Quite often, Windows users complain that if there is a large amount of RAM, the value that is determined by the operating system itself turns out to be completely different. For some, this may be 35-50 MB, but you can find values that are much higher (hardware reserved memory). How to remove this reserve will be further considered. But for now, let’s dwell on the root causes of this situation. Why is memory reserved, for which resources?
Memory (hardware reserved): how to remove and what is the cause of this problem?
First of all, any user of the Windows family of operating systems should clearly realize that this problem is typical only for systems with 32-bit architecture or, as is usually referred to, x86. In 64-bit OSs, such a question does not arise at all.
As for the reasons that when viewing the available volume, it turns out that the memory is reserved in hardware (how to remove the existing reserve in Windows 7, we will consider a little later), basically, they are connected not even with the operating system processes themselves, but with the release of memory for integrated graphics accelerators mounted directly on the motherboard, which cannot provide enough memory to carry out any system and non-system operations related to the display of current events on the screen in terms of well-posed operation of the system interface.
In addition, there are frequent cases when RAM is allocated in accordance with user settings, where the system section indicates the use of all processor cores with a maximum of RAM allocated for each core. But the most basic problem of installing such options is that not everyone is aware of exactly how many cores the processor has and what memory to allocate for each of them. For example, many believe that the second-generation Intel Core i7 line of processors installed on laptops is quad-core. This is not true. They can be called such conditionally, since each core has two streams of computing power. By installing memory for four processors / cores instead of two, you get the problem that the memory is “eaten up” in the system properties.
RAM is reserved in hardware: how to remove? The easiest way to fix the problem
But let's get back to the original problem. For starters, even after the initial installation of the operating system, go into its properties and look at the available RAM in the performance section, compared to the one that is fully determined. If the discrepancy is too large, it is possible that the installed system has its limitations.
At least initially it’s worth looking at special compatibility tables of system versions with used computer configurations. It may well be that the installed OS will have to be changed (no additional actions in this case will take effect). On 32-bit systems, the ceiling is usually 4 GB. Everything that will be installed from above will be defined as a memory reserved by hardware. How to remove (in Windows 10, for example) such nonsense, it seems, is already clear. If the system does not support the installation of a larger amount of RAM, then there is nothing to try. Change the system or remove the memory bars.
Using System Configurator Settings
The Windows configurator, which is invoked by the msconfig command, is a bit more complicated. This is where the memory allocation settings for each processor core are located.
Even if you set such parameters yourself and precisely by the means of the system, specify only the main kernels without taking into account the threads and memory allocation for each core. If you are prompted to specify the maximum memory, do not flatter yourself - the system after rebooting (and it is mandatory after setting the appropriate options) can simply “crash”, and then no means of resuscitation will help (of course, except for a complete reinstall).
Best solution to the problem
In general, it is believed that the problem of how to remove the reserved hardware memory can be completely elementary solved by installing an operating system similar to the previous one, but with a 64-bit architecture.
Here, additional settings options and do not have to. No, you can, of course, try again to establish the use of all CPU cores, but, believe me, this will not lead to anything good (verified in practice). Therefore, in order to avoid such incidents, it is better to provide an independent choice to the system itself.
Graphics Adapters
In addition, if you see that the memory is reserved in hardware (it’s already a little clear how to remove the reserve), pay attention to the fact that two video cards can be installed on the computer.
Try switching from the integrated adapter to the discrete one, using in the simplest case at least the “Device Manager”, where, as you already understand, the built-in chip just needs to be disabled.
If this solution does not work, the question of how to remove the reserved memory can also be solved by changing the parameters in the BIOS primary input / output system (UEFI), where you should find both accelerators in the hardware section and apply the unavailability parameter in the system for integrated (Disabled ), then restart and look at the result in the same properties of the computer.
Instead of an afterword
For the rest, you should initially rely on the limitation tables of the used RAM, since non-compliance with such conditions when the system is incompatible with the hardware of the installed equipment can lead to the appearance of such problems in the future, not to mention the more serious consequences.
As for the main solution, immediately pay attention to the graphics card, for which the 32-bit OS allocates memory, and even for the execution of your own processes that cannot be performed without using the minimum required amount (the graphic interface will simply not work). And this, in turn, can provoke the emergence of more serious problems that cannot be eliminated using standard methods.