Installed 32GB but only 16GB being used by my 'HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-ec2004AX'

[TesmiT]

Greetings!

I received my 32 GB of Crucial DDR4 3200Mhz RAM (16GB × 2) today and I have installed it on my 

HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-ec2004AX

To my surprise, it shows only 16GB RAM being available in the TASK Manager and system information.

It shows 29.X GB RAM being committed with 670mb RAM reserved by Hardware.

When I open up software like CPU-Z or HWInfo64, they show that I have attached 32GB of RAm in my laptop but only 16GB being used.

The BIOS information also shows only 16GB RAM being installed.

I ran a BIOS and Windows update after this and nothing helped.

The service manual has shown that it supports upto 32GB of RAM and also many other users have reported installing upto 32GB of RAM without any hassle.

I have proceeded to open up advanced settings in 'msconfig' and also checked if there was a memory limit, which wasn't the case.

I tried updating the number from 16000 to 32000 but it cuts back to 16000 again. So I left it un-ticked just like it was before I opened the application.

I need some assistance regarding solving this issue.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

[TesmiT]

UPDATE:

I was running Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.

I opened it up, tapped on restart and test.

It was running 2 out of 2 around 60% when my laptop ran out of battery and shutdown.

I quickly plugged in the charger and after like 2 minutes, I booted up my laptop. It showed the CMOS reset screen and then proceeded to boot up normally after that. I logged in

It was showing 5% charge and I opened up my task manager

It was SHOWING 31.2GB Usable!!!

It puzzled me because prior to it, it didn't work well.

After like 2 minutes, my laptop restarted on it's own while I was away from it.

Now after booting, it shows back to 15.3GB available.

I have screenshots of both states of the task manager.

I'll attach them below

 

 

[Huffer]

Please identify the exact memory you installed. We have been seeing an uptick in issues with Crucial memory on HP Notebooks. Your laptop can run 32 gigs of compatible memory.

[TesmiT]

UPDATE:

I have tried installing a single 16GB stick along with 8GB stick that was pre-installed in my laptop.

Both sticks in alternate slots to make sure nothing is wrong with a particular slot.

Both worked well. Both got recognised as 24GB total in task manager and HWinfo and CPU-Z.

I have the reports saved and screenshot of the task manager, which I can attach if required.

I tried swapping the 16GB sticks in alternate slots and found out that it shows 16GB only installed.

So in short:-

# 16GB+16GB both slot swapped = 16GB visible and usable

# 16GB+8GB both slot swapped = 24GB visible and usable

[Huffer]

Yes but I asked you to tell us the Crucial Part number of the memory you installed. It is behaving consistently with memory being incompatible. 

[TesmiT]

NOTE:

I have noticed that in the very first config of 16+16GB sticks, the SLOT 1 was being used.

After swapping the sticks, the SLOT 2 is being used.

Attaching the RAM model below.

Both the RAM sticks are the same model as I have ordered them at the same time. Only the serial numbers are different (expected)

[TesmiT]

Excuse my latest 'UPDATE'

We both happened to post the replies at the same time, confusing you with the update as my reply to your post.

I have attached a 'NOTE', which contains the model number.

Hope this helps 🙏

[Huffer]

Well its low density stock timing RAM and should work. But as I said, we have been getting a drumbeat of issues with Crucial memory. Did you buy from Crucial by memory type or from the "finder" by your specific model? Because if the latter Crucial will guarantee compatibility and based on the issues you are having would replace or refund.  

[TesmiT]

Greetings!

I had tried running the RAM checked software from Crucial website but that just keeps running and never gives a result.

On the product finder website though, I get this result.

Please look upon it and tell me if this is exactly my product because I'm still confused :

Crucial Compatibility Webpage

https://www.crucial.in/compatible-upgrade-for/hp-compaq/pavilion-15-ec2004ax

And if it is, the RAM model numbers match with the ones I bought.

I have bought it from amazon directly in a sale :

The RAM buying link

https://amzn.eu/d/clFqz2f

Also UPDATE:

My Laptop went through a BSoD and had to run repairs but I made it continue to Windows normally and it forgot my PIN and logged out of Microsoft account.

I logged back in and put the old PIN as new and everything was fine.

[Huffer]

You have the exact memory Crucial list on the page for your model so Crucial should stand behind it. I would run a full memory test on the modules. The BSOD is not a good sign. Make a bootable memtest86 thumb drive and run the full extended test on the memory modules:

https://www.memtest86.com/tech_creating-window.html

This can take several hours but gives every sector of the memory a hard workout and will 100% identify problems. Not impossible to get a bad new stick of RAM