3 GB visible of 4 GB Ram on 64-bit Windows

[matharoo]

I recently upgraded my 32-bit installation of Windows 7 to a 64-bit one. I changed my RAM setup from 3(2+1)GB to 4(2+2)GB. But, Windows just shows 3 GB Ram. It doesn't say it like "4 GB (3 GB usable)". No. It just shows me 3 GB, as if that's how much RAM I've installed, even dxdiag. However, if I open CPU-Z, it shows me the correct information - that I have 4 GB of RAM in a (2+2) mode.

So, what's going wrong? I'd really appreciate some help.

 

[samuria]

Some may have gone on video or other use often this is a setting in the BIOS

 

[MilesAhead]

I never heard of this before, but according to the page below if the ram is not fully seated when inserted you can get a situation where hw detection software can see it but Windows won't:

windows 7 - How can I get my 64-bit computer to recognize all of my RAM - Super User

But then again I am not a system builder so that could explain not seeing it up until now.

 

[Megahertz07]

Shut down, disconnect the power cord from the power supply, wait 1/2 a minute and take off the two memory stick and clean the contacts.
Run this hardware monitor - https://www.hwinfo.com/
It will give you all hardware information.

 

[mjf]

Another thing to check:
1) Go to start and run msconfig.exe
2) Go to the Boot tab
3) select advanced options
4) uncheck the box for "maximum memory" if it is checked

 

[samuria]

There is nothing wrong with the RAM if it's reporting all 4 gigs it being used by system video or other

 

[MilesAhead]

There is nothing wrong with the RAM if it's reporting all 4 gigs it being used by system video or other

My reading of the OP is that it is not reporting ram being used by the hardware and subtracting that from the total usable by programs. Just the opposite. It states that 3 GB is reported total with no smaller amount designated as "usable." That's why I thought the page germane where the hw utility software detects the ram properly but Windows does not.

Edit: OK I think I see what you mean now. We are dealing with a video interface that borrows main memory rather than just mapping its own dedicated ram into the address space.

 

[AddRAM]

Open Task Manager, then click Resource Monitor, then click the memory tab and post a snip.

Example:

 

[matharoo]

Hey samuria, it's nice to see you again.

Resource Monitor:


HW Monitor:


HW Monitor again:


I did search for some relevant settings in the BIOS, but I don't think I saw anything that could solve this, though I probably could've missed it. I don't know anything about the BIOS settings. I did see something like "DVMT" which had the options "DVMT / Fixed / Both", and DVMT was selected, with its size being 128MB. There were other options too, all under a "VGA" heading. Could this be relevant?

My GPU has 1 GB memory of its own but dxdiag shows me around 2.2 GB.

Hope you guys can help me. Thanks.
Also, what if I take shots of all my BIOS screens and post 'em here, so you can tell me what options will help?

 

[samuria]

If the video is showings extra memory and you add the extra to what Windows is reporting that seems to account for it all

 

[matharoo]

If the video is showings extra memory and you add the extra to what Windows is reporting that seems to account for it all

Okay but how do I fix it? How do I reduce the extra memory used by video and assign it to the main memory?

 

[Megahertz07]

Try Shared Memory on BIOS settings.

 

[matharoo]

Try Shared Memory on BIOS settings.

There is no such option.
My BIOS is similar to this one: Phoenix - Award BIOS simulation and help

And here are all the screens, have a look and see what can be tried:





















img

 

[Megahertz07]

What you have under Advanced Chipset - VGA settings - PEG - Onchip VGA control?

 

[matharoo]

What you have under Advanced Chipset - VGA settings - PEG - Onchip VGA control?

Okay I'll see tomorrow if that works

 

[AddRAM]

According to Resource Monitor you have NO memory dedicated to video (nothing is showing as hardware reserved)

But, you only have 3070 MB of memory showing up, something is definitely wrong.

Although you said CPU`z shows the correct amount.

That`s 1026 MB not showing up in Resource Monitor, where is it

Maybe it`s just a glitch, take the memory out, start the PC without memory, let it give you the beeps, shut it down and reinstall the memory.

Then restart the PC, give us the results.

 

[Layback Bear]

Having the complete System Specs would be helpful.

Any way check the motherboard manual and see what the default is for Gate A-20.

 

[mjf]

Apparently you haven't bothered checking the msconfig boot settings.

 

[matharoo]

Having the complete System Specs would be helpful.

Any way check the motherboard manual and see what the default is for Gate A-20.

Apparently you haven't bothered checking the msconfig boot settings.

What else do I need to check? The current settings are Normal Startup and the Maximum Memory option is unchecked. I have even tried setting the Maximum Memory to 4096, but to no avail.

According to Resource Monitor you have NO memory dedicated to video (nothing is showing as hardware reserved)

But, you only have 3070 MB of memory showing up, something is definitely wrong.

Although you said CPU`z shows the correct amount.

That`s 1026 MB not showing up in Resource Monitor, where is it

Maybe it`s just a glitch, take the memory out, start the PC without memory, let it give you the beeps, shut it down and reinstall the memory.

Then restart the PC, give us the results.

Doesn't make any difference... I even swapped the RAM sticks..

-----------
What could this be? It is kind of weird that where programs like HWMonitor/CPU-Z show the correct amount of RAM, even the BIOS shows wrong RAM (3GB). :shock:

 

[matharoo]

I just read a similar thread on Tom's Hardware and the OP's issue was solved by updating their BIOS. My BIOS is a Pheonix-Award BIOS version 6.00PG and MB is Intel AWRDACPI. Any help on how to update would be great. Meanwhile I'm searching too.

sorry for the double post, i don't use forums much

EDIT: I just read on many sites that updating the BIOS can be a dangerous task and can even brick the computer. I think I will just live with 3 GB Ram, however, I read somewhere that still having 2x2 RAM instead of 2x1 is better for a PC. Is that true?