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    Thinkpad X200: Windows 7 Ultimate-x64 & 4GB of RAM--only 2.96 usable?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by smiley_lauf, Dec 31, 2009.

  1. smiley_lauf

    smiley_lauf Notebook Consultant

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    Hi There, Wonder if you could help me understand this problem, and also help me fix it if it a problem.

    My new laptop has the following specs:
    TP X200 C2D P8700 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache, and 4GB DDR3 @1066MHz RAM 160GB HDD @5400RPM running Windows 7 Ultimate X64. Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500

    In System, this is what is being reported:

    Installed memory 4GB (2.96 usable)
    System type: 64-bit Operating System

    All drivers (installed from X200 IBM website and using X64 versions) are reported to be working. I have also upgraded the BIOS to most recent one (Dec 2009).

    Task manager tells me that about 1.86GB of memory is being used at startup. Total remaining memory 1.61GB; total physical memory 2.96GB

    Am I missing something? I thought 64-bit systems could use the full 4GB of memory? is there a setting in BIOS or somewhere to make my system use the full 4GB?

    Also I have noticed that this system on Windows 7 mighty slow compared to my emachines D620: Athlone X2 64 @1.6GHz 512K Cache L2 running Vista Business x86 with 2GB of DDR2@800MHZ. 160GB HDD @5400RPM.

    Would appreciate some pointers to rectify this or just an explanation why my X200 is doing this?

    Thanks
    S
     
    smiley_lauf, Dec 31, 2009
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  2. smiley_lauf

    smiley_lauf Notebook Consultant

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    Here is an update.

    I had to follow the instructions on initializing the updated BIOS (which I did not do).
    Quote:
    Initializing the BIOS
    BIOS Initialization is suggested for some problems. To initialize the BIOS settings:
    Turn off the computer.
    Turn on the computer.
    While the "To interrupt normal startup, press the blue ThinkVantage button" message is displayed at the lower-left area of the screen, press the F1 key. The BIOS Setup Utility menu will be displayed. If a password prompt appears, type the correct password.
    Press the F9 key to load default configuration.
    Select Yes.
    Press the F10 key to save default configuration and exit.
    Select Yes.
    Restart the computer.
    Note:
    After initialization you may need to reapply some settings that you had changed previously.
    But then, I could not boot into Windows at all--so I reformated and did a clean install of the 64-bit. Now it reads the full 4GiB and 3.90GB are available.

    As they always say--RTFM! Lesson learned!

    Thanks to all,
    S
    HAPPY 2010!
     
    smiley_lauf, Jan 1, 2010
    #2