Hardware Reserved Memory Windows 7 Pro 64Bit

Munimentum · 24 Dec 2009 at 21:24

I recently upgraded my RC of windows 7 to Pro 64 bit and started having an issue.

I have 4GB of memory installed in my system, however I actually only apparently have access to 1791MB of it:

As you can see, my 1024MB 4800 is being given an extra 600 or so memory, and I'm thinking perhaps it's counting that twice since I have 2 monitors plugged into it and thus using an extra 1200MB of memory (which would account for the missing 1GB from what I would usually be getting.) Is this the cause?

I tried to re-overclock my computer and ended up using defaults on the bios of my IP35 Pro, I'm wondering if anyone who has experience with this mobo knows if there is a setting somewhere which would account for the additional hardware reserved memory (Which didn't exist before I don't believe) or if it is something else which is causing this.

Also, the memory usage you see on task manager there is from the desktop, with only stuff like antivirus, firefox and msn being used. Is there a reason over 65% of my memory is being used (even at 1791MB max) when the computer is idle on desktop?

Munimentum · 24 Dec 2009 at 22:46

I did tick the "maximum memory" a while back which actually fixed this issue. However, now when I try to input "4096" as max memory, when I go back in it has "0" and when I restart my comp I actually have 1GB useable memory instead of 1791MB.

Here is what my msconfig advanced options looks like:

Munimentum · 27 Dec 2009 at 01:04

Unfortunately I don't think the Abit IP35-Pro that I have has that option in the bios, so I don't think that would work for me

Munimentum · 28 Dec 2009 at 14:07

Well, I've had this computer for 2 years now and this issue only recently occured, so I'm not sure if the cpu could suddenly have too much pressure on it, could it?

I'd rather not reseat the CPU either since I'd be too afraid of messing something up

(Thanks so much for all the replies btw, I appreciate the help hugely <3)

Munimentum · 29 Dec 2009 at 22:57

So does anyone know any other ways of fixing this?

Munimentum · 30 Dec 2009 at 14:04

I used an upgrade disc and wiped the current partition (used the custom install). Did this incase drivers were causing my old BSOD issue (they weren't

)

I believe bios only detects 2 GB of my memory (like 1890000 or something is the number there I think). Do you think this is my problem? Because obviously windows can see the 4GB of memory fine (As can CPU-Z and stuff)

Munimentum · 2 Jan 2010 at 22:24

Ok I believe I have figured out the problem.

I took your advice and switched ram slots around a bit. Apparently the first ram slot of my mobo is ****ed, but slots 2 and 4 (presumeably 3 too) work fine so I have 2GB only in my system now and actually have more available ram than I did when I had 4GB in LOL.

It didn't work when I had slot 3 with a 1GB stick in also, so I assume you can't use it without slot 1 having something in aswell, I dunno, or maybe slot 3 is screwed also.

There is a similar thread to this one in which someone also fixed this by doing the same thing who shut his computer off and had it broken again. Luckily I leave my computer on standby so hopefully won't have the same issue.

So, if you have this issue, try taking ram out, getting to desktop then shut your comp down. Put the ram back in and get back to desktop. It might solve your problem. If you're monitors get no signal, you probably have what I have: a bad memory slot on your mobo.

Thank you everyone for all the help and your contributions, apparently a huge amount of people have this problem and hopefully this solution works for everyone.