Windows 10: 4GB out of 8 GB usable - how to fix?

Why is Windows reserving half of my RAM? How can I release it? Is my GPU stealing it? It has 4GB on the card.








Specs

PSU: Cougar STX 650W 80 Plus
Mobo: Asrock A75M-HVS P1.80
Processor: AMD Llano A6-3650 2.60GHz Socket FM1
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR31866Mhz Memory Kit CL9 1.5V
GPU: XFX Radeon R9 380 4GB
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini Series Micro ATX Case - Black Pearl




:)

 

3,25 GB usable out of 4GB on Windows 10 x32, after adding a new RAM stick.

OK I found this on the site:

The Alfresco setup wizard for Windows is for 64-bit systems. It is not suitable for use on 32-bit environments.

Basically what they are saying here is that the install (and the program) are 64-bit.

So they will not run on a 32-bit Windows. So in fact it is more a problem with not having a 64-bit Windows than it is about exactly how much memory you have.

 

3,25 GB usable out of 4GB on Windows 10 x32, after adding a new RAM stick.

People have been feeding you malarkey.

AMD had a 64-bit processor before Intel had one.

In fact the very first Windows to support 64-bit was for AMD only.

Your processor is a 64-bit processor.

If you select: Start -> Settings -> System -> About, it should say: x64-based processor

The main difficulty with changing from 32-bit to 64-bit is that you can't do it as an upgrade.

You need to backup your personal files, do the clean install removing everything, and then after Windows 10 64-bit is installed, restore your data files.

Also I should mention that with 4 GB you will not see much of an increase in memory, maybe none. The memory that overlaps the video memory can't be relocated. Also because a 64-bit address programs will use a bit more memory. It isn't double because not
every instruction has an address in it, but you can figure that it will be about 1.25 to 1.5 more in memory. So unless you are going to go to at least 6GB, or better yet 8GB it probably isn't worth doing. Also if you have some very old programs, like created
before Windows XP, they might be 16-bit programs and will not run on a 64-bit operating system. A 32-bit operating system can run 16 and 32 bit programs. A 64 bit operating system can run 32 and 64 bit programs. Also all your drivers will now have to be
64-bit for a 64 bit operating system.

The licensing for 32-bit/64-bit is the same.

Here is the details on the procedure.

How to migrate to Windows 10 64 bit from 32 bit versions of Windows

 

Type MSCONFIG in run command, go to boot tab then click advanced options and make sure maximum memory is not checked.
Just put in this RAM ? Check in the BIOS to see what it shows as RAM total there.

 

You could also try removing a 4GB stick out, then swap it with the other and see whether it resolves the problem.

 

MSCONFIG maximum memory is not ticked. BIOS looks like this:

 

I tried this with some skepticism, but it has worked! How weird, and how did you know to try that?

 

Weird how BIOS showed it as correct before this, yes this would of been the next step.

 

Even more strange that Windows indeed reported 8 GB (at least installed) to start with and then deemed it all useable after a stick swap?

I would have otherwise guessed that one of the sticks wasn't correctly and completely seated in its socket until after the swap.

 

I have been dealing with DDR4 RAM PC won't even boot properly if not seated just right, very particular RAM. Believe before the swap the BIOS showed all 8GB, which i felt was odd.

 

I'm glad for you, my fellow members in this forum have helped me immensely and I help others whenever I can with the little knowledge acquired over a period*Smile

 

brummyfan, no need to be apologetic. We all do the best we can and you are doing just fine.

 

Many times it is just that the RAM isn't seated properly. I'd be willing to bet you could now probably switch them back to original slots and your problem would remain solved.

 

your memory is running in single mode, dual channel mode should be faster

 

I had a similar situation: a single 8 GB module, which of course caused single channel mode. I replaced the single module with two 4 GB modules and the result was a visible faster system, using Kodi Jarvis RC1.

YMMV,

Bart