8 GB Installed, Only 3.48 GB Usable

[Brownbailey]

I have a Pavilion g4-1264ca running Windows 7 Home Premium (x64). I have a matched pair of  4GB sticks (8GB total RAM).  Both the BIOS and OS verify that 8GB are installed, yet I only have 3.48GB usable.

The sticks have been tried in both slots with the same results.

The BIOS has been updated from HP.  The BIOS does not have an option for memory remapping or memory extension. The update did not change anything.

I've tried checking and unchecking Maximum memory in Win 7 msconfig with no change.
Fan speed runs a bit high, otherwise it all seems to be functioning normally. 
How do I get the usable RAM above 4GB?

[Nuccii]

Where do you see 3.48GB usable?

You say that the fan speed is a bit high. what is your current CPU usage in Task Manager under the Performance tab.

[Brownbailey]

Fan speed/noise is higher obviously when CPU usage is higher.  I just did a fresh re-install of Win 7, so currently there are no programs on it.  CPU averaging 3% and fan speed is normal.  Saw it spike up to almost 40% when opening IE (generally prefer to use Chrome but not yet re-installed).  It's showing around  60% Maximum Frequency. When CPU is high, fan speed is high.  Did the re-install hoping to fix RAM issue, and then focus on lowering CPU usage.  Fan vents are clean and open, lots of air flow, generally on a cooling pad, <Fans always on> is disabled in BIOS, etc.

[Nuccii]

It is normal for the CPU to spike on a fresh reinstall.  It takes a day or two to settle down while while if finishes configuring itself.  Yes the spiking is something to look at but not for now until it settles. 

Most applications will not use up more than 50% of your CPU for an extended period of time.   It it starts going to 100% then you will have to look at what processes are causing it in Task Manager.

So your RAM issue is still not resolved or is it, where did you see 3.48GB usable?

[Brownbailey]

3.48 Gb usable shown when I go to Computer>Properties from the Start Menu.

[Nuccii]

Control Panel > System and Security > System, what does Installed RAM say?

[Brownbailey]

Installed RAM is 8 GB.

[Nuccii]

Then you are OK.  What you are seeing is available RAM available after Windows takes it's share running the processes that are running now.  It should improve after the settling down phase.

As an example, I have 8GB also, 3GB is in use and 5GB available at idle.

Download and run MemTest86 to confirm that the health of your RAM are OK also, it will take a while to run.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/memtest86.html

[Brownbailey]

I ran MemTest86 and it showed no errors.  
Before I upgraded the RAM though, I had 4GB installed.  Going to Control Panel>System and Security>System showed that I had 4GB installed (3.48 GB usable).  After installing the additional 4GB it would show 8GB installed (3.48 GB usable).  
I understand that Windows uses a portion of the RAM, but shouldn't the usable amount have increased after the additional RAM was installed?  I know there are limitations depending upon which OS is installed (this is most definitely Home Premium x64).  I added the 4GB hoping the usable amount would increase to 7. something, but at the least 6 GB.  I tried all the recommendations, and the usable RAM never budged.  Last resort was re-flashing the BIOS with the upgrade provided by HP and finally the clean re-install of Win 7. 

[Nuccii]

To determine if your motherboard is “seeing” all of your RAM, enter your computer’s BIOS. To do so, restart your computer and press the key that appears on your screen while booting (often Delete or F2). Locate the system information section and look for information on the amount of RAM in your computer.

Have you changed the motherboard in your computer, or is it still A1Z04UA motherboard 

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