Windows 10: Half my RAM is hardware reserved

Hi,


Recently, I added 4GB of RAM to my computer, bringing it up to 8GB. However, it appears that all this has done is increase the Hardware Reserved Memory to 4.3GB. In other words, I am getting absolutely no benefit from the additional RAM.


Following advice given elsewhere in this forum, I have:

-- Done a repair reinstall of Windows 10 (not a full reinstall)

-- Checked, and then unchecked, the box for Maximum Memory in MSCONFIG

-- Updated my BIOS


Using Resource Monitor, I cannot identify any hardware that is claiming a high level of RAM.


What can I do? Do I have to do a full reinstall of Windows?


I'm running Microsoft Windows Education (64-bit)

AMD FX-4100 quad-core processor, 3600 MHz

MSInfo32 shows 8.0GB RAM "installed physical memory," 3.73GB "total physical memory"

:)

 

Half RAM allocated to "Hardware Reserve"

 

Half RAM allocated to "Hardware Reserve"


Hello everyone. I really hope you can help me. I'm at the end of my rope.

First off, my specs:
Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 mobo
AMD FX 8350 CPU
2 x G skill 4 GB sticks
EVGA 660 Ti GPU
OS on SSD
2 x 1 TB mechanical drives

Only half my RAM is showing as usable. The rest is shoved into hardware reserved. It doesn't matter what channels I use or even what RAM I use, it cuts whatever is in there by HALF. I even tried 4 sticks, cuts 16GB into 8GB.

I've tried CLEAN installs of Windows 10 AND 8.1, still cuts in half.

I've send mobo back to gigabyte, they tested and found no problem.

I tried a different CPU, still cut in half.

I tried different GPU, still RAM halved.

I've tried editing registry, unchecking that box for "maximum memory" in the msconfig boot menu. I've looked all through the BIOS and tweeked different settings. Nothing.

I'm hoping someone can help. I don't know what else to do here.

Included are screenshots.

 

Half RAM allocated to "Hardware Reserve"


I have almost same configuration and this is what it looks like here:



May be important that I'm using BIOS, not UEFI.