How to configure ram?

[maranatha4u]

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.

 

[zigzag3143]

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??

 

[maranatha4u]

Reply To You, ZigZag

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??

_______________________________________________________________

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.

 

[profdlp]

Do you have onboard video?

 

[maranatha4u]

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?

 

[DocBrown]

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html?ltr=S

Dell =

 

[profdlp]

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?

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.

 

[maranatha4u]

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)

 

[profdlp]

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.

 

[maranatha4u]

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/weeklycommunications/documents/Obituary_FrankCHild.pdf).

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

 

[profdlp]

Ha! Found it!

Documentation

It looks like you are unable to completely disable the onboard video. My guess is that they want to charge you a C-Note for an updated BIOS which provides that option. There may be a free BIOS floating around somewhere, but flashing it always carries some risk. Personally, I think 256MB is not really worth going to extraordinary measures. For half of what they want to charge you to "fix" it you could replace your RAM with a pair of 4GB sticks and have 8GB (minus the measly 256MB for the onboard video, of course.)

 

[maranatha4u]

WOW! But, would this tower accept the 8g of RAM?

 

[profdlp]

With the cautionary note that Dell is famous for having dozens (or more) of possible configurations of computers bearing the same model number, I'm sure you can. The picture I found for your rig shows a total of four RAM slots. I'm guessing that only two of them are currently filled. Adding two more 2GB sticks would total 4GB more RAM for a grand total of 8GB. The only hitch here is that mixing brands and types of RAM can occasionally cause problems. The safe route is to remove the RAM that's in there and replace them with a matched set guaranteed to work with your computer.

Crucial is an outstanding brand and promises to replace anything which doesn't get along with your computer:

SDRAM, DDR2 and DDR RAM memory upgrades from Crucial.com

(For some reason, some of their recommendations are way overpriced. You can do better price-wise.)

Fortunately, RAM is dirt cheap these days, which makes the "safe route" I described above even more appealing.
EDIT: Looks like DDR2 RAM has actually gone UP. I'd consider adding a 4GB kit with a compatibility guarantee.

Here are some examples:

Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Memory, Desktop Memory, 8GB (2 x 4GB), 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM

Finally, I am sorry to hear about your dad. Looks like he was quite a guy who certainly lived a full and worthy life. God bless you and your family.

 

[maranatha4u]

Wow - tremendous! Thanks so very much Steve for your help here. Sorry I had to leave you this morning . . . had to get some "shut eye." In your estimation, if I were to get the RAM from Crucial, would there be anything further I could do to make this system faster (and, it's not slow currently; I just want to optimize it to its full potential)? Here attached is the system screenshot, just in case you didn't get the one I erroneously copied and pasted last evening. Thank you also for condolences for dad . . . I "teary-eyed" my way through the Memorial Service at his church, as I loved him so very much.

 

[profdlp]

A couple things worth mentioning, since the impetus behind your wanting to max out your RAM is due to perceived slowness of the computer.

1) 4GB (minus a tad for the onboard video) is a respectable amount. Unless you are doing video editing or rendering, or are in the habit of having dozens of things running at once, it ought to serve for most other purposes. Without knowing what you use the computer for it's hard to say if adding loads more RAM would be a dramatic improvement.

2) Which brings us to another issue. Dell is fond of putting a lot of their utility programs on their computers and having them all load at startup. I'd recommend running Startup Inspector for Windows - Free and then use the Snipping Tool to post a screenshot of what it finds. Chances are that you have stuff running behind your back that you don't need.

3) Fill out your complete System Specs - someone with eyes sharper than mine may have some suggestions.

4) Your CPU is showing it's age a bit, it's listed as a Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6550 2.33 GHz. Don't expect miracles.

On the whole, if you're mainly using the computer for email and the Internet you can get by for a while. The fact that you're locked into (what I discovered yesterday) is still pricey DDR2 RAM means that I wouldn't sink a lot of money into upgrades. When the time comes, you'll get far more bang for your buck by saving the dough now and putting it into a brand new system later. I am one to use my computer until I run into something I really want to do and can't, due to the limitations of my current hardware. Unless someone is made of money it makes no sense to upgrade "just because".

 

[maranatha4u]

Thanks again Steve for you fantastic advice, as I've gotten a REAL education from you in a very short period of time. I'll do as you say about the Startup Inspector and the Snipping Tool.

Once again, thank you again for your help on all this Steve. Stay in touch . . .

 

[DocBrown]

If you download the Freeware version of SIW, it has a section that tells the maximum memory you can install on your particular MB.

:ar: Buy SIW Pro or Download SIW Freeware

 

[maranatha4u]

Thanks so much for your help; I really appreciate it.