When you encounter an issue where only a portion of your RAM is usable (e.g., 5.9 GB out of 8 GB), it can be due to several reasons such as hardware reservations, BIOS settings, or operating system limitations. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you diagnose and fix the problem:
Step 1: Check Windows Settings
- Open System Information:
- Press
Windows + R
to open the Run dialog box. - Type
msconfig
and press Enter.
- Press
- Check Memory Settings:
- In the System Configuration window, go to the
Boot
tab. - Click on
Advanced options
. - Make sure the
Maximum memory
box is unchecked. If it is checked, uncheck it and click OK. - Click Apply and then OK to close the System Configuration window.
- Restart your computer.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the
Step 2: Check BIOS/UEFI Settings
Restart Your Computer: Reboot your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. This is typically done by pressing a key like Del, F2, F10, Esc, or F12 during startup.
Check Memory Settings:
- Navigate to the
Advanced
orSystem Configuration
tab (the exact names may vary depending on your BIOS/UEFI version). - Look for any options related to memory settings or integrated graphics.
- Ensure that the integrated graphics does not reserve an excessive amount of RAM. If your system has a dedicated GPU, you may want to disable the integrated graphics.
- Navigate to the
Update BIOS/UEFI:
- Ensure your BIOS/UEFI firmware is up to date. Visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest version and follow their instructions for updating.
Step 3: Check Physical RAM Installation
Turn Off and Unplug: Shut down your computer and unplug it from the power source.
Open the Case:
- If you have a desktop, open the case to access the RAM slots.
- If you have a laptop, remove the bottom cover to access the RAM.
Reseat the RAM Modules:
- Carefully remove each RAM module from its slot and then reinsert it, ensuring it is seated correctly.
- If you have multiple RAM sticks, try using each one individually to check if one of them is faulty.
Check for Dust and Debris:
- Ensure there is no dust or debris in the RAM slots that could affect the connection.
Step 4: Check for Operating System Limitations
Check Windows Version:
- Ensure you are using a 64-bit version of Windows, as 32-bit versions have a lower RAM limit.
- Press
Windows + I
to open Settings, then go toSystem > About
. Check the “System type” to see if it says “64-bit operating system”.
Check for Windows Updates:
- Ensure your operating system is up to date. Go to
Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
and check for updates.
- Ensure your operating system is up to date. Go to
Step 5: Check for Resource Allocation
Open Resource Monitor:
- Press
Windows + R
to open the Run dialog box. - Type
resmon
and press Enter.
- Press
Analyze Memory Usage:
- In Resource Monitor, go to the
Memory
tab. - Check the “Hardware Reserved” section. If a significant amount of memory is reserved for hardware, this could be limiting your usable RAM.
- In Resource Monitor, go to the
Step 6: Perform a Clean Boot
Open System Configuration:
- Press
Windows + R
, typemsconfig
, and press Enter.
- Press
Enable Clean Boot:
- In the System Configuration window, go to the
Services
tab. - Check
Hide all Microsoft services
, then clickDisable all
. - Go to the
Startup
tab and clickOpen Task Manager
. - Disable all startup items in Task Manager.
- Close Task Manager and click OK in the System Configuration window.
- Restart your computer and see if the usable RAM increases.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the
Step 7: Check for Malware
- Run a Full System Scan: Use your antivirus software to perform a full system scan to ensure no malware is affecting your system performance.
Step 8: Consult Professional Help
If you have tried all the steps above and the issue persists, it might be a hardware problem that requires professional diagnostics. Contact your computer’s manufacturer support or a professional technician.
“By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and fix the issue of only part of your RAM being usable. Each step addresses different potential causes, and together they cover the most common reasons for this problem”