Envy 15-1XXX 16GB upgrade Windows 7 X64 Pro 8GB usable, BIOS?

Howdy all,

New Envy owner and forum member, hope I can contribute.

I just bought what I think is a first gen Envy 15-1050nr from a friend. I've installed both a OCZ 256GB Sata III SSD and 16GB of ram and a fresh install of Windows 7 X64 Pro. Both the Bios and Windows are showing 16GB installed but windows says 7.99GB usable. I've found bits of info of possible fixes including the "max ram" on boot via msconfig which was no help and a the bios setting for memory remapping. I do have an IT background so troubleshooting for me is a daily occurrence. I've confirmed that the ram is good and no matter how much ram is installed over 8GB all that shows up usable is 7.99GB. So back to memory remapping which may or may not be an available option in the BIOS. My current bios "F.07" is obviously not the advanced bios and through the F10+A key trick to get to the advanced bios menu I'm having no luck. I realize the bios is an old version but I have not updated it until I get some clear direction on fixing this issue.

Thanks!

~NC

 

Hi, I'm going out entirely on a limb here (have someone with more technical knowledge confirm it), but the processor in the 15-1050nr is a 1.6GHz Intel Core i7 720QM. Looking up the specs of said processor, I found this, which lists:

This may or may not have something to do with it (again, I have no idea where I even got the idea, I just thought of it and decided to investigate). Best of luck!

(If the processor spec page gives you an error, just reload it and it should work)

 

You are correct dude... Just because somebody's laptop can handle 16GB doesn't mean everyone else's can... That really sucks dude, that Processor is what's holding your Ram back...

 

OH geez I had no ides the CPU would limit RAM that could be used. Not happy but not a deal killer. I'll use this system for a while then upgrade later.

 

Something is not right here. If you do a search for Core i7 720QM 16gb ram you will find systems on sale with 16gb of ram and this processor. Including Envy 15's. I think It may be possible with the "correct" ram as I have read in other places. Now how to find that ram is another question.

~NC

 

You are correct, I went with the information the other guy had posted. Now I did my own research and I found the Maximum Ram for this particular Envy is indeed 16GB...

 

Bro how many Ram slots do you have in your envy. I think you have like 3 or 4 and that means only one slot can have 8GB and the other two can have only 4GB each... 8GB+4GB+4GB=16GB...


I did some more research and I found out your Laptop has 4 Dimm Slots which means each slot can hold a maximum of 4GB each. 4GB x 4 Dimm Slots = 16GB of Ram...

 

That's simple, check here:

Computer memory upgrades for HP - Compaq Envy 15-1050nr Laptop/Notebook from Crucial.com

Crucial.com says that you have 4 DIMM slots and each DIMM slots only handles 4GB of RAM each. 2 8GB DIMMs, the system only sees them as 4GB DIMMs, so you only have 8GB of RAM. Find a cheap price on 2 8GB DDR3-10600 kits and you're good to go. Crucial kit on that page is $38 per 8GB kit, so you're looking at $76 + tax + shipping.

Other options from NewEgg.com ranging from $36 - $43 per 8GB kit:
Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Memory, Laptop Memory, DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600), 8GB (2 x 4GB)

I'd return the 16GB kit back to wherever you purchased it from (if possible) or sell them (if you can't return them) and get the 2 8GB kits. Compatibility-wise, I don't know how long the system will see that 16GB kit as 8GB without issues down the road.