Problem with Ram not being detected

[RaoulV]

Hello,

I have 2 ram slots, that both hold 8gB(default setup). However I noticed that 1 slot is not working. Now Windows only uses 1 slot. In the bios I can also only see 1 slot. The bios diagnostic tools say that there is no error what so ever. I have tested swapping the ram chips/ replacing them, but this did not help.

I don't know when the problem started happening, but it happened a long time ago. When I looked into some logs, I see that I already only had 8gB of ram in 2022(As far back as the logs go). I considered that it might be related to updating to Windows 11, or bios updates around that time.

When I use CPU_Z I can see both ram chips. Also when I boot using linux I can see and use the ram.(I tested that the ram works, by dissabling virtual memory, and then using more then 8GB). This is weird because it uses the same bios, but the bios doesn't see the ram. The bios claims that the second slot is empty. This makes me think that it is a software problem of some kind.

I have tested changing the bios to the earliest that I can find on hp's site, however this didn't help(I rolled back after). My current bios version is "AMI F.16, 7-4-2022". I can't find this version on the hp-bios list for my device on the hp software download pannel. However this may be because I updated to windows 11, and that page is targeting windows 10.

I am not sure what to do now, and was wondering if anyone here has any suggestions. I am already well out of warranty.

(note: I realise that it is likely the simplest to just replace the one of the 8GB sticks with a 16 GB stick, but if this is a software issue of incompatibility of some kind, then I would rather resolve that.)

Edit: My device also has some of the problems that are common with this device, like that allot of keys don't work, however I don't see why these would be related.

[Jupitero]

Hello.

The latest BIOS version is F.22, release a month ago. The reason F.16 is not found is because HP has retracted it due to problems in 2022 - problems with certain memory configurations in fact. Therefore you should first update to the latest F.22 version and see if it helps.

If you decide to upgrade the laptop memory, I recommend replacing them both for performance reason. If both memory modules are identical, the laptop will use them in dual channel mode which enhances memory throughput.

[RaoulV]

Hello, thank you for the response. I wasn't aware that their were memory issues with F.16.

When I try to update the bios, nothing changes and I remain on version F.16. Would you happen to know if there is a log anywhere to see what went wrong? I have tried dissabling all the security features related to memory, but that didn't help.

Edit: When I search for bIos updates from my device, from places like windows update or HP support assistance, it tells me that their are no updates.

[Jupitero]

Hi,

The BIOS update should leave a log file in c:\swsetup\spXXXXXX folder. (the Softpaq update number)

A usual reason is insufficient space in EFI partition. If it is the free space problem, you need to do a bit of cleanup or create a bootable USB key with the BIOS update wizard. If you still can't proceed, post the error here.

Windows Update does not have BIOS updates for every HP computer model. HP Support Assistant only works with supported hardware and OS combinations, but because Windows 11 isn't officially supported by HP with your laptop model, it will not offer any updates - so you might as well just uninstall the whole thing. Only way forward in your case is to monitor the download page every now and then for updates.

[RaoulV]

Thank you for your help. I was unable to find any logs in that folder, however using a usb drive, I was eventually able to install F.22.

Sadly this seems to have done nothing for my problem, however it is good to be off F.16.

[Jupitero]

Hi.

I cannot really say where the problem lays. Your Linux testing seems valid, but I would still recommend testing with e.g. HP UEFI Diagnostics, or something like Memtest86+. UEFI Diagnostics can be started at bootup by pressing ESC when HP Logo is shown, then F2 when the menu appears. It is a small Linux based OS with easy to use diagnostics.

Should it report your whole memory working perfectly I really don't know why Windows cannot address it all.