4gb ram installed but 2.75gb useable?

[macgig]

is this normal? just wondering. thanks. win 7 sp1, 32 bit

 

[GokAy]

With 32bit you should be having 3.2GB total usable. Are your RAM matching brand/model?

Open Resource Monitor, switch to memory tab and post a screenshot with the bar showing. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[macgig]

here is what I had in there: (hp g60 445dx is the laptop model)

1gb 2rx16 pc2 5300s samsung
2gb 2rx8 pc2 6400s kingston

now I have:

2gb 2rx8 pc2 6400s
2gb 2rx8 pc2 6400s

 

[GokAy]

Ok, this is usually happens when there is an incompatibility with RAM, configuration or just the wrong slots. Notice the Hardware reserved section (grey colored bar), do you have any settings for GPU memory within BIOS?

Try:
- loading defaults in BIOS, and make sure RAM are running at their specified specs (voltage and timings)
- if no go, try the other 2 slots (if there are)

 

[Mellon Head]

Is this question for the iMac, the Dell, or the Compaq?

EDIT: Never mind, it's for the laptop. You clarified.

If it's for the Dell or Compaq, do you have integrated graphics in either of those? I suppose the laptop would have them. IIRC, integrated graphics can lower the amount of memory available to the system by between 256 and 384 (or more) MB. That would put you around 2.75 GB on a 32 bit system.

 

[macgig]

loading bios defaults now. their are only 2 slots so I cant move them to another slot.... restarting now..

 

[Mellon Head]

Notice that 1282 MB of RAM is "Hardware Reserved".

It's the onboard graphics reserving some RAM for it's own use.

 

[macgig]

its an HP hp g60 445dx laptop. changing bios defaults did nothing.

still shows 4gb ram, 2.75gb useable. both ram chips at least match now, before they did not.

 

[GokAy]

Oh well, it was worth the try.

 

[macgig]

thanks for trying. guess it is what it is.

did not see any GPU settings in bios.

 

[Alejandro85]

A few comments here. I'll assume at this point that hardware problems are ruled out.

32 bits client versions of Windows arbitrarily restricts memory to 4GB, regardless of how much you actually have. An on-board graphics card is a typical reason for that, and if that's the case nothing will "recover" that memory (it would be used by the GPU, not wasted but not at the OS's disposal).
But if you have a dedicated GPU, then upgrading to a 64 bits Windows would recover those and get the full 4GB. The memory in 32 bits Windows is effectively wasted there (for a different combination of causes).

 

[gregrocker]

The amount of RAM available to 32 bit Win7 is closer to 3.75 gb so having 1gb reserved for GPU would bring it to what you have.

You'd only regain .25 gb by changing to 64 bit, although you might be able to adjust the amount the GPU reserves in BIOS setup as earlier suggested.

However if this is the HP factory install then you should Clean Reinstall Windows 7 with 64 bit anyway since the HP Factory install is the worst possible install, larded with the worst load of bloatware in the industry which interferes with better versions built into the OS. You won't even experience real Win7 on that PC until you do.

 

[macgig]

great tips thanks. I dont see a GPU setting in bios. I probably wont be buying 64 bit win 7 anytime soon. dont have the $ for it right now.

 

[Alejandro85]

great tips thanks. I dont see a GPU setting in bios. I probably wont be buying 64 bit win 7 anytime soon. dont have the $ for it right now.

Don't need to buy anything. The very same license applies to both 32 and 64 bits, as long as it's the same edition. Just install x64 and use your very same serial to activate it.

 

[macgig]

this pc was given to me. if that makes any difference. so you're saying I can download and install the 64 bit win 7 for free? the windows COA tag on it is faded out, cant even read it.

hmmm, wonder if installing windows 10 would fix the issue?

 

[GokAy]

You can find out your product key with one of these 22 Free Product Key Finder Programs (July 2015)

Then clean install with a 64bit installation media http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html using your key

Hardest challenge is finding the installation ISOs, if you have a retail copy you can download from Microsoft Software Recovery

 

[Laith]

This happend to me once. Change to 64-bit.

 

[gregrocker]

The key on COA sticker (which should be preserved like any other $100+ value property) cannot be read from the mobo unless it was already used to do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7.

As it explains in tutorial, the key which comes embedded from factory is a batch key that cannot be used for reinstall, which is the reason why the COA sticker is required by MS to be affixed.

In this case you can order factory Recovery disks although they will likely be in the same bit-version as shipped. You can try to probe this with your PC's Tech Support, sometimes requiring calling back until you get someone who is competent and/or helpful.

There is also a method to back up SLP factory activation file to reinstall it afterward, but it is not supported by decision of the Admin of these forums so you will have to research it on your own and not ask further questions about it here. I do not know if it will work with a 32>64 bit-version switch.

Can you read the Product Key off sticker with the aid of a powerful light and magnifying glass? Sometimes taking a picture on a phone and zooming in will show enough to discern the key.

 

[GokAy]

The key on COA sticker (which should be preserved like any other $100+ value property) cannot be read from the mobo unless it was already used to do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7.

Meh, I took a photo of mine right away reading your comment even though it is safe inside battery compartment.

Also noticed mine say "Windows 7 Home Prem OA MEA" - MEA is Middle East Africa but what is OA? What kind of key is this? (It is an MSI laptop)

 

[gregrocker]

OA is Offline Activation, which means batch key used at factory as best I can tell. It never has any bearing on online reactivation with COA key that I've seen.

However sometimes regional specifications like you also have can mean some restrictions. MS Customer Service can clarify this as it is different in various regions.