Windows 7: 4GB memory, only 2GB usable?

How is it that even on a Core 2 Duo with Windows 7 64bit installed, only 2GB is usable out of the 4GB installed? Why?

In msconfig, I set the advanced boot option to 2 CPU cores and 4096 memory.

asusqhq.png at Pingy - Free Image Hosting

what MOBO you're using??

Type msconfig in search. You may have max mem set at 2 gigs. Max mem, and max cpu, should be unchecked

Hello TheUnseen,

Do you have a graphics card installed or a integrated graphics chip on your system?

If integrated, then you may have the other 2GB allocated for it in BIOS.

In MSCONFIG, uncheck both of those options below to have Windows 7 use all of them by default.

Memory - Set Maximum Amount Used by Windows 7

Processors - Limit Number Used by Windows 7

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Just because it is a Core 2 Duo doesn't mean it will utilize 4GB of RAM. As Ryo pointed out, the Mobo matters as well.

Also untick maximum memory. A setting of 4096 will not allow you to use all of your memory.

Some laptop chipsets have a maximum of 2GB of memory, no matter how much you put in.

He likly only has 2GB installed. Someone just told him he had 4 or that intalling a x64 OS would give it to him.

I have seen it before. Guy swore he had 4 gigs. I pulled a chip to find it was a 1 gig chip. But it said 2048 on the chip because it was a set of 2 1gig chips for 2048. Therefore they though they had 2gig chips.

For 2 gigs to vanish would be either a bad memory controler, bad memory, improper install(not fully locked down).

If the PC is 2 years old or younger it very likly supports at least 4 gigs.

Probably user error.

The OP most likely has an integrated graphics controller that is sharing the available system memory.

I have rarely seen more then 256mb alocated for Video for the onboard.
It dosent account for the entire 2GB.