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Hardware reserved memory suddenly jumped to 4.6GB – only 3.4GB usable out of 8
My laptop used to have about 2.1GB of hardware reserved memory (which I assume is for the GPU). Suddenly, it jumped to around 4.6GB reserved, leaving me with only 3.4GB usable out of 8GB total. On top of that, sometimes when I turn it on, it freezes on a black screen before I can even log in, forcing me to restart multiple times. I've already tried unchecking max memory in msconfig, adjusting virtual memory, looking for GPU allocation options in BIOS (no setting available), attempting a BIOS update that wouldn't go through, and even removing and reseating the RAM stick—nothing worked. Anyone have any idea what else I can try?
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The jump from 2.1 GB to 4.6 GB hardware reserved is separate from paging-file size; increasing virtual memory does not establish why physical RAM became unavailable. Your screenshot shows GPU usage, but it does not identify the source of the reservation.
Compare the firmware’s detected memory with Installed Physical Memory and Total Physical Memory in System Information. Record the laptop or motherboard model and BIOS version alongside those figures. Then run Windows Memory Diagnostic and retain the result. The black screens make it important to investigate stability rather than repeatedly adjust memory limits, especially since you already unchecked Maximum memory and reseated the RAM.
Back up important files before further testing. Because the BIOS update failed, stop repeated flashing attempts and give the manufacturer that failure report and the memory results. Neither a faulty module nor a graphics reservation is established by the information posted.
