Quick RAM question

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

  1. miker1

    miker1 Member

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    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

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    32bit windows or 64bit windows? what does the bios show for installed ram?
     
    ddp, Sep 28, 2010
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  3. miker1

    miker1 Member

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    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
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  4. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    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
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  5. PCGuy12

    PCGuy12 Member

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    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
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  6. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    PCGuy12, what is an xp limitation?
     
    ddp, Oct 13, 2010
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  7. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    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
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  8. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    sam, i know but wanted to see PCGuy's explanation.
     
    ddp, Oct 13, 2010
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  9. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Perhaps he's only aware of the problem occurring for XP.
     
    sammorris, Oct 13, 2010
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  10. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    then shouldn't be "Specializing in PC Modding and Gaming" as per his sig.
     
    ddp, Oct 13, 2010
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