Installed 4GB of RAM in Windows 7 x64 but only 2.99/1.38 is available.

Hello,

I have a laptop HP Pavilion dv2425la that originally came with 32bit Vista and have been upgrading
the OS ever since.

I recently got installed two RAM sticks of 2GB each (4GB total), I formatted my laptop and installed Windows 7 Ultimate x64 in order to be able to use them.

However, system information reports the 4GB installed, 2.99GB total and only 1.38GB available.

I am aware that some of that memory is used in other areas but I would like to know
if this situation is normal for a laptop with this characteristics, or if there is something I could
do to improve the RAM usage.

Here I share my laptop's information:


OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64

Hewlett-Packard
System Model HP Pavilion dv2000 (GM691LA#ABM)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU, T5300 @ 1.73GHz, 1733 Mhz, 2 processors
BIOS version and date: Hewlett-Packard F.3B, 25/04/2008
SMBIOS version: 2.4

Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Toral Physical Memory 2.99 GB
Available Physical Memory 1.38 GB
Total Virtual Memory 5.98 GB
Available Virtual Memory 4.25 GB

Video Card:
Intel(R)GMA 950
DAC: Internal
256 MB

If you need anything else let me know.

NOTES:

I already tried unchecking/fixing the 'msconfig' memory maximum.
There are no BIOS updaes available for my laptop.
There is no remmaping option in BIOS.
There are currently no other programs installed but google chrome.

Thank you in advance.

ignatzatsonic said:

That memory maximum in msconfig should be unchecked, zero.

You might post a screenshot of the performance tab of Task Manager and a pic of the memory tab of Resource Monitor.

I've got 4 GB of RAM, with 2300 mb available right now--on a desktop. I'd say you're within the normal range.

Hi, thanks for the prompt reply.

The memory max in msconfig is unchecked and in zero.

Here are the Task Manager and Resource Monitor screenshots, it is all in spanish, but I hope it helps.

ignatzatsonic said:

Looks fine to me.

You've got over 1 GB hardware reserved. Not much you can do about that as far as I know.

If "disponible" got very low, then maybe you worry. Mine is nearly always above 1000 mb.

Alright, that's good to know. So, can we conclude it is usual for the system to reserve over 1GB for hardware?

ignatzatsonic said:

HouseOfUsher said:

Alright, that's good to know. So, can we conclude it is usual for the system to reserve over 1GB for hardware?

Hardware reserved varies widely from computer to computer. My home-built desktop only has 84 mb reserved. I don't use a video card.

I'm know little about laptops. My guess is that you are stuck with it based on the hardware you have.

Someone else might have another idea.

Thanks a lot, sounds reasonable, and it did help.

Hardware reserved can be a misconfiguration or incompatibility with the RAM. You can try loading defaults in BIOS. And switching the RAM slots. RAMs are the same make/model, right? While you are in BIOS check for GPU related entries, see if any RAM is reserved by it.

GokAy said:

Hardware reserved can be a misconfiguration or incompatibility with the RAM. You can try loading defaults in BIOS. And switching the RAM slots. RAMs are the same make/model, right? While you are in BIOS check for GPU related entries, see if any RAM is reserved by it.

The RAMs are not the same, I'm sendng a picture:




If I have to change one of those, which one should it be?


I'm looking for the GPU related entries in BIOS.

Try changing the RAM slots (crucial to where Hynix is and vice versa) and load defaults in BIOS (either first screen or exit menu). Different brands may very well be the reason for that high hardware reserved.

Does anything come up GPU related in BIOS?