Windows 7: How to configure ram?

How do I configure my Dell Optiplex 760 tower (with Windows 7 Pro OS) to utilize all of its available RAM (4 g). Currently, it's using only about 2/3 of that.

If you are running 32 bit you dont. Plus you dont want all you available ram to be used or you will start using the page file which is much slower.

Can we get more info on what you want to do??

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I'm sorry - apparently this forum encrypts a copy and paste to my screenshot I just sent you on my system. I'm attaching the screenshot here. Here's my reply ZigZag to my former message, in case you didn't get it (and screenshot attached).

No, this is 64-bit. I've been told that I'm utilizing all the capacity of the RAM (as it could be much faster if it were utilized, from what I've been told). Here's a screenshot of my system if that will help you. The Dell technician told me this issue on the phone, but they wanted $100 in order for THEM to (install some software) to implement the maximum amount of RAM available on the system.

Do you have onboard video?

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure (forgive me for my ignorance). I just got the PC a few days ago. Is there a quick way for me to find out?

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Dell =

Trace the video cable from the monitor to the computer and see where it's attached. If the connection is built into the motherboard then it's onboard. If it's connected to a card which is plugged into a slot on the motherboard then you have a separate video card.

The reason I ask is that onboard video shares RAM with the system, which would account for the difference.

Thanks so much Prof for your help. I look, and the monitor cable is plugged into the top (1 of 3) horizontal (metal) rows at the bottom of the tower, similar to the image I'm attaching here. So, could you tell me which it is? (Sorry once again for my lack of knowledge)

I'm assuming you nabbed a generic picture and there is actually something occupying the top blank slot (where the circled "3" is) on your computer. Is that right?

Dell's website isn't much help, but they do list a VGA connector (the circled "2") as being standard. Whether they mean on a separate card or onboard is not clear. I'd venture a guess that it comes with onboard video which you may not be using. If so, you can (possibly) disable the onboard video in the BIOS and get what looks to be about 256MB of RAM freed up. (4.00GB actually equals 4096 MB, subtract the 3.87 Windows is showing, account for a rounding error, and you're at 256MB.)

If you are not comfortable dealing with the BIOS it is better to ask questions before doing anything. Dell doesn't usually give you much to change around to begin with, but if you disable your onboard video and don't have a separate card you will be facing an even more complicated job - and possibly temporarily be without any video at all until you fix it.

I'm definitely not trying to scare you into paying Dell's $100 "protection money" extortion, just advising you to ask questions about anything you are not 100% sure of.

Yes, that's right - I just got a quick photo; but the slots on the bottom ("3) is correct. My monitor plug is in the top of the three (only on my Dell tower, of course). You're a genius at this, I see (wow!). And, what you told me is just about what the Dell tech told me on the phone - that I could be utilizing about 1/3 more RAM.

I GREATLY appreciate your help here, and I'll probably end up paying Dell this money . . . only, not right now. I'm really financially strapped, as I just had my dad's Memorial Service just two days ago (http://www.polk-fl.net/staff/weeklyc...FrankCHild.pdf).

Thanks so much again, Prof for your help. God bless . . . Larry Hild