Windows 10: Hardware reserved RAM even if one RAM slot is used

This is what happened when I use this computer. When I boot up, it boots normally, but when I log in to my account on Windows, the task manager said it consumed more than 40% of RAM. With only one slot of 4 GB RAM used, half a gig of ram was hardware reserved.


I went into BIOS, which is an HP Insyde version that was used in my computer, an HP laptop made in early 2013 with Windows 8 built in. This screenshot was taken at Windows 10 20H2 version. The BIOS doesn't have render standby, iGPU support, or multimonitor. However, the BIOS is currently up to date.


The maximum memory in advanced settings were unchecked, but if it was checked, the hardware reserved RAM increases by another half a gig, making the reserved RAM 1 gig and 3 GB accessible. If maximum memory was unchecked, the memory was 3.5 GB.

:)

 

Ram slot

Greetings my friend. Like 'Mike P', my dell has only two slots as well. There are several laptops that have four (4) ram slots. Lenovo, ASUS, some HP's and some dell's. I would suggest going to a website like newegg.com, or other computer accessory place,
and looking at their memory/ram selections. Reading their details should provide some insight as to the number of slots.

Of course, if your budget allows, the more ram you have, the better the laptop will be.

I hope this helps.

Derek

 

Hardware Reserved 4GB (DIMM Slot 1B)

So recently my task manager started showing that only 12GB of my 16GB DDR3 RAM in Dual Channel was available stating "Hardware Reserved 4.0 GB"

These are the steps I've currently taken to attempt to rectify the issue.

1. Flashed BIOS
   
2. Wiped OS and installed to a new drive
   
3. Set max page file size to recommended (2.5GB)
   
4. Maximum memory isn't enabled in advanced boot options
   
5. Replaced the odd stick of RAM (I had a Kingston HyperX Fury) with the same model (now all Corsair Vengeance) so now all sticks match
   
6. Resetting CMOS fixed it for a few hours before returning.
   

I want to avoid the idea that the DIMM slot is faulty due to a CMOS reset fixing it (even if temporarily).

The RAM I'm using is: CMZ12GX3M3A1600C9 (3) and CMZ4GX3M1A1600C9 (1) Both the same model of RAM, but the 3 came in a kit for 12GB whilst the other came as a single kit of 4GB, hence the slight difference in the part numbers.

The motherboard I'm using is 990FXA-UD3 R5.

I'm asking as a seperate question due to the fact I've tried every other suggestion in the other questions and now feel that my situation is unique enough for it's own question.

 

Windows 10 using 4GB reserved RAM

would windows be able to read the RAM if this was the case (defect in MOBO)? I thought that myself that maybe there is something wrong with RAM slot or board where the BIOS only seems to detect 4GB however I just find it very odd how windows still detects
the Ram and uses it, but uses it only as hardware reserved. I suppose anything is possible though