8 GB Installed, Only 3.48 GB Usable

[Brownbailey]

Again, the BIOS is saying 8GB RAM installed.  BIOS version F.6A  05/13/2013 by Insyde downloaded from HP site.  Motherboard is showing as A1Z04UA#ABC

[Nuccii]

Turn off the computer, unplug the computer, and then swap the order of the memory.

If no go:

1. Click Start

   type msconfig in the Search programs and files box, and then click msconfig in the Programs list.
2. In the System Configuration window, click Advanced options on the Boot tab.
3. Click to clear the Maximum memory check box, and then click OK.
4. Restart the computer.

If no go:

Check your BIOS version, if it is not Version F.6A go to this site to update the BIOS

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ob-120487-1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en...

[Brownbailey]

As I said in my original question, I had already tried those steps.  I just tried again with the same results.

Still showing 8 GB installed (3.48 GB usable).  BIOS is still F.6A and had been updated from HP website following their instructions.

[Nuccii]

Go back to the Maximum Memory of my previous post and put the check back in and just below type 8192 then click OK.

On the next screen be sure there is a check in the Make All Boot Settings Permanent then click OK.  Next screen click Yes to confirm the changes.  Reboot the computer.

When the computer has rebooted go to Task Manager under the Performance tab what is the Total Physical Memory

[Brownbailey]

I had also tried that previously, with no change.  Tried again twice, first by checking the Maximum Memory and it auto filling in 8192 and a second time with me manually typing it in.  In all attempts, I made sure to check 'Make All Boot Settings Permanent', clicked 'Apply', clicked 'OK' and Restarted before checking the RAM in Control Panel> System and Security> System. Tried as well with skipping the 'Apply' and just straight to 'OK'.  Even though there is only one user, I also tried entering msconfig both by just clicking it open and right-clicking to 'Run as an Administrator'.  Every attempt gave the same result 8GB RAM installed (3.48GB usable). 

The only thing worth noting is that when I go back into msconfig, I can see the change with the box 'Maximum Memory' being checked or not, but where I enter '8192' before the restart, the number shown is '0' afterwards.

Task Manager under the Performance tab shows the Total Physical Memory as 3561MB.

[Nuccii]

Unfortunately, I have no further idea why why the memory will not hold.  Either the motherboard is limiting the RAM or there is definitly something wrong with one of the RAM sticks even though Memtest86 said OK.  Perhaps advanced diagnostics at a repair shop will provide the answers.

I'm sorry, I have no clue right now on the next step, perhaps another member will have another idea.

[Brownbailey]

If I could afford a repair shop, I would not be trying to fix the issue through forums.  
How could my individual motherboard limit RAM when its version is supposed to support up to 8GB?
Could there be a work around it using virtual memory? or a soft RAM program?

Should I revert back to the original BIOS?  (BIOS had been updated before installing the 8GB).
Is there anyone else who has any ideas? 

[Brownbailey]

Where it states "System type: 64-bit Operating System" under the 'System' heading, at the very bottom of my screen shot, does that not mean that I am running a 64-bit O/S?

[Nuccii]

You are running a 64bit OS, still have not yet figured out why you cannot get the full 8 gigs.

[Nuccii]

You have presently 2 X 4GB installed.

Remove one of them and boot, make note of the reading.

Then remove that one and put the other one in the same slot as the first one.

Do the same sequence using the second slot, using only one, boot, then switch

This way we will know that the slots and the RAM chips are definitely OK.