Vista - Vista RAM Question

Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no changes
except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as displayed in
Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take) of RAM
is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for some
reason with Vista?

"White Phoenix" <White Phoenix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:36041B06-5910-4FD9-9F57-A8FDAFA700EF@microsoft.com...
> Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
> I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no changes
> except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as displayed
> in
> Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take) of
> RAM
> is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for some
> reason with Vista?


Depends... do you have two 512MB sticks? If so, maybe one of them "came
loose." Try reseating your RAM.

If you have a single 1GB stick, then check to see what's eating up the 500MB
of RAM. Doubtful that it's be your on-board video card...

Lang

No Memory Sticks, just the Laptops internal base RAM... That's what I mean, I
didn't change anything, just installed Vista, so... I don't know...

"Lang Murphy" wrote:

> "White Phoenix" <White Phoenix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:36041B06-5910-4FD9-9F57-A8FDAFA700EF@microsoft.com...
> > Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
> > I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no changes
> > except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as displayed
> > in
> > Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take) of
> > RAM
> > is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for some
> > reason with Vista?
>
>
> Depends... do you have two 512MB sticks? If so, maybe one of them "came
> loose." Try reseating your RAM.
>
> If you have a single 1GB stick, then check to see what's eating up the 500MB
> of RAM. Doubtful that it's be your on-board video card...
>
> Lang
>

The "base RAM" should still take the form of "sticks," in other words RAM
modules.
It's not like the computer has RAM hardwired into the machine like a Vic 20
or an Atari.
They are in the form of removable modules. If you have two such modules, one
of them may have shaken loose.



"White Phoenix" <WhitePhoenix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FFE29991-0681-422D-9143-33FBA750F009@microsoft.com...
> No Memory Sticks, just the Laptops internal base RAM... That's what I
> mean, I
> didn't change anything, just installed Vista, so... I don't know...
>
> "Lang Murphy" wrote:
>
>> "White Phoenix" <White Phoenix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message
>> news:36041B06-5910-4FD9-9F57-A8FDAFA700EF@microsoft.com...
>> > Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
>> > I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no changes
>> > except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as
>> > displayed
>> > in
>> > Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take) of
>> > RAM
>> > is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for
>> > some
>> > reason with Vista?
>>
>>
>> Depends... do you have two 512MB sticks? If so, maybe one of them "came
>> loose." Try reseating your RAM.
>>
>> If you have a single 1GB stick, then check to see what's eating up the
>> 500MB
>> of RAM. Doubtful that it's be your on-board video card...
>>
>> Lang
>>

Hmmm.... makes me wonder if my issue is related. I got a new Vista Home
Basic laptop, which came with 2 slots, one with a 1/2 GB memory stick.

I bought two 1 GB sticks but have a problem.... if I put either one of them
in with the original 1/2 GB, I get 1-1/2 GB total. If I put either of the
new 1 GB sticks into either slot, I have 1 GB. But if I put both new 1 GB
sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I get a checksum error and it
won't boot up.

It's a Toshiaba Satellite... I'll be checking with them.
--
website references are to www.papajohn.org

PapaJohn


"Lang Murphy" <lang_murphy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:FDD6CDA4-54A6-4D92-9F15-0BBC019AECF7@microsoft.com...
> "White Phoenix" <White Phoenix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:36041B06-5910-4FD9-9F57-A8FDAFA700EF@microsoft.com...
>> Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
>> I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no changes
>> except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as
>> displayed in
>> Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take) of
>> RAM
>> is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for
>> some
>> reason with Vista?
>
>
> Depends... do you have two 512MB sticks? If so, maybe one of them "came
> loose." Try reseating your RAM.
>
> If you have a single 1GB stick, then check to see what's eating up the
> 500MB of RAM. Doubtful that it's be your on-board video card...
>
> Lang

Hi,

My 2 cents,

Do you know how to get into BIOS settings? If so, go there and see memory
size reported there. If it's 1GB, I'll guess it has something to do with OS
for your problem, otherwise, I'll guess it might be a hardware problem.

You should be able to find out how to getting into BIOS settings from your
user's manual - usually press F2 or Del key or ?? during boot-up.

