Solved Laptop 4Gb Memory Installed, 3.75GB usable

[abc617]

I decided to give my laptop (Acer 5535) an upgrade in RAM so I got a 2GB stick to bring the total amount of RAM to 4Gb. But now it seems that there only seems to be 3.75GB of the RAM usable. I know that the integrated graphics takes some of the RAM, but this laptop has the ATI HD 3200 graphics, which according to my dxdiag takes up 1916Mb (1.87Gb) [512MB according to notebookcheck.net].

I read somewhere that perhaps it's my hardware or chipset that limits the usable, but since I couldn't find anything on my computer's hardware that does so (the instruction manual indicates the laptop can be upgraded to a max of 4GB memory.

So I was wondering if there is any way to allow my computer to utilize all 4GB, or is it simply the limitation of my laptop's hardware.

Screenshots provided by dxdiag and Resource Monitor in case that might provide any information:
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/9466/39016126.jpg

 

[marsmimar]

A 32-bit operating system will support a maximum of 4GB RAM minus a some amount for BIOS, graphics, and other hardware needs. Most 32-bit systems will see on average 3 - 3.5GB usable RAM. This Microsoft forum thread (specifically, the post by SpiritX about half-way down) has several good links for additional info.

Maximum RAM For Windows 7 32-bit - Microsoft Answers

 

[vaidas3]

A 32-bit operating system will support a maximum of 4GB RAM minus a some amount for BIOS, graphics, and other hardware needs. Most 32-bit systems will see on average 3 - 3.5GB usable RAM. This Microsoft forum thread (specifically, the post by SpiritX about half-way down) has several good links for additional info.

Maximum RAM For Windows 7 32-bit - Microsoft Answers

in his attached screen shot it says he has windows 7 ultimate 64bit so it is 64bit os. (not sure why in forum system specs it says 32bit.. maybe different pc)

back on topic. maybe your pc uses integrated graphics that shares system memory?
and the ~256MB is reserved for VGA

 

[marsmimar]

in his attached screen shot it says he has windows 7 ultimate 64bit so it is 64bit os. (not sure why in forum system specs it says 32bit.. maybe different pc)

Thanks for pointing that out. I totally missed it.

What does Resource Monitor show?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/12523-resource-monitor.html

 

[pbcopter]

The bottom left of the OP's screen shot shows the resource monitor. At least the relevant part.

 

[stormy13]

Part of what dxdiag is showing is this,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/89278-video-memory-virtualization-brief-guide.html

Think if you check in the bios or even with something like this,

GPU-Z Video card GPU Information Utility

it will show that the HD 3200 only has 256 MB of actual ram allocated.

 

[IIllytch321]

Hardware reserved says 258MB(0.258GB). Windows acknowledges that there is 4GB installed, but only 3.75GB being "usable". Seems to me that 4.00GB - 0.258GB = (approximately) 3.75 GB.

Hardware is probably the onboard video. I read max supported is 512MB, so onboard video could be the case. Everything's probably normal O.P., don't fret.