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    64 bit OS & 8GB RAM in an Aspire 8935G - RAM Shows as Only 2.971GB?

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by 5er driver, Jan 12, 2011.

  1. 5er driver

    5er driver Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've got a dilema here, maybe. My Aspire 8935G originally came with 1 HDD, Vista 32, and 4GB RAM. In this original configuration the system and other utility programs showed 4GB RAM installed but Task Manager showed only 2971MB Physical Memory. I added a 2nd HDD, installed Vista 64 on that (dual boot, 32 bit or 64 bit OS), and boosted the RAM from 4GB to 8GB. I've read other posts where people had no problems expanding the RAM up to 8GB on this model laptop. Now, I have booted up the 64 bit OS with 8GB RAM installed and the Control Panel>System and CPUZ both show I have 8GB RAM but Everest and the Task Manager both show I have only 2.971GB RAM. Why is the 64 bit OS not recognizing all the RAM?


    http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/5erdriver/PC Stuff/SystemInfo.png

    http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/5erdriver/PC Stuff/Memory8GBvs2971GB.png
     
    5er driver, Jan 12, 2011
    #1
  2. michael_recycled

    michael_recycled Notebook Deity

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    What about a Bios update?
    I see 3 newer versions available on Acer support website.

    Michael
     
    michael_recycled, Jan 12, 2011
    #2
  3. fwiler

    fwiler Newbie

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    Check your bios. There are sometimes options to change ram amount there. I've run into this myself on various laptops
     
    fwiler, Jan 12, 2011
    #3
  4. 5er driver

    5er driver Notebook Enthusiast

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    The BIOS shows 8GB RAM.

    EDIT: Thanks guys, I thought about a BIOS update but the BIOS is showing all 8GB are there.
     
    5er driver, Jan 13, 2011
    #4
  5. weinter

    weinter /dev/null

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    Did you set Max Memory by any chance?
    Check it in -> run -> msconfig -> Max Memory.
     
    weinter, Jan 13, 2011
    #5
  6. 5er driver

    5er driver Notebook Enthusiast

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    I didn't check or set that, thanks. I'll do that when I get home from work and let you know how it goes. Why wouldn't a 64 bit Windows OS automatically use all the available RAM? I know the limitation of a 32 bit OS, about 3.5GB RAM. What puzzles me is with the original laptop configuration of Vista 32 with 4GB RAM, the task manager showed only 2971MB Physical Memory. It still shows only that amount using Vista 64 with 8GB RAM. Max Memory....please be the answer!
     
    5er driver, Jan 13, 2011
    #6
  7. 5er driver

    5er driver Notebook Enthusiast

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    Weinter - I owe you a beer or two, that was the answer! Max Memory was checked and was set at 3072MB. I unchecked Max Memory and now all 8GB shows up in everything. Thanks! Now for the next project, I've got an Intel T9900 on the way..............

    http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/5erdriver/PC%20Stuff/8GBRAM.png
     
    5er driver, Jan 13, 2011
    #7
  8. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Ah but can you match my system? > :D

    But seriously, thats some nice upgrades there. I don't need that much ram but some people are starting to now.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jan 13, 2011
    #8
  9. 5er driver

    5er driver Notebook Enthusiast

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    Let's just say.........I like to tweak. I'll fix anything that isn't broke! :D
     
    5er driver, Jan 13, 2011
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  10. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Well if you really want to impress the forum/challenge my build then the 8935G has space for an MXM-B card, but AFAIK no one has tried one.

    You could slap in a card and give it a go.

    Obviously avoid cards like the GTX480M unless you like fires.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jan 13, 2011
    #10
  11. Marhubeng

    Marhubeng Newbie

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    I've looked at the Max Memory setting in my 8935G, and it is not checked. However if I do check it, the max value is 4G. I'm running W7 Ultimate 64bit.
    Does that mean that my computer is unable to use more then 4G?
     
    Marhubeng, Jan 18, 2011
    #11
  12. 5er driver

    5er driver Notebook Enthusiast

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    Max Memory is a limiter, leave it unchecked. Once you increase your RAM to more than 4GB (5~8GB) and run a 64 OS you can use all the RAM. Max Memory is used to set less RAM for start up and trouble shooting. Mine was set to 3072MB by default and I didn't know it, that's why I started the thread.
     
    5er driver, Jan 19, 2011
    #12
  13. CVonV

    CVonV Notebook Consultant

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    is max memory a third party app? also how did u get a rating of 9.9? i thought windows index only goes upto 7.9 lol
     
    CVonV, Jan 21, 2011
    #13
  14. 5er driver

    5er driver Notebook Enthusiast

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    Max Memeory is a part of Windows msconfig.exe

    The 9.9 is a trick, I think I found it on a Vista 64 Forum. Vista Forums
     
    5er driver, Jan 22, 2011
    #14
  15. CVonV

    CVonV Notebook Consultant

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    CVonV, Jan 22, 2011
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  16. 5er driver

    5er driver Notebook Enthusiast

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    Go to Start> Run> MSCONFIG. The System Configuration box opens up. Go to the Boot tab, click on the Advanced Options button. The Boot Advanced Options box opens up, Max Memory is in the upper right corner. Uncheck it or leave it unchecked, click on OK button. Back on the System Configuration box check Make All Boot Settings Permanent, click on the Apply button and OK button. Reboot and all the RAM should show up in the Task Manager as long as your OS is 64 bit.
     
    5er driver, Jan 23, 2011
    #16