Only 2GB ram usable after installing ATI Radeon 5850

[Griffo]

Hi all

I'm running Windows 7 Pro, 32 Bit, 4GB ram.

I have just recently (in the last week) installed an ATI Radeon 5850 Graphics Card to run triple screens.

Everything seemed to be ok, but today (6 days after installation) when I right click on "Computer" in the start menu, and choose "Properties", windows tells me there's 4GB there but only 2GB usable.

I did a search on the forum and found the issue discussed many times. Part of my issue I think is that the graphics card is using some shared memory (although I didn't notice it earlier in the week). I saw that others had posed from dxDiag so I found where that was - here is the result

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x6899)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6899&SUBSYS_03481043&REV_00
Display Memory: 1782 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1016 MB
Shared Memory: 765 MB
Current Mode: 5040 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

If this is my problem, how do I go about fixing it?

Cheers
Griffo

 

[tw33k]

Check your BIOS for re-mapping options.

 

[Griffo]

Wow that was quick tw33k, thanks.

I'm not so good when it comes to that side of things, so I'm off to google it.

Gigabyte P55-UD3R is the motherboard I think.

Is there any easy way to explain where the option "might" be (guessing it's different for each type of motherboard?)

Thanks
Griffo

EDIT - just found this on google

The BIOS must support the memory remapping feature. The memory remapping feature allows for the segment of system memory that was previously overwritten by the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) configuration space to be remapped above the 4 GB address line. This feature must be enabled in the BIOS configuration utility on the computer. View your computer product documentation for instructions that explain how to enable this feature. Many consumer-oriented computers may not support the memory remapping feature. No standard terminology is used in documentation or in BIOS configuration utilities for this feature. Therefore, you may have to read the descriptions of the various BIOS configuration settings that are available to determine whether any of the settings enable the memory remapping feature.

 

[HonorGamer]

I think it could be because it is sharing your RAM with your graphics card.

Correct me if i am wrong please.

 

[yowanvista]

Hi all

I'm running Windows 7 Pro, 32 Bit, 4GB ram.

I have just recently (in the last week) installed an ATI Radeon 5850 Graphics Card to run triple screens.

Everything seemed to be ok, but today (6 days after installation) when I right click on "Computer" in the start menu, and choose "Properties", windows tells me there's 4GB there but only 2GB usable.

I did a search on the forum and found the issue discussed many times. Part of my issue I think is that the graphics card is using some shared memory (although I didn't notice it earlier in the week). I saw that others had posed from dxDiag so I found where that was - here is the result

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x6899)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6899&SUBSYS_03481043&REV_00
Display Memory: 1782 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1016 MB
Shared Memory: 765 MB
Current Mode: 5040 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

If this is my problem, how do I go about fixing it?

Cheers
Griffo

You are using a 32-bit OS, use 64-bit to use all your RAM

 

[Griffo]

Hi HonorGamer

I'm guessing that is it, but notice it has 1GB dedicated before the shared. I also only noticed the drop today (system slowed up quite noticeably) - but I hadn't noticed it before today, even though I've been on it all week.

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is how to lose the shared graphics memory (if that is at all possible).

I'm just hutning around trying to figure out how to do the bios remap that tw33k has suggested.

Cheers
Griffo

 

[tw33k]

I'm not sure exactly what it will say in your BIOS but if it's there you'll find it. You do realise tho that with 32 bit you can only use 3GB max?

 

[Griffo]

Hi tw33k

Yes I realise the 32 bit limitation - just seemed weird that it dropped today (or at least that's when I noticed it).

I think I will definitely look to a 64 bit system though.

Thanks
Griffo

 

[yowanvista]

Hi tw33k

Yes I realise the 32 bit limitation - just seemed weird that it dropped today (or at least that's when I noticed it).

I think I will definitely look to a 64 bit system though.

Thanks
Griffo

You must do a clean install if you want to install x64

 

[tw33k]

Even with x64 you'll need to sort the memory mapping problem or it will happen again.

 

[yowanvista]

As tw33k said you must enable Memory Remap feature in your BIOS

 

[Griffo]

tw33k and yowanvista - thanks very much for all your input, it is greatly appreciated.

I'll go and have a hunt around in the bios, haven't found anything on google as yet (specific to mine).

Cheers
Griffo

 

[tw33k]

Good luck. You'll find it if it's there.

 

[Ex Ante]

Been there, done that

Hi,

you could check this out :

http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/119861-maximum-usable-memory-32-bit-win-7-a.html

As stated there, your problem is the 32-bit OS, that has a restriction on how much memory it can map.

I made a clean install of 64-bit Windows 7 to my comp, and now all the RAM is in proper use. Before doing the clean install, it's useful to have an external drive where you can transfer most of your files with "Easy Transfer". And you'll need all the installation files for your applications, because they'll get sweeped in the process.

BR
Ex