RAM problem, cyber-hero required

Hi, im new here. You guys seem to know what you're talking about so I thought I'd give you a try.

Basically, I have 512mb RAM installed (2x256mb) but dxdiag/system info only shows 384mb. I have tried swapping the modules over and this reults in only 128mb showing up (as well as a decreased performance!) I have tried my RAM modules in my girlfriends laptop and it shows up as 480mb which it showed on mine until recently.

Its as if one slot will only accept a module of 128mb when it is actually 256.

My laptop is a Sony Vaio K215b and im running windows Xp.

Many thanks to anyone who can help.

Oh, and by the way, I tried my friends 2x256mb RAM modules in my notebook and got the exact same problem. Sounds like a problem at the computer side.

 

its not a computer problem!
what is happening is that all computers need some video memory. This is needed to do basic tasks as having a desktop background. judging from the "problem", u have 128MB of ur RAM being used by ur graphics card. Leaving u with 384MB for use in Windows.

128 + 384 = 512.

now ur GF's laptop has it video mem set to use 32MB of RAM. so when u install the RAM in hers, u are left with 480MBs.

32 + 480 = 512.


hope it helps.
can go on and on the topic but time is of the essence!

 

Hi, thanks for the reply.

My GF's laptop has a 128mb graphics card, one very similar to mine. Why is there a difference? Is there a setting I can change?

Also, what accounts for the fact that when I changed the modules round, windows only showed that (and acted like) there was only 128mb installed?

If I upgrade my RAM to 1024mb, will it make any difference?

Many thanks

 

From http://forums.techguy.org/hardware/517819-solved-smbios.html:

Here's little of what it said:

Description Results
RAM installed 512 MB
Windows RAM 382 MB
Total RAM slots 2
Available RAM slots 1
Max RAM module size 0 MB
Memory Type 512+0;DIMM,?18,|Synchronous;T16
Speed Rating 6318 MB/s (No similar CPU/MHz)

The System Management BIOS is reporting that there is 512 MB of RAM, but Windows reports that 382 MB is available. The most common reason for this discrepancy is that your system uses some system RAM for the video graphics card or BIOS functions. This case is common in highly-integrated PCs with video graphics built into the system board, and does not require any changes on your part.

There is a large discrepancy between the memory reported by the BIOS versus Windows. Often, this indicates a System Management BIOS (SMBIOS) problem and you may be able to fix it with a BIOS upgrade available from the vendor. SMBIOS results can be incorrect even if the power-on self test (POST) detects all of your installed RAM.
​

The swapping you described does sound a little weird --- are both your 256 sticks identical?

 

Yes the sticks are identical. I might just upgrade to 2x512mb in order to overcome this apparent loss.

Is it preferable to purchase 333mhz speed sticks as opposed to 266mhz and will they be compatible?

Thanks in advance