Elitebook 745 G3 Recognizes only 8GB RAM vs 16GB installed (2x 8GB sticks)

[PrfyVdlxSg]

I managed to get the motherboard of my 745 G3 laptop replaced, and the big question for me now is that the laptop only recognizes 8GB in Windows 10 64 bit.

If I go to Setup, the BIOS will see 2x 8GB sticks.

But in Windows, Task Manager, System Information - these will show only 8GB RAM.

I installed CPU-Z, and it sees 2 8GB RAM modules, in Slot #1 and #2.

I have updated to the latest BIOS. What could be done to make Windows 10 recognize 16GB RAM?

Please help. Thank you!

[banhien]

@PrfyVdlxSg 

Please try

• Press and Hold the Windows key and Press R. Type msconfig in the Run dialog box and Press Enter.
• The System Configuration window will open. Go to the Boot tab in it.
• Select your Operating system from the list below if you have more than one. Now Click on the Advanced Options button.
• On the upper right corner, Clear the checkbox next to Maximum memory. Click Ok.

Regards.

[PrfyVdlxSg]

@Banhien,

Thank you for your quick reply.

So I tried the steps that you prescribed, even tried to tick (which shows 16xxxMB) max memory, tried to untick, but Task Manager still shows 8GB max.

In System Information, it shows 'Installed Physical Memory (RAM): 16.0 GB'

Is there another way to fix this? Is this a common problem?

Let me know, please. Thank you!

[PrfyVdlxSg · Accepted solution]

@Banhien,

Just to give an update on this query.

After many trials and errors, searching (almost) the whole worldwide web, I finally made the laptop recognize 16GB of RAM.

CPU-Z, System Information, and BIOS all display 16GB total memory. Task Manager shows 8GB. Then I read in below forum about the same problem: Windows reports half of the installed RAM, or that Windows reports RAM size with a huge chunk missing. It was as if I raised these questions myself.

BIOS shows 16GB of memory but windows only shows 8GB

Why Task Manager is showing lesser RAM than installed? [duplicate]

I learned from these discussions about RAM being tagged as Hardware Reserved. I didn't know that, so I checked as instructed. And yes, more than 8GB of RAM is under hardware reserved. Reason? Motherboard defect, RAM stick incompatibility, RAM slots issue, etc.

There is also the Video RAM Sharing which I suspected, but I believe does not apply to my laptop. One if from HP Community, and what @Huffer answered I learned a lot:

How to Increase Dedicated Video RAM (VRAM) in Windows 10

Can I adjust my shared video ram?

Before I replaced the motherboard (the one that got spoilt after BIOS update), I have had an issue of the 8GB RAM stick not being recognized when installed in Slot 1; it was in Slot 2 (further from the CPU). That was the original RAM stick that came with the laptop.

From that experience, I bought 2 RAM sticks together with the A12 motherboard, and have requested the seller to test both, fearing that I may not get a compatible RAM later on. I paid extra because of that. Anyway, I now have 3 RAM sticks. The new RAM sticks came in the standard casing, and it did not occur to me that the placement in Slot 1 or 2 would cause some issues.

Then came the problem: 16GB installed, Windows sees only 8GB.

But after reading through those forum discussions, I took to elimination mode: [1] motherboard is new, and RAM sticks were tested with the mobo. [2] Both RAM slots are working. [3] Both RAM sticks are new and of the same make/type/speed.

I was left with trying (again) single RAM in Slot 1 since I have confirmed that single RAM in Slot 2 works. Guess what? The old 8GB RAM stick does not work in Slot 1. Left me with the 2 new RAM sticks to try. Took one, put in Slot 1, power on, no screen, and caps lock light blinks. Force shut down. The other remaining RAM stick, I put in Slot 1, and it worked! The laptop booted up properly and 8GB showed (which is correct). After installing the other new RAM stick in Slot 2, the laptop booted up and then voila! Task Manager now shows 16GB. I went to Resource Monitor, and Hardware Reserved now shows around 1000MB. This was also confirmed in System Information: installed, 16 GB, total, 14.9 GB.

So this problem is solved. I have listed all the info here and I hope that it will be of help to somebody else who may face the same problem.

I just want to say thank you for all the attention and support rendered to me. Thank you!