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    Installed 4Gb and vista sees only 2gb

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by arrietajp, Nov 26, 2008.

  1. arrietajp

    arrietajp Newbie

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    I just installed a memory upgrade on my computer making it go to 4gb.
    I use 32b windows vista home premium. I know that the system should recognize about 3.25 gb and not the 4gb.
    But the system is running like if it had only 2Gb and I don't understand why.

    If I get into the system properties it says that I have 4Gb installed, I have done a memory diagnostic that passed perfectly so I don't know what else to do.
    Even tried to run with 3Gb intead of 4gb in order to see if the systems get to work with nore than 2 and the result is the same the system runs at 2gb onyl.

    I don't know what else to do

    Thanks
     
    arrietajp, Nov 26, 2008
    #1
  2. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Which notebook and config ?

    Just upgrade to Vista 64. Also try updating the BIOS, and check msconfig for a fixed max memory value.
     
    Andy, Nov 26, 2008
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  3. mxdrummer

    mxdrummer Newbie

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    I had the same problem, although I am running 64 bit, but it was not showing 1 of my gigs. My simple solution was to go into msconfig and check the "normal startup" box and restart the system. I not sure what service would cause the one gig not to show up, anyone know?
     
    mxdrummer, Nov 26, 2008
    #3
  4. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    Correct me if I am wrong.... but it looks to me like you're saying it sees 4GB but you didn't get any boost in performance?
     
    Hep!, Nov 26, 2008
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  5. einhander

    einhander Notebook Deity

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    it also take into account the amount of memory of the video cards. say if i have two 9800 gx2s and 2gb of ram with a 32bit os, windows will only see 1.7gb of ram...
     
    einhander, Nov 26, 2008
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  6. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    what you need to do is this.
    Go to start and go to run

    type in MSCONFIG
    in the "boot.ini" tab,
    there is a small button at the bottom labeled "advanced options"
    in their you will see a small window appear
    click the first box labeled "max mem"
    type in 4096
    and than restart your computer
    after that it should see more than 2Gb of memory

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Nov 26, 2008
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  7. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    Not true... video cards, regardless of the amount of memory they have, only use 256mb worth of address space.
     
    Hep!, Nov 26, 2008
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  8. arrietajp

    arrietajp Newbie

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    thanks working properly right now

    it was the msconfig max memopry option that I had before

    Thanks
     
    arrietajp, Nov 26, 2008
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  9. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    I'd rep you for that post K-Tron but I've given all mine out for the day... did not know about the option, GOOD TO KNOW.
     
    Hep!, Nov 26, 2008
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  10. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    No worries Hep, I did give rep on your behalf.
     
    TehSuigi, Nov 26, 2008
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  11. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    I am glad I could be of help :D
    I learned that tip from Stewie a few months ago when I was installing a 4gb memory kit in my T61. It would only show 2048mb, because thats the default of the operating system. So a simple change, and 3072mb of memory was recognized

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Nov 26, 2008
    #11