Hope this helps and good luck.


"White Phoenix" <White Phoenix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:36041B06-5910-4FD9-9F57-A8FDAFA700EF@microsoft.com...
> Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
> I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no changes
> except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as displayed
> in
> Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take) of
> RAM
> is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for some
> reason with Vista?

Hi,

Just trying to understand so others may help you,

You said..

> if I put either one of them in with the original 1/2 GB, I get 1-1/2 GB
> total.

OK, but..

>If I put either of the new 1 GB sticks into either slot, I have 1 GB.

Did you put in the original 1/2GB? Because if not, you got the below
checksum error, and if yes, you got the first result (1-1/2GB), so how did
you get 1GB recognized?

>But if I put both new 1 GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I
>get a checksum error and it won't boot up.

Could it be that your system/MB uses "dual channel" meaning memory sticks
have to be put into matching banks alougth may not require identical
modules?

Did you try 2 x 1GB? Will it work?

Just guessing so others may help you.

"PapaJohn" <papajohn@chartermi.net> wrote in message
news:etk$6Tn0HHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Hmmm.... makes me wonder if my issue is related. I got a new Vista Home
> Basic laptop, which came with 2 slots, one with a 1/2 GB memory stick.
>
> I bought two 1 GB sticks but have a problem.... if I put either one of
> them in with the original 1/2 GB, I get 1-1/2 GB total. If I put either of
> the new 1 GB sticks into either slot, I have 1 GB. But if I put both new 1
> GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I get a checksum error and
> it won't boot up.
>
> It's a Toshiaba Satellite... I'll be checking with them.
> --
> website references are to www.papajohn.org
>
> PapaJohn
>
>
> "Lang Murphy" <lang_murphy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:FDD6CDA4-54A6-4D92-9F15-0BBC019AECF7@microsoft.com...
>> "White Phoenix" <White Phoenix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message news:36041B06-5910-4FD9-9F57-A8FDAFA700EF@microsoft.com...
>>> Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
>>> I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no changes
>>> except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as
>>> displayed in
>>> Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take) of
>>> RAM
>>> is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for
>>> some
>>> reason with Vista?
>>
>>
>> Depends... do you have two 512MB sticks? If so, maybe one of them "came
>> loose." Try reseating your RAM.
>>
>> If you have a single 1GB stick, then check to see what's eating up the
>> 500MB of RAM. Doubtful that it's be your on-board video card...
>>
>> Lang
>
>

Sorry, I misread your problem, please disregard my post.

You said you tried 2 x 1GB.

>>But if I put both new 1 GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I
>>get a checksum error and it won't boot up.

I have no idea.

"xfile" <cou-cou@remove.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:uLVt$Ep0HHA.1100@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
>
> Just trying to understand so others may help you,
>
> You said..
>
>> if I put either one of them in with the original 1/2 GB, I get 1-1/2 GB
>> total.
>
> OK, but..
>
>>If I put either of the new 1 GB sticks into either slot, I have 1 GB.
>
> Did you put in the original 1/2GB? Because if not, you got the below
> checksum error, and if yes, you got the first result (1-1/2GB), so how did
> you get 1GB recognized?
>
>>But if I put both new 1 GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I
>>get a checksum error and it won't boot up.
>
> Could it be that your system/MB uses "dual channel" meaning memory sticks
> have to be put into matching banks alougth may not require identical
> modules?
>
> Did you try 2 x 1GB? Will it work?
>
> Just guessing so others may help you.
>
> "PapaJohn" <papajohn@chartermi.net> wrote in message
> news:etk$6Tn0HHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Hmmm.... makes me wonder if my issue is related. I got a new Vista Home
>> Basic laptop, which came with 2 slots, one with a 1/2 GB memory stick.
>>
>> I bought two 1 GB sticks but have a problem.... if I put either one of
>> them in with the original 1/2 GB, I get 1-1/2 GB total. If I put either
>> of
>> the new 1 GB sticks into either slot, I have 1 GB. But if I put both new
>> 1
>> GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I get a checksum error
>> and
>> it won't boot up.
>>
>> It's a Toshiaba Satellite... I'll be checking with them.
>> --
>> website references are to www.papajohn.org
>>
>> PapaJohn
>>
>>
>> "Lang Murphy" <lang_murphy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:FDD6CDA4-54A6-4D92-9F15-0BBC019AECF7@microsoft.com...
>>> "White Phoenix" <White Phoenix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>>> message news:36041B06-5910-4FD9-9F57-A8FDAFA700EF@microsoft.com...
>>>> Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
>>>> I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no changes
>>>> except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as
>>>> displayed in
>>>> Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take) of
>>>> RAM
>>>> is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for
>>>> some
>>>> reason with Vista?
>>>
>>>
>>> Depends... do you have two 512MB sticks? If so, maybe one of them "came
>>> loose." Try reseating your RAM.
>>>
>>> If you have a single 1GB stick, then check to see what's eating up the
>>> 500MB of RAM. Doubtful that it's be your on-board video card...
>>>
>>> Lang
>>
>>
>
>
>

