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    extra ram for t61 video card

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by josar, Aug 21, 2008.

  1. josar

    josar Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have 4gb of memory on my T61, after a long frustrating day trying to get drivers for Windows XP X64 I have decided to go back to the 32bit Windows XP (note: I do not like Vista. Period. :) ). Now I have about 1 gb of RAM that is useless to windows. Can I some how use this for other things such as for extra video ram or maybe use it as extra virtual memory?

    Also, is there a performance hit to RAM when you use 2 sticks at 2gb and one stick isn't being utilized fully? (Besides the lack of about 1gb.)

    Thanks!
     
    josar, Aug 21, 2008
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  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Nope, that 1GB is permanently inaccessible in any 32bit OS.
     
    Greg, Aug 21, 2008
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  3. Faruk

    Faruk Notebook Evangelist

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    1. As far as I know, the memory can't be used for anything else. It definitely can't be used by the operating system, but I've heard a Dell employee mention that it can be used by the integrated graphics - I highly doubt this though.

    2. No, there is no performance hit. Your system is using the first ~1.5GB from each of your 2GB modules, so it is still running in symmetrical dual channel mode.

    3. If you want to try getting back a bit of memory, you can try disabling some hardware components in your BIOS (like your modem, for example) to maybe get back some address space. Realistically though, this probably won't gain you much.

    4. When you were running Windows XP x64, did you try downloading drivers for Windows 2003 x64? (WXP x64 is based on the W2003 x64 codebase) I've also heard that some Vista x64 drivers can work too.
     
    Faruk, Aug 21, 2008
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  4. josar

    josar Notebook Enthusiast

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    I didn't try Windows 2003 X64, I'll give that a try. It is nice to hear that the symmetrical dual channel mode will still work. If I figure out a way to slap all of the extra RAM on my video RAM I will let you know.
     
    josar, Aug 21, 2008
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  5. miro_gt

    miro_gt Notebook Deity

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    why do you need that 1gb of ram so bad ?!?! ... mine runs perfect with 2gb and I have no page file too, and play all sorts of new games as well :)

    but if somehow you're in a desparate need of 4gb ram and nothing less, then install Windows Server 2003. It's a 32 bit system with special expansion to 36 bits that allows it to see full 4gb of memory, and the rest of the address space is used for mapping the other computer components
     
    miro_gt, Aug 21, 2008
    #5