Installed 16 GB of RAM, with 8 GB reserved for system use?
Installed 16 GB of RAM, with 8 GB reserved for system use?
Hello, thanks for reaching out!
I've been using this system for years without any RAM problems. I have two 8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz sticks in a MSI 970A-G43, but only 8 GB is available, with the rest marked as "hardware reserved" in the task manager (https://imgur.com/a/ilhHamg).
I've rearranged the sticks and the issue still exists.
I've tested using just one 8 GB stick, and no RAM gets reserved.
I've also tried a mix of 8 GB and 4 GB, but only 4 GB gets reserved.
I consulted chatGPT for advice and reviewed all the tips, but the problem remains unresolved.
I checked the BIOS settings, but nothing seems to fix it.
What other steps can I take to restore normal operation?
Thanks in advance!
What BIOS version is installed on your motherboard? You might want to attempt clearing the CMOS to potentially make adjustments.
BIOS Version: V17.18B3
Just reset CMOS but the problem continues.
Have you checked both sticks individually in the same slot? It’s important to confirm there isn’t a faulty stick. Your tests with a 4 GB and an 8 GB unit don’t provide much value because the board might not function properly with two different sticks. Also, are you certain the two 8 GB units come from the same RAM package (same sealed case)? It seems the motherboard can only handle up to 8 GB, which could indicate an issue with the RAM, the board, or the CPU.
I've tested both sticks in each slot individually, one at a time. No ram gets set aside in these situations. It's only when another stick is added to the MB that 8gb is reserved.
Yes, the rams come from the same package. The board has functioned well with these ram sticks over many years.
Ok so the RAM is likely fine and since a CMOS reset didn't solve the issue, it's probably a hardware problem with either the motherboard or the CPU. It's a DDR3 system so I assume it's pretty old.
What CPUz says about the memory (Memory tab)?
I see that MSI released the last BIOS version for this board in 2016, and AMD released the latest chipset driver for the 780G in 2018 (for Windows 10). You could try to update to the latest versions, just in case it could help.
But if it's an hardware issue with the board, there's nothing you can do yourself. You could try to bring it to a shop to have it repaired but it would likely cost more than the motherboard's value. Maybe someone else here will have another idea but to me it looks like a case of "you have to live with it or replace it".