Windows 10 RAM issues. 8gb installed, but only 4gb available.

[K3Nv4]

I couldn't find an update.... It's an ASUS N65VZ Notebook. The BIOS files wouldn't flash ..

You might need

VGA
Intel Graphics Driver
Version V10.18.10.3308. 02

https://www.asus.com/us/supportonly/n56vz/helpdesk_download/

 

[Greninji88]

You might need

VGA
Intel Graphics Driver
Version V10.18.10.3308. 02

https://www.asus.com/us/supportonly/n56vz/helpdesk_download/

It says that my laptop does not meet the minimum requirements. But its the same laptop model as the driver states.

 

[K3Nv4]

It says that my laptop does not meet the minimum requirements. But its the same laptop model as the driver states.

Have you checked that the ram is compatible and it's not a hardware issue

 

[Reiten]

Have you checked that the ram is compatible and it's not a hardware issue

Thanks, sorry for the limited info, it's a friends laptop. Yeah, in the BIOS it says 8000*mb of RAM. Yes it's also two 4gb RAM sticks, SODIMM, DDR3. I guess I could just replace the RAM with spare 4gb chips, and see how it goes. If anyone has any other advice, feel free to share!!

*It wasn't exactly 8000mb, it was something like 8063mb, but I can't remember the exact numbers...

Since it shows up in the BIOS, there shouldn't be any issues with the RAM itself, at least not ones that wouldn't produce some kind of errors or BSODS.

 

[JackTheFroster]

We can already tell its an operating system issue. Or in some cases a bios issue... I would always check if there are any newer ones for the motherboard. Normally, when upgrading to more ram, the bios needs to update itself with the changes and should make it available for the operating systems. The operating system should at least recognize the new available ram. I would also check with "WIN+R > write down *msconfig* and run > Boot > Advanced Options" to see if you can change "Maximum memory" to more than 4096. If not, the operating system isnt getting the info for more available ram from the bios i guess... maybe another setting in the bios needs to be changed.

 

[Greninji88]

We can already tell its an operating system issue. Or in some cases a bios issue... I would always check if there are any newer ones for the motherboard. Normally, when upgrading to more ram, the bios needs to update itself with the changes and should make it available for the operating systems. The operating system should at least recognize the new available ram. I would also check with "WIN+R > write down *msconfig* and run > Boot > Advanced Options" to see if you can change "Maximum memory" to more than 4096. If not, the operating system isnt getting the info for more available ram from the bios i guess... maybe another setting in the bios needs to be changed.

Tried that and it works! Thanks! The laptop's much faster now, thanks everyone for the help. The other suggestions helped also, just clearing up some other slow down. Thanks again!

 

[JackTheFroster]

Set the amount of usable size with Windows+R then type msconfig, then set your amount of usable ram to whatever you have or need.

Want to mention it was already said before, but probably was overseen...

 

[tech3475]

Tried that and it works! Thanks! The laptop's much faster now, thanks everyone for the help. The other suggestions helped also, just clearing up some other slow down. Thanks again!

How much RAM have you specified? I ask because I'd be careful not to use the full 8096 as even on systems without a GPU not the full amount may be useable for different reasons ('shadow memory'?).

For example, on my 64GB system only 63.9GB is reported by system information.

I'd also run tests, trying to max out physical RAM usage in Windows as a test.

 

[Skv0ra]

Tried that and it works! Thanks! The laptop's much faster now, thanks everyone for the help. The other suggestions helped also, just clearing up some other slow down. Thanks again!

Grats! Though in the future, avoid ASsUS hardware like a plague.

I got 2x16 sticks for my rebranded Clevo and it just wouldn't boot at all on them. Turns out - bios was set to strictly 1.2V to power both ram slots and new sticks needed 1.35V. But from this thread, TIL that brands do or used to lock windows to some nonsensical max ram and that's just dumb as all hell.

 

[Greninji88]

Grats! Though in the future, avoid ASsUS hardware like a plague.

I got 2x16 sticks for my rebranded Clevo and it just wouldn't boot at all on them. Turns out - bios was set to strictly 1.2V to power both ram slots and new sticks needed 1.35V. But from this thread, TIL that brands do or used to lock windows to some nonsensical max ram and that's just dumb as all hell.

I'll keep that in mind....

 

[tech3475]

Grats! Though in the future, avoid ASsUS hardware like a plague.

I got 2x16 sticks for my rebranded Clevo and it just wouldn't boot at all on them. Turns out - bios was set to strictly 1.2V to power both ram slots and new sticks needed 1.35V. But from this thread, TIL that brands do or used to lock windows to some nonsensical max ram and that's just dumb as all hell.

I would advise checking any hardware purchase where you think you may want to upgrade down the line.

On a couple of laptop purchases (one a 2019 Asus the other a 2023 Acer), per my research I had to buy RAM which would work at their advertised speed and not default to a slower JEDEC speed because of UEFI blocking XMP access.

I also recently went to upgrade a relatives 2018/19 HP laptop but the WiFi/BT adapter wouldn't work.

 

[Skv0ra]

I would advise checking any hardware purchase where you think you may want to upgrade down the line.

On a couple of laptop purchases (one a 2019 Asus the other a 2023 Acer), per my research I had to buy RAM which would work at their advertised speed and not default to a slower JEDEC speed because of UEFI blocking XMP access.

I also recently went to upgrade a relatives 2018/19 HP laptop but the WiFi/BT adapter wouldn't work.

That's literally what I'd expect from HP, but Acer AND ASsUS too? Wooooow.....
Ram I got was 3200 whereas stock was 2400, so I definitely lucked out on Clevo being Clevo without any of that locking settings bullshittery.

Post automatically merged: Jun 10, 2025

I'll keep that in mind....

Friends had boards fail or throw insane fits on driver updates, I tried one of their old 1060 laptops which would thermally throttle to a shut down if the lid wasn't open wide since the cooling design of the internals was pure ASs and it was bundled with a way-lower rated PSU too.... I'm also very sus of when big electronic stores do their bundles, and it's been ASsUS boards for years now. Then the corpo top shift in RMA policy and even tech youtube covering ridiculous ways their techs are forced to do their utmost to deny warranty.

Homework is absolute key these days since most everything is plateauing in specs and its coming down to QC and CS practices of big brands unlike ever before.