Windows 10: RAM ISSUE. Only 2GB usable of 6.

@cromat18 In an unrelated item, it seems there's been a battery recall on your computer: HP Notebook Computer Battery Safety Recall and Replacement Program

Chapter 1 Product Description, Page 1 under Memory, it shows two customer accessible/upgradable memory module slots.

Memory
Two customer-accessible/upgradable memory module slots
Support for DDR3L (1600-MHz
) at 1.35V dual channel
Support for 16834-MB of system RAM
in the following configurations

16834-MB (8192-MB×2)
12288-MB (8192-MB+4096-MB)
8192-MB (8192-MB×1, 4096-MB×2)
6144-MB (4096-MB+2048-MB

 

@cromat18 - Now that you know the RAM (Memory) isn't soldered into your motherboard, proceed to test what may/may not be going on with it, following instructions posted by others.

If you choose to do this, go to Chapter 5 Removal and replacement procedures for Customer Self-Repair parts beginning on Page 28 of the user manual Fafhrd linked to.

I always read at least three times before diving in. If you don't feel comfortable with the procedure, maybe you have a family member or buddy who can handle the task.

 

This pdf indicates that it can use up to 3247MB of shared memory for graphics http://media.flixcar.com/f360cdn/HP-...-c04802095.pdf

 

Thanks everybody I will try what you've told me. I hope this works

 

And must be set to use every bit of its share, Clam!

 

Cromat, if you do open things up in your computer, you might want to replace the 2 GB module with a 4 GB memory module; that way you should at least get a bit more speed. Before buying a 4 GB module, be sure it will be recognized. A 6 GB one would be even better.

I hate that HP and other OEMs build the graphics into their motherboards; thus, your computer has to share its memory with graphics!

 

Wonder if it's got one of those hidden advanced Bios settings that some HP stuff has, as there seems to nothing on the net about changing the value, a few moans about not being able to increase it from 512MB though!
I suppose it could be allocated based on how much Ram is installed?
HP always seems to equal problems in my book, used to hate it when I had one in for repair!

 

Yeah . . . it got to where I hated to see an HP come in as badly as I hated seeing Gateways arrive. *Mad2

 

I'm back and see that you have plenty of help and in good hands. Please don't hesitate to ask questions even if you think it's silly. There are no such things.

Good luck.

 

Memory modules come in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB sizes. To get 3GB, 5GB, 6GB, etc., requires a combination of 2 [or 4 on desktops] with one usually being half the size of the other, i.e. 2+1, 4+2, 8+4, 16+8, etc. The much smaller sizes of 128MB, 256MB, 512MB are seldom worked with now, another case of technology marching on.

 

Well, shoot! I shoulda known. Wasn't thinking, though. *Sad What is strange, though is that it came with only 6 GB. Why on earth did they put in a 2 GB and a 4 GB! Why not two 4s, since it's pretty much the same price now days.

 

Back Cover from EBay listing: http://i.imgsafe.org/5fee972a95.jpg

Some Models You can remove the back cover by removing the screws then (CAREFULLY) prying all around the perimeter, but You usually break the tabs and it'll never fit right again.


ADDED: Earlier Win 8.1 Models with the FX-7500 had a back cover like this one o Newegg: http://i.imgsafe.org/60210b63ca.jpg

 

I got an 15.6" HP Notebook a few years ago and it had 3 inexpensive upgrades offered, HDD to 650GB from 500GB, Bluetooth Wireless and 6GB RAM versus 4GB. It was an interesting purchase, bought online from HP, got an E-Mail 2 days later that it was shipped, got it 5 days after that. Most interesting part of all that is that it came directly from the assembly plant in China, never actually was in a US facility of HPs.

 

It's a way of getting rid of excess stock 2GB SODIMM memory modules - which are otherwise pretty near useless when more than 4 GB is standard - to offer an inexpensive U/G to 6 GB from 4GB.

 

FYI... Some laptops actually do have RAM modules soldered in place. My Asus Zenbook Prime laptop DOES have it's modules soldered and in an thus can't be upgraded, therefore I'm stuck with only 4-gig of RAM.

Asus Zenbook Prime - UX31A (Service) - "RAM upgrades are not possible as they are soldered onto the mainboard to keep things compact"

But yes, some laptops actually do have RAM soldered in.