RAM question

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by Seahawkr, Feb 22, 2006.

  1. Seahawkr

    Seahawkr Member

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    I bought a computer with 512 RAM but when i check the system properties it says "2.39 MHZ 384 MB of RAM".

    On the other hand when i check system information it says i have

    "Total Physical memory : 512.0 MB"

    Im just wondering whats goin on is my RAM broke is my computer broke? Did i mess it up? How do i get my comp to use the 512 MB i bought :(
     
    Seahawkr, Feb 22, 2006
    #1
  2. Morph416

    Morph416 Active member

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    Are you using a motherboard with onboard video? Onboard video takes it's memory straight from the system at whatever setting is set in the system BIOS. In your case, if this is true, it's set to use 128mb of system memory.
     
    Morph416, Feb 22, 2006
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  3. Seahawkr

    Seahawkr Member

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    Ah So when i buy a new video card this will be fixed?
     
    Seahawkr, Feb 22, 2006
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  4. boxwrench

    boxwrench Guest

    The answer is yes,providing your new card has on-board memory.Try to get one with at least 128mb.
     
    boxwrench, Feb 22, 2006
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  5. Morph416

    Morph416 Active member

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    The answer is actually "maybe"! Only if the motherboard's BIOS is capable of disabling the shared memory feature. Newer boards can, but older boards, say from 2003 on back, do not. Even though you choose to use the AGP slot, it still doesn't give the system memory back.

    What's the motherboard make/model? I'll look up the manual, see if it has that option in the BIOS.
     
    Morph416, Feb 23, 2006
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