Envy 17 Memory Issue

Hi All,

First, to get my system specs out of the way:

Computer:
Computer Type ACPI x64-based PC (Mobile)
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
OS Service Pack -
Internet Explorer 8.0.7600.16385
DirectX DirectX 11.0
Computer Name DAREDEVIL
User Name John
Logon Domain Daredevil
Date / Time 2010-12-18 / 08:56

Motherboard:
CPU Type QuadCore Intel Core i7 720QM, 2500 MHz (19 x 132)
Motherboard Name Hewlett-Packard HP ENVY 17 Notebook PC
Motherboard Chipset Intel Ibex Peak-M HM55, Intel Lynnfield
System Memory 4032 MB (DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM)
DIMM1: Hynix HMT351S6BFR8C-H9 4 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz) (5-5-5-14 @ 380 MHz)
DIMM3: Hynix HMT351S6BFR8C-H9 4 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz) (5-5-5-14 @ 380 MHz)
BIOS Type Insyde (08/12/10)

Display:
Video Adapter ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5800 Series (1024 MB)

And more specifically regarding the memory ("CONDITION 1" below):


[ Memory Devices / Bottom - Slot 1 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor SODIMM
Type Detail Synchronous
Speed 1333 MHz
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator Bottom - Slot 1
Bank Locator BANK 0
Manufacturer Hynix
Serial Number 1793BC5C
Asset Tag Unknown
Part Number HMT351S6BFR8C-H9

[ Memory Devices / Bottom - Slot 2 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor SODIMM
Type Detail Synchronous
Size 4096 MB
Speed 1333 MHz
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator Bottom - Slot 2
Bank Locator BANK 1
Manufacturer Hynix
Serial Number 17C3BC56
Asset Tag Unknown
Part Number HMT351S6BFR8C-H9

OK, so here's what's going on.

I noticed recently that my system only shows 4 gb of memory (despite 8gb installed).
CONDITION 1:
4 gb is shown in my BIOS, my computer/properties and in task manager. HP Support Assistant under Information/General Specifications system memory shows 4gb, SLOT 1 EMPTY, and SLOT 2 4gb. However, if I shut the computer down, swap the memory cards and boot CONDITION 2 happens:
CONDITION 2:
8gb is shown in my BIOS, in task manager. my computer/properties shows 8.00gb (3.93gb usable) and HP Support Assistant under Information/General Specifications system memory shows SLOT 1 4gb, and SLOT 2 4gb.
Upon restart, the system reverts to the CONDITION1 (with only showing 4 gb system memory in the software described above and the HP Support Assistant showing the SLOT 1 as EMPTY). I've tried swapping the memory out several times, and each time after a swap and then reboot SLOT 1 is EMPTY in HP Support Assistant so I don't think it's specific to a particular memory stick. In ALL CASES CPU-Z shows 8gb system memory installed. Help?? Not sure if this is a bios config problem. I've done some reading and made sure that "max memory" is unchecked in msconfig/boot/advanced options.
Help??

 

shameless bump...anyone got any ideas? i got a 4gb card that im going to try in in slots 1 and 2 with each of the existing modules. ill post back with the result.

 

Okey dokey...just tried all 4 possible configurations with the new memory card (new memory card in slot 1, slot 2 paired with existing card 1, then new memory card in slot 1, slot 2 paired with existing card 2).

In ALL CASES, upon INITIAL BOOT after switching the memory around the system reads 8GB (3.93GB usable) in my computer and shows 4GB in SLOT1 and 4GB in SLOT2 in Help and Support.

IN ALL CASES AFTER INITIAL BOOT THEN RESTART the system reads 4GB in my computer and reads EMPTY in SLOT1 and 4GB in SLOT2 in Help and Support.

The new memory is a different manufacturer (Samsung vs Hyinx) and I can see that the computer is successfully recognizing the new card. Keep in mind that, as mentioned above, regardless CPU-Z states that 8GB of system memory is installed.

This seems to be a BIOS issue. Obviously there's nothing wrong with the memory hardware wise. It's almost as if when I swap the memory sticks around I'm forcing detection of the other stick...but after a reboot it's reverting to a set form...I'm lost and tired of trying to make HP support understand. Can someone please reply? Thanks!!!

 

I don't know if I can help, but I recently replaced the 8 gigs of Hynix memory which came with my Envy 17 with 8 gigs of Samsung DDR3 1333 memory. This was because I kept getting spontaneous reboots which were (touch wood) solved by swapping the old Hynix memory for the Samsung memory.

The BIOS (I've used both F13A and the latest F.1B) recognised the 8 gigs in full, all 8 gigs are usable.

Have you considered whether the RAM slots are defective?

Kind regards

 

Mcdill...thanks for posting.

That actually helps a lot. Both sticks are Hynix and the one HP sent me is samsung. I'm also using the latest BIOS.

I've considered that the RAM slot is defective. Hopefully not. I'm going to get a second stick from HP and see if two sticks of Samsung memory resolve the issue.

 

I've got 2 sets of 4 gb sticks from HP so far. After trying multiple configs I tried booting with only 1x 4gb stick in one slot. For 3 of the 4 gb sticks, the system would boot when 1x4gb stick is in SLOT 2. The system would not boot when each of those memory sticks were in SLOT 1.

I believe that I have a defective motherboard slot. I'm going to ship the system out to HP and see if they can fix it.