Is a upgrade needed for Windows 7 64 bit to see all my memory?

Forums › Desktop computing › Is a upgrade needed for Windows 7 64 bit to see all my memory?

G4m3r

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#75738 22-Jan-2011 16:52

Hi
I am running Windows 7 64-bit, 2x Gskill 2GB RAM, Asus P5KPL/1600 Motherboard. When I start up and enter the BIOS it says that I have 4GB RAM with only 3.5GB usable. I have checked eack stick of RAM and both of them are working fine. Does this mean that a upgrade of the BIOS is needed

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BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#429923 22-Jan-2011 16:54

Most likely. Windows 7 64 bit can see almost an unlimited amount of memory (per today's standards on desktops/laptops) and if it can't then the BIOS is the next thing to check.

b0untypure1

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#430001 22-Jan-2011 20:25

update the BIOS and the hardware drivers first.

If there isn't a onboard graphic card, I also would like to suggest you check the following steps.
1. Click Start, type msconfig into Search bar and press Enter.
2. Switch to Boot tab and click Advanced options.
3. Check Maximum memory and set the memory size to 4GB.
4. Click OK and restart the computer to check the issue.

TwoSeven

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#430004 22-Jan-2011 20:31

As I understand things, some memory is reserved for system devices, so while it reports 4gb of memory in the system some of it is used for the hardware in the system. Rather than using what the bios reports, how much does the OS say?

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b0untypure1

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#430010 22-Jan-2011 20:43

some with shared graphics cards may have set some ram onto graphics

G4m3r

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Master Geek

#430034 22-Jan-2011 21:56

Hi
Still got to try the update on the BIOS yet I will look at finding a updated BIOS version now

I tried msconfig just now still no difference.
Under System information the following is listed:
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00GB
Total Physical Memory 3.50GB
Avaliable Physical Memory 2.18GB
Total Virtual Memory 7.00GB

Is this amount of virtual Memory normal?
I dont think it should be sharing any RAM with my Graphics because I have a 1GB Graphics card
but I have noticed in some advance settings for my display adapter it says that there is 1535MB shared system memory does anyone know how I can change this?

I'm thinking its got to be something to do with the BIOS or sared system as the BIOS reconises that 3.5GB is usable before windows is loaded

b0untypure1

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#430037 22-Jan-2011 22:00

it could be that you have you ram shared to expand your graphics card, a picture or more detail would help in answering this.

for the bios, depending on the motherboard. you can update from bios. otherwise try the manufacturers website.

b0untypure1

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#430041 22-Jan-2011 22:05

or try this old school trick. type in DXDIAG in the start menu, and see how much ram that says you have. let me know the answer :D

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G4m3r

77 posts

Master Geek

#430044 22-Jan-2011 22:19

Just tried DXDIAG
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Page File: 1580 used 5584MB avaliable
If you want screen shots of anything just tell me what would help and I'll try get it
Some screen shots can be found at http://img691.imageshack.us/g/33090205.png/

b0untypure1

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#430047 22-Jan-2011 22:38

try these

1.
Download ATI Tray Tools and install it if you haven't already - then go Tools & Options, General Options, Advanced, and uncheck Enable ATT Shared Memory.

2. go into ur bios and disable onboard graphics card

3. do nothing. your graphics card has just allocated that amount of ram to itself, so when ir runs out of dedicated graphics, it will use your ram. this happens hardly ever. maybe if you try benchmarking on crysis it will happen :) but since dxdiag reports 4GB thats fine.

b0untypure1

1426 posts

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#430048 22-Jan-2011 22:39

respect. we have the same monitor ! wewt

G4m3r

77 posts

Master Geek

#430080 23-Jan-2011 00:32

Respact

Ok just updated the Bios and its still saying it. Will download ATI tray tools tomorrow and try that. no on borad graphics so that makes that part easy.

Batman

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#430090 23-Jan-2011 02:51

you bought a dud mobo series. the bios is 'stupid' and needs to be rewritten.

see http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1165967

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#430091 23-Jan-2011 02:52

and

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/260564-30-asus-p5kpl-1600

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1207681

freitasm

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#430118 23-Jan-2011 09:23

The "onboard graphics" option has nothing to do with the video card itself. "onboard graphics" is a video device on the motherboard. You can disable it but won't make any difference for a discrete video card.

joker97 is on the money. The first link says you can enable the BIOS option MEMORY REMAP to get access to all your memory. Have you tried it?

b0untypure1

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#430122 23-Jan-2011 09:27

or you will have to use only 2 sticks of ram according to one of joker's links

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