yes, that's the only way I get a checksum error, by putting in both 1 GB
sticks to move the RAM up to 2 GB.... that was my goal when purchasing the
two new 1 GB sticks.

Both 1 GB sticks work fine by themself in either slot. 1/2 GB works fine...
it should as it's the one that came with the computer. Either 1 GB stick
with the 1/2 GB one work fine for 1-1/2 GB total.

Thanks for thinking about it
--
website references are to www.papajohn.org

PapaJohn


"xfile" <cou-cou@remove.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:OIYyxOp0HHA.1100@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Sorry, I misread your problem, please disregard my post.
>
> You said you tried 2 x 1GB.
>
>>>But if I put both new 1 GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I
>>>get a checksum error and it won't boot up.
>
> I have no idea.
>
> "xfile" <cou-cou@remove.nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:uLVt$Ep0HHA.1100@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Hi,
>>
>> Just trying to understand so others may help you,
>>
>> You said..
>>
>>> if I put either one of them in with the original 1/2 GB, I get 1-1/2 GB
>>> total.
>>
>> OK, but..
>>
>>>If I put either of the new 1 GB sticks into either slot, I have 1 GB.
>>
>> Did you put in the original 1/2GB? Because if not, you got the below
>> checksum error, and if yes, you got the first result (1-1/2GB), so how
>> did you get 1GB recognized?
>>
>>>But if I put both new 1 GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I
>>>get a checksum error and it won't boot up.
>>
>> Could it be that your system/MB uses "dual channel" meaning memory
>> sticks have to be put into matching banks alougth may not require
>> identical modules?
>>
>> Did you try 2 x 1GB? Will it work?
>>
>> Just guessing so others may help you.
>>
>> "PapaJohn" <papajohn@chartermi.net> wrote in message
>> news:etk$6Tn0HHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>> Hmmm.... makes me wonder if my issue is related. I got a new Vista Home
>>> Basic laptop, which came with 2 slots, one with a 1/2 GB memory stick.
>>>
>>> I bought two 1 GB sticks but have a problem.... if I put either one of
>>> them in with the original 1/2 GB, I get 1-1/2 GB total. If I put either
>>> of
>>> the new 1 GB sticks into either slot, I have 1 GB. But if I put both new
>>> 1
>>> GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I get a checksum error
>>> and
>>> it won't boot up.
>>>
>>> It's a Toshiaba Satellite... I'll be checking with them.
>>> --
>>> website references are to www.papajohn.org
>>>
>>> PapaJohn
>>>
>>>
>>> "Lang Murphy" <lang_murphy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:FDD6CDA4-54A6-4D92-9F15-0BBC019AECF7@microsoft.com...
>>>> "White Phoenix" <White Phoenix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>>>> message news:36041B06-5910-4FD9-9F57-A8FDAFA700EF@microsoft.com...
>>>>> Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
>>>>> I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no
>>>>> changes
>>>>> except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as
>>>>> displayed in
>>>>> Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take)
>>>>> of
>>>>> RAM
>>>>> is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for
>>>>> some
>>>>> reason with Vista?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Depends... do you have two 512MB sticks? If so, maybe one of them "came
>>>> loose." Try reseating your RAM.
>>>>
>>>> If you have a single 1GB stick, then check to see what's eating up the
>>>> 500MB of RAM. Doubtful that it's be your on-board video card...
>>>>
>>>> Lang
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

