Intermittent hardware reserved memory

Usersd

Usersd

Usersd

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29 Sep 2020
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3
So, I'm nearly pulling my hair out with this one.

I've got a system, FX8320, 970a-ud3, rx580, 8gb ram. It's crap, I know.

I can't get it to show more than 6 or 7 GB of ram on the task manager (with the remainder showing up as hardware reserved). It's a bit of a Frankenstein setup with 2 Gskill and 2 Kingston sticks. (Don't judge me, can't spare the money for an upgrade right now, maybe in a few months)

It always had this problem. In the past, I've been able to get it to detect and use all 8GB through sheer blind luck only, by resetting, re-seating the sticks, and clearing the BIOS memory repeatedly (and I do mean dozens of times) until all 8gb show up. After they do, it usually keeps that way until the BIOS is cleared or the ram is removed.

Now I need to do it again, and I'm having no luck. I can say I tried pretty much everything.

Sticks test fine individually
DIMMS test fine individually
Sticks test fine in pairs
DIMMS test fine in pairs

Stick all 4 of them in, either 6gb or 7gb show up.

Tried every order for the sticks. I've numbered them.
Tried cleaning out the DIMMS with isopropanol.
Tried cleaning out the stick contacts with isopropanol.
Tried upping the frequency.
Tried decreasing the frequency.
Tried to overvolt or undervolt.
Tried to manually assign timings.
Tried turning off power saving features and boost in the CPU.
Tried updating the BIOS.
Tried clearing the BIOS. Numerous times.
Tried rank interleaving.
Tried channel interleaving.
Tried re-seating, countless times.
Tried praying and crying in frustration.

I've done all of these in the past, eventually got it to detect the 8gb with no discernible pattern. Last time I did it, it was with stock BIOS settings after a CMOS clear. I've saved that profile. It doesn't work.

Either this is something painfully and stupidly obvious I'm missing and missed repeatedly, or some form of forgotten witchcraft... I'm nearly going insane...

Please help

/Edit: spelling
 
That's quite a list - you've clearly tried to eliminate all possible direct memory causes. I understand your frustration.

It may be an indirect issue - referred annoyance.

  • How old and what brand/model is your PSU?
  • Are the two different brands of memory the same timings/voltage? (although you will have covered this with your diagnostics - as long as you matched the lesser memory frequency/timings and upped voltage slightly)
  • Have you tried a different GPU?
  • If no GPU available try with all none essential devices unplugged from the motherboard.
  • Download CPUz and see what that detects.
  • Long shot - change motherboard battery if not done so already - probably close to dead.
 
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Plec said:
That's quite a list - you've clearly tried to eliminate all possible direct memory causes. I understand your frustration.

It may be an indirect issue - referred annoyance.

  • How old and what brand/model is your PSU?
  • Are the two different brands of memory the same timings/voltage? (although you will have covered this with your diagnostics - as long as you matched the lesser memory frequency/timings and upped voltage slightly)
  • Have you tried a different GPU?
  • If no GPU available try with all none essential devices plugged into the motherboard.
  • Download CPUz and see what that detects.
  • Long shot - change motherboard battery if not done so already - probably close to dead.
Click to expand...

The PSU is an FSP hexa 450w. It has a few (about 5 I think) years behind it. However, it has been able to push this system even @ 4.0Ghz on full load without issues, so I doubt it's the PSU. I can probably take readings with my multimeter from the back of the molex plugs if necessary.

The memories have different voltages and timings. I've matched them, still boots with 7gb available only.

Haven't tried a different GPU. I'll have to check if I have a old one that still works to test. Otherwise I can get a friend to lend me one most likely.

Cpu-z detects all of the ram, same as the motherboard.

Never changed the battery. It has a few years. I don't think I have a spare lying around, I'll buy a replacement.
 
Plec said:
Quick simple test - try this first and needs changing anyway.
Click to expand...

Got some time to mess around with the system again. Changed the battery, same result.

Both the existing battery and the replacement test proper voltage with the multimeter, so the batteries are good. No luck there.

Going to try formatting the system in case there's some OS issue.

Edit: Formatted the OS, got it detects all 8gb now. Probably some windows low level shenanigans going around. I had already gonna through major suspects in the OS, so this is preplexing to me...

Anyway there it is folks. If you ever have unexplainable hardware reserved RAM, windows might just be the culprit.
 
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I don't know anything about that particular CPU, but two things occur to me. Some motherboards hated mixes of RAM, ie different types of RAM on the same board, and some hated double or single sided or mixes thereof. So I my first port of call here would be to consider that the motherboard simply doesn't like the mix or type or RAM you are installing. A typical reaction when you plug in the wrong typen or a mismatch is the BIOS recognizes less than you just plugged in.
 
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