for bent pins, there may be one that's just off.
Andi.
 
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