You are welcome and good luck

"PapaJohn" <papajohn@chartermi.net> wrote in message
news:%23%23IBZZs0HHA.748@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> yes, that's the only way I get a checksum error, by putting in both 1 GB
> sticks to move the RAM up to 2 GB.... that was my goal when purchasing the
> two new 1 GB sticks.
>
> Both 1 GB sticks work fine by themself in either slot. 1/2 GB works
> fine... it should as it's the one that came with the computer. Either 1 GB
> stick with the 1/2 GB one work fine for 1-1/2 GB total.
>
> Thanks for thinking about it
> --
> website references are to www.papajohn.org
>
> PapaJohn
>
>
> "xfile" <cou-cou@remove.nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:OIYyxOp0HHA.1100@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Sorry, I misread your problem, please disregard my post.
>>
>> You said you tried 2 x 1GB.
>>
>>>>But if I put both new 1 GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick,
>>>>I
>>>>get a checksum error and it won't boot up.
>>
>> I have no idea.
>>
>> "xfile" <cou-cou@remove.nospam.com> wrote in message
>> news:uLVt$Ep0HHA.1100@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Just trying to understand so others may help you,
>>>
>>> You said..
>>>
>>>> if I put either one of them in with the original 1/2 GB, I get 1-1/2 GB
>>>> total.
>>>
>>> OK, but..
>>>
>>>>If I put either of the new 1 GB sticks into either slot, I have 1 GB.
>>>
>>> Did you put in the original 1/2GB? Because if not, you got the below
>>> checksum error, and if yes, you got the first result (1-1/2GB), so how
>>> did you get 1GB recognized?
>>>
>>>>But if I put both new 1 GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick,
>>>>I
>>>>get a checksum error and it won't boot up.
>>>
>>> Could it be that your system/MB uses "dual channel" meaning memory
>>> sticks have to be put into matching banks alougth may not require
>>> identical modules?
>>>
>>> Did you try 2 x 1GB? Will it work?
>>>
>>> Just guessing so others may help you.
>>>
>>> "PapaJohn" <papajohn@chartermi.net> wrote in message
>>> news:etk$6Tn0HHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>>> Hmmm.... makes me wonder if my issue is related. I got a new Vista Home
>>>> Basic laptop, which came with 2 slots, one with a 1/2 GB memory stick.
>>>>
>>>> I bought two 1 GB sticks but have a problem.... if I put either one of
>>>> them in with the original 1/2 GB, I get 1-1/2 GB total. If I put either
>>>> of
>>>> the new 1 GB sticks into either slot, I have 1 GB. But if I put both
>>>> new 1
>>>> GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I get a checksum error
>>>> and
>>>> it won't boot up.
>>>>
>>>> It's a Toshiaba Satellite... I'll be checking with them.
>>>> --
>>>> website references are to www.papajohn.org
>>>>
>>>> PapaJohn
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Lang Murphy" <lang_murphy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:FDD6CDA4-54A6-4D92-9F15-0BBC019AECF7@microsoft.com...
>>>>> "White Phoenix" <White Phoenix@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>>>>> message news:36041B06-5910-4FD9-9F57-A8FDAFA700EF@microsoft.com...
>>>>>> Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
>>>>>> I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no
>>>>>> changes
>>>>>> except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as
>>>>>> displayed in
>>>>>> Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take)
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> RAM
>>>>>> is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for
>>>>>> some
>>>>>> reason with Vista?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Depends... do you have two 512MB sticks? If so, maybe one of them
>>>>> "came
>>>>> loose." Try reseating your RAM.
>>>>>
>>>>> If you have a single 1GB stick, then check to see what's eating up the
>>>>> 500MB of RAM. Doubtful that it's be your on-board video card...
>>>>>
>>>>> Lang
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>