1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Quick RAM question

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by miker1, Sep 28, 2010.

  1. miker1

    miker1 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2006
    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    My computer has 2gb of ram. i am trying to add an identical 2gb chip. When I check my RAm under control panel>System with both chips installed my computer says i have only 2.5gb. With either chip installed it says i have 2gb. Any ideas why it wouldnt say 4gb with both chips installed?
     
    miker1, Sep 28, 2010
    #1
  2. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
    Messages:
    39,167
    Likes Received:
    136
    Trophy Points:
    143
    32bit windows or 64bit windows? what does the bios show for installed ram?
     
    ddp, Sep 28, 2010
    #2
  3. miker1

    miker1 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2006
    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    windows xp. My bios says it has 4gb or 4096 mb to be exact. Thats weird. Should i just not worry about the discrepancy?
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2010
    miker1, Sep 28, 2010
    #3
  4. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
    Messages:
    39,167
    Likes Received:
    136
    Trophy Points:
    143
    32bit windows whether xp, vista or 7 cannot read past 3.25-3.5 gig of ram. onboard video or videocard?
     
    ddp, Sep 28, 2010
    #4
  5. PCGuy12

    PCGuy12 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2010
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    No, this is an XP limitation. In the System Properties does it say Physical Address Extension is enabled?

    *EDIT* Scrap that. It seems you have Vista/7. But again, do you have it enabled? If not, check the BIOS if you built the PC, otherwise the only tweaking options you get are the date and time, I am afraid :(
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2010
    PCGuy12, Oct 13, 2010
    #5
  6. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
    Messages:
    39,167
    Likes Received:
    136
    Trophy Points:
    143
    PCGuy12, what is an xp limitation?
     
    ddp, Oct 13, 2010
    #6
  7. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Messages:
    33,335
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    118
    32-bit XP (and all other typical 32-bit OSes) is limited to addressing only 3.25GB of RAM, it cannot see more.
     
    sammorris, Oct 13, 2010
    #7
  8. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
    Messages:
    39,167
    Likes Received:
    136
    Trophy Points:
    143
    sam, i know but wanted to see PCGuy's explanation.
     
    ddp, Oct 13, 2010
    #8
  9. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Messages:
    33,335
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    118
    Perhaps he's only aware of the problem occurring for XP.
     
    sammorris, Oct 13, 2010
    #9
  10. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
    Messages:
    39,167
    Likes Received:
    136
    Trophy Points:
    143
    then shouldn't be "Specializing in PC Modding and Gaming" as per his sig.
     
    ddp, Oct 13, 2010
    #10

Share This Page