Vista reducing availible ram?

bogmaerke

New Member
My friend & I is having some problems with our ram.
We both have 4 gb, he's laptop shows 2.54gb ram availible. (Under System information)
And mine shows the same amount, sometimes.

What can course this?

I'm running Vista Ultimate x64, and he's running Vista Home Premium x86.

[A little side question.
When a motherboard supports Dual Channel ram, does the ram have to be dual channel for it to run DC?
And (if I have 2 ram dimms) do I put 1 in DIMM A1 and one in A2, or A1 and B1 ?]
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Dual Core E2200 @ 2.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P5B-VM
    Memory
    4,00 GB (2.5 availible)
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 8500GT
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FLATTRON W2361V 23" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    250 GB & 150 GB
    PSU
    Unknown
    Case
    Unknown
    Cooling
    Fanless CPU heatsink
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    A4-Tech X7 XL-750BF
    Internet Speed
    2mbit/512kbit
Any windows 32-bit OS doesn't recognize any amount of RAM higher than 3GB.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    AMD Phenom 9650 2.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900
Any windows 32-bit OS doesn't recognize any amount of RAM higher than 3GB.

Why does it show it at my computer sometimes then?
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Dual Core E2200 @ 2.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P5B-VM
    Memory
    4,00 GB (2.5 availible)
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 8500GT
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FLATTRON W2361V 23" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    250 GB & 150 GB
    PSU
    Unknown
    Case
    Unknown
    Cooling
    Fanless CPU heatsink
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    A4-Tech X7 XL-750BF
    Internet Speed
    2mbit/512kbit
[A little side question.
When a motherboard supports Dual Channel ram, does the ram have to be dual channel for it to run DC?
And (if I have 2 ram dimms) do I put 1 in DIMM A1 and one in A2, or A1 and B1 ?]

its not the ram chips but the motherboard thats dual channel , you are however better off buying a "matched pair" of ram modules for dual channel , and on rare occations some mobos memory controllers have problems with certain types of ram in dual channel so be carefull.

as for the second part it depends on your mobo , you'll have to look it up in your instruction book , most new boards are colour coded but generally if for example in order from left to right you had.........

A1 A2 B1 B2 for dual channel with 2 sticks you would go A1 B1 , you can also fill all four and still be dual channel

if you get it wrong it it will still boot , just not in dual channel mode

yuor momo manual will tell you how to do it :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 @ 4Gig / Titan Fenir
    Motherboard
    XFX 780i
    Memory
    4GB OCZ PC2-8500C5 DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gainward GTX260/216 SLI
    Sound Card
    Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell UltraSharp 2209WA 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    western digital raptor 10000rpm sata
    PSU
    OCZ Modstream 700w
    Cooling
    Titan Fenir
    Keyboard
    Razer Reclusa
    Mouse
    Logitech G5 Gamer
    Internet Speed
    8mb
Any windows 32-bit OS doesn't recognize any amount of RAM higher than 3GB.

Why does it show it at my computer sometimes then?


In a 32bit system, the 4GBs can be anything from 2.5 to 3.5GBs available. That depends on the other users of the address space. See here for some more details ( Reader Question: Maximum Memory in 32-bit Windows Vista - Windows Vista help ).
You get the best picture of your actual situation when you look into Task Manager > Performance tab. It shows you Total (available) - which is 3325MBs of my 4GBs of RAM, and it shows you the "Free" which is not used for anything (caching, etc.)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Q6600
    Memory
    4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Hard Drives
    2x250GB HDDs
    1x60GB OCZ SSD
    6 external disks 60 to 640GBs
    Other Info
    Also 1xHP desktop, 1xHP laptop, 1xGateway laptop
Any windows 32-bit OS doesn't recognize any amount of RAM higher than 3GB.

Why does it show it at my computer sometimes then?


In a 32bit system, the 4GBs can be anything from 2.5 to 3.5GBs available. That depends on the other users of the address space. See here for some more details ( Reader Question: Maximum Memory in 32-bit Windows Vista - Windows Vista help ).
You get the best picture of your actual situation when you look into Task Manager > Performance tab. It shows you Total (available) - which is 3325MBs of my 4GBs of RAM, and it shows you the "Free" which is not used for anything (caching, etc.)

he has 64 bit Vista
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 @ 4Gig / Titan Fenir
    Motherboard
    XFX 780i
    Memory
    4GB OCZ PC2-8500C5 DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gainward GTX260/216 SLI
    Sound Card
    Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell UltraSharp 2209WA 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    western digital raptor 10000rpm sata
    PSU
    OCZ Modstream 700w
    Cooling
    Titan Fenir
    Keyboard
    Razer Reclusa
    Mouse
    Logitech G5 Gamer
    Internet Speed
    8mb
Any windows 32-bit OS doesn't recognize any amount of RAM higher than 3GB.

