Computer only detecting 8 GB of RAM instead of 16 GB

Hey Abraham, Tomshardware has a good answer for this here by a user named Shaun o: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3123587/...

The first thing you need to determine is if the motherboard is in fact reading all four of the memory modules inserted into the memory slots of the motherboard.

You can do this by looking at screen when the system is first powered on to see if the memory count is displayed by the bios.

Or by entering the bios where it will report the full amount of memory read.

If the bios reads all 16Gb or ram.

You must then check what version of windows you are running, the version must be a 64 bit version of windows os installed.

When you look at the system information option of windows it will report the physical amount of ram seen by windows.

And should be 16Gb.

If you find that 16Gb is not reported as the total physical memory fitted.

But the bios reports 16Gb of memory detected.

It means that the configuration of windows has been capped to see, or use only a set amount of physical memory in it`s configuration settings.

To check if the memory windows uses is capped.

Click on start.

In the search bar type : MSCONFIG.

Press enter.

A new window will open.

Click on the boot tab at the top of the new window.

Then click on the Advanced option tab.

A new window will open.

To the top left you will see a tick box for maximum memory.

If there is a value typed into the box bellow it remove all of the numbers.

Then un tick the maximum memory box if it is ticked.

Click ok

Then click apply.

Then ok again.

Restart the system.

Let windows load.

And again open up windows system information.

If it says Installed physical memory fitted as 16Gb.

Problem solved.

Does the entire 16 GB show up in the BIOS? Learn how to load your BIOS and check:

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/bios-uefi-setu...

Just to confirm, you do have 64 bit Windows 10 installed, open Start > Settings > System > About

It actually says 64 bit operating system under System type.

If all of those check out, then there might be a fault with one of the memory modules. You can try checking either one for errors:

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/use-the-memory...

Also, press Windows key + R

Type: msconfig

Hit Enter

Go to the Boot tab > Advanced options > make sure Maximum memory is unchecked

Click OK then click Apply then OK

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

PC or laptop ??

How many memory sticks, 2 8BG or 4 4GB

I would do one of 2 things.

Either run a memory diagnostics test.

Select Standard & 8 pass on PC Boot up.

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/29343.running-windows-memory-diagnostics-tool-in-windows-10-technical-preview.aspx

then I would remove one stick or 1 pair of sticks. start pc and see what happens. then replace them and remove the other one or pair and start up pc and see what happens.

If 4 sticks and still having problem, install one at a time. Be sure to note the pairs and keep them together for installing afterwards.

then I would swap the stick or pair in the slots.

Keep pairs together.