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    Upgraded RAM but not showing in Vista or in BIOS

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Ozzy82, Mar 5, 2009.

  1. Ozzy82

    Ozzy82 Notebook Enthusiast

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    i have got a Gateway MT3712b laptop which came with 1 GB RAM (i'm assuming 2x512 cos when i took off the panel under the laptop there were 2 modules). i bought a brand new 1GB module (see http://www.memory4less.com/m4l_results.asp?ref=mem&modelid=80033795 ) and installed it straightaway. when i turned the laptop on, got to Vista desktop, and went to check system information and it still shows 1GB RAM. should it not show approx. 1.5GB?? went to the BIOS and it shows 967MB system memory... what is going on??? help! :confused:
     
    Ozzy82, Mar 5, 2009
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  2. Tippey764

    Tippey764 Notebook Deity

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    What kind of integrated graphics card do you have? It might be stealing some of your memory.
     
    Tippey764, Mar 5, 2009
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  3. Ozzy82

    Ozzy82 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Looked in device manager, it shows my graphics card as being 'ATI RADEON EXPRESS 200M Series'.... any ideas?? is it worth me buying another 1GB module and installing that, taking my total memory to 2GB?
     
    Ozzy82, Mar 5, 2009
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  4. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    Try taking out the old module, leaving only the new module. You'll probably have to move the new module to the first slot if it's not already there. If it says 512 mb, then you got a 512 mb stick.

    In any case, some motherboards may like the higher-capacity module in the first slot... so if you put the old one in the second slot it may work... worth a try.
     
    swarmer, Mar 5, 2009
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  5. Ozzy82

    Ozzy82 Notebook Enthusiast

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    i have tried swapping slots, but still no joy. Tried the 512mb alone, it picked that up. i tried the 1gb alone, it recognised that too. then tried both the 1gb and 512 in different slots but... no! it is doing my head in! i have heard that some laptops will only pick up 2 ram slots if both of the modules are the same size (i.e 2x512, 2x1gb)... is this true? anythin else i could try?
     
    Ozzy82, Mar 8, 2009
    #5