Why does it show it at my computer sometimes then?


In a 32bit system, the 4GBs can be anything from 2.5 to 3.5GBs available. That depends on the other users of the address space. See here for some more details ( Reader Question: Maximum Memory in 32-bit Windows Vista - Windows Vista help ).
You get the best picture of your actual situation when you look into Task Manager > Performance tab. It shows you Total (available) - which is 3325MBs of my 4GBs of RAM, and it shows you the "Free" which is not used for anything (caching, etc.)

2494 MB.:huh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Dual Core E2200 @ 2.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P5B-VM
    Memory
    4,00 GB (2.5 availible)
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 8500GT
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FLATTRON W2361V 23" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    250 GB & 150 GB
    PSU
    Unknown
    Case
    Unknown
    Cooling
    Fanless CPU heatsink
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    A4-Tech X7 XL-750BF
    Internet Speed
    2mbit/512kbit
what motherboard do you have?

what memory configuration?

does it sometimes show all your memory?

if you right click computer and select properties.........is that where your looking?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 @ 4Gig / Titan Fenir
    Motherboard
    XFX 780i
    Memory
    4GB OCZ PC2-8500C5 DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gainward GTX260/216 SLI
    Sound Card
    Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell UltraSharp 2209WA 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    western digital raptor 10000rpm sata
    PSU
    OCZ Modstream 700w
    Cooling
    Titan Fenir
    Keyboard
    Razer Reclusa
    Mouse
    Logitech G5 Gamer
    Internet Speed
    8mb
what motherboard do you have?

what memory configuration?

does it sometimes show all your memory?

if you right click computer and select properties.........is that where your looking?

Asus P5B-VM

Don't know what configuration?

Under computer->properties it shows Memory (RAM): 4.00 GB
And sometimes Memory (RAM): 4.00 GB (2.5 GB availible)
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Dual Core E2200 @ 2.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P5B-VM
    Memory
    4,00 GB (2.5 availible)
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 8500GT
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FLATTRON W2361V 23" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    250 GB & 150 GB
    PSU
    Unknown
    Case
    Unknown
    Cooling
    Fanless CPU heatsink
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    A4-Tech X7 XL-750BF
    Internet Speed
    2mbit/512kbit
i meant do you have 4 x 1gb sticks or 2 x 2gb sticks that sort of thing incase its an issue there with your mobo and bios perhaps

if it always shows 4gb of ram im assuming its all fine , you may check it half way through its cacheing process sometimes which is why it shows an erroneous ammout of free ram , i think its all good :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 @ 4Gig / Titan Fenir
    Motherboard
    XFX 780i
    Memory
    4GB OCZ PC2-8500C5 DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gainward GTX260/216 SLI
    Sound Card
    Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell UltraSharp 2209WA 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    western digital raptor 10000rpm sata
    PSU
    OCZ Modstream 700w
    Cooling
    Titan Fenir
    Keyboard
    Razer Reclusa
    Mouse
    Logitech G5 Gamer
    Internet Speed
    8mb
i meant do you have 4 x 1gb sticks or 2 x 2gb sticks that sort of thing incase its an issue there with your mobo and bios perhaps

if it always shows 4gb of ram im assuming its all fine , you may check it half way through its cacheing process sometimes which is why it shows an erroneous ammout of free ram , i think its all good :)

2x2 gb.
Not the exact same kind.
Kingston and Corsair. Both is 800 mhz bus.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Dual Core E2200 @ 2.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P5B-VM
    Memory
    4,00 GB (2.5 availible)
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 8500GT
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FLATTRON W2361V 23" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    250 GB & 150 GB
    PSU
    Unknown
    Case
    Unknown
    Cooling
    Fanless CPU heatsink
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    A4-Tech X7 XL-750BF
    Internet Speed
    2mbit/512kbit
i meant do you have 4 x 1gb sticks or 2 x 2gb sticks that sort of thing incase its an issue there with your mobo and bios perhaps

if it always shows 4gb of ram im assuming its all fine , you may check it half way through its cacheing process sometimes which is why it shows an erroneous ammout of free ram , i think its all good :)

-Sorry for double posting-

There's been an update.

I installed x64 ultimate on his computer now, and it shows 4096 mb availible under performance tab in task manager. And still only 2494 mb at me. I tried moving the two dimms to A1 B1 instead of A1 A2. No change.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Dual Core E2200 @ 2.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P5B-VM
    Memory
    4,00 GB (2.5 availible)
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 8500GT
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FLATTRON W2361V 23" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    250 GB & 150 GB
    PSU
    Unknown
    Case
    Unknown
    Cooling
    Fanless CPU heatsink
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    A4-Tech X7 XL-750BF
    Internet Speed
    2mbit/512kbit
Back
Top