Change RAM Split in APU Laptop

[RyanMacRocks]

Hi guys, I have a Compaq CQ57-315NR laptop with a AMD E-300 APU (1.3 GHz, 2 cores)  :wacko: and decided to try to make it run a little bit better since I never use it but it would be helpful to have a laptop for schoolwork and light web browsing.

 

Anyway, I installed an extra 2 GB of RAM to make a total of 4 GB's and Windows 7 recognizes it, but it only shows 1.6 GB usable. I assume this is because of the extra RAM being allocated to the GPU, although I could be wrong. I looked in the BIOS, but there were very few options, none of them including memory. So is there a way to make more of the RAM usable?

[MageTank]

Hi guys, I have a Compaq CQ57-315NR laptop with a AMD E-300 APU (1.3 GHz, 2 cores)  :wacko: and decided to try to make it run a little bit better since I never use it but it would be helpful to have a laptop for schoolwork and light web browsing.

 

Anyway, I installed an extra 2 GB of RAM to make a total of 4 GB's and Windows 7 recognizes it, but it only shows 1.6 GB usable. I assume this is because of the extra RAM being allocated to the GPU, although I could be wrong. I looked in the BIOS, but there were very few options, none of them including memory. So is there a way to make more of the RAM usable?

Check to make sure the memory is seated properly. Perhaps try to reinsert it, to make sure it is. Your product is rated to handle 8GB of memory, so it should work. 

http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/Compaq-Presario-CQ57-300-Notebook-PC-series/5145720/model/5186382/document/c03015475/

 

If that does not fix it, let me know.

[RyanMacRocks]

Check to make sure the memory is seated properly. Perhaps try to reinsert it, to make sure it is. Your product is rated to handle 8GB of memory, so it should work. 

http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/Compaq-Presario-CQ57-300-Notebook-PC-series/5145720/model/5186382/document/c03015475/

 

If that does not fix it, let me know.

Like I said, the memory is seated correctly, the BIOS and Windows report 4 GB, but only 1.6 GB is usable.

[MageTank]

Like I said, the memory is seated correctly, the BIOS and Windows report 4 GB, but only 1.6 GB is usable.

That is odd indeed. It isn't related to the iGPU, because even if you dedicate X amount of memory to the iGPU, it will only use it as it is needed. You should still see 4GB in your system as usable (Max supported VRAM is 949MB anyways, meaning even if it was using it, you would still be at almost 3GB usable). 

 

Can't be IA-32 memory limitations, as it would report 3.2GB usable (32-bit OS limitation), and you are getting exactly half that. Can you do me a favor?

 

Go to run, Type msconfig, then go to boot, then Advanced, then see if the "Maximum Memory" tab is checked. If it is, uncheck it, and reboot and see if it changes anything.

[NumLock21]

I thought your ram literally split in half.

[RyanMacRocks]

That is odd indeed. It isn't related to the iGPU, because even if you dedicate X amount of memory to the iGPU, it will only use it as it is needed. You should still see 4GB in your system as usable (Max supported VRAM is 949MB anyways, meaning even if it was using it, you would still be at almost 3GB usable). 

 

Can't be IA-32 memory limitations, as it would report 3.2GB usable (32-bit OS limitation), and you are getting exactly half that. Can you do me a favor?

 

Go to run, Type msconfig, then go to boot, then Advanced, then see if the "Maximum Memory" tab is checked. If it is, uncheck it, and reboot and see if it changes anything.

It was unchecked, seems like a weird issue to me, thanks for your help. Maybe it is just a unlisted hardware limitation or something for this model.

[MageTank]

It was unchecked, seems like a weird issue to me, thanks for your help. Maybe it is just a unlisted hardware limitation or something for this model.

Maybe check that box, and see if you can force it to boot with 4GB maximum memory? I am really at a loss here. I don't know what to do, but i won't stop until we figure something out.

[RyanMacRocks]

Maybe check that box, and see if you can force it to boot with 4GB maximum memory? I am really at a loss here. I don't know what to do, but i won't stop until we figure something out.

Just tried that, still no progress, I have no idea what it could be..

 

Thanks for the help though, I really appreciate it.

[MageTank]

Just tried that, still no progress, I have no idea what it could be..

 

Thanks for the help though, I really appreciate it.

What version is your Windows 7? Starter? Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate? Is it 32 bit or 64 bit?

[RyanMacRocks]

What version is your Windows 7? Starter? Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate? Is it 32 bit or 64 bit?

Just solved the problem! Tried switching RAM slots and now I have 3.49 GB usable for some reason. Very odd, but thanks for your help! We need more people like you on the forums who stick with one thread until its resolved!

[MageTank]

Just solved the problem! Tried switching RAM slots and now I have 3.49 GB usable for some reason. Very odd, but thanks for your help! We need more people like you on the forums who stick with one thread until its resolved!

So happy that you got this resolved. I was scouring the internet trying to find solutions that i may have missed. Now i can sleep in peace tonight.