Solved Only 763MB of 3GB Ram Available - WTF?

[DerekPan]

Hey Everyone,

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate on an eMachines E642. I bought the laptop with 1GB built in and had them add an additional 2GB. Unfortunately, right now the system only reports seeing 763 MBs. It's ridiculous - I can't even run 5 tabs in my browser without taking up 90% of my ram. Screenshots of the System screen and Task Manager attached.

Anyway, I'm aware of the "only seeing 3GB out of 4GB" problem people experience with x64:

http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/70064-x64-win7-reporting-only-3gb-out-4gb-ram.html

After reading through a few threads, I'm pretty sure that's not the issue. I'm only seeing 760MBs out of 3GBs, I don't think that's my graphics card / OS taking up the RAM.

One solution I wish I could try is the memory remapping. There is no "Chipset" option in my BIOS and I don't see memory remapping anywhere. And yes, I've updated to the latest BIOS.

Any suggestions?

Thanks guys =)

- Derek

 

[DerekPan]

Here are the CPU-Z screenshots, as well as the Resource Manager's memory screen.

 

[Solarstarshines]

I think the answer would be your hardware is useing it up

if you look in the grey area you have there it is reserved meaning when it is needed for something demanding it will be enabled


Also filling out the specs on the bottom would help are you running x64 /x32 ?

also wondering if your board settings need to be calibrated ?

these are things that could be screwing you up

 

[DerekPan]

Heya,

I don't think it's #1, because Windows gets REALLY slow when it hits 700 MBs. It doesn't reallocate any more memory, it just caps out.

I'm running x32.

How do I calibrate my board settings? As far as I can tell, there's no RAM options in BIOS ...

 

[Solarstarshines]

I noticed you are running a E -machines there's really no way to get around it prebuilt factory setup maybe you should call the distributer or consult your pc guide that came with it

 

[pooch]

Hi Derek
Go into your BIOS do not do anything while you are there, then select save and quit to come out again.
This is the wierdest answer I have heard but it also seems to work for others
I hope this helps

Please post back if it actually makes a difference or indeed if not lol

 

[carwiz]

Check your manual on how memory modules are installed and assigned. Many motherboards (BIOS) will assign different types/sizes of modules as separate memory areas. Depending on how it's installed can also cause access to revert to single channel rather than dual channel--In essence, slowing down your PC. It appears your 2Gb module has been assigned to hardware and thus can't be used by Windows to allocate memory to software.

I would replace the 1Gb module with another 2Gb module and make sure they (2x2Gb) are installed in dual channel mode. I'm not familiar with the eMachines so I can't say which slots on your board are which channels. You'll need to check your manual. The alternative would be to replace the 2Gb module with another 1Gb module. In any case, use the same type and size of modules so the BIOS will assign it as contiguous memory.

 

[DerekPan]

Pooch: No effect =/

carwiz: Man =( Another $40 on RAM ... I was really hoping to just pay for a complete, working 3GB package and not have to install anything. Not in the same city I bought the laptop in so I can't take it back to the store. Aight .. I'll see if I can find a store that'll switch out the 1GB for a 2GB of the same type/size. (I've never opened a laptop before ... Don't think I want to do it myself.)

Thanks guys =)

If anyone else has any suggestions before I take it into the store, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

- Derek

 

[Solarstarshines]

It is a good thing you are taking it back to the store

They will have no choice but to fix that issue and don't take thiere excuses for a answer

Also keep in mind opening up the Laptop yourself will result in voiding the warrenty which wouldn't be very smart for the reasons you want to make then either fix the memory issue or issue you something that works better because of it being faulty or what ever issue

I wish you alot of luck and hope-fully they will do the right thing and fix your issue without charging you to do so ....

 

[Fumz]

There isn't anything you can do about mmio mapping. MMIO devices take RAM before the OS loads; Windows gets what's left over.

This is a really odd one though...

 

[whest]

The usable memory may be less than the installed memory on Windows 7-based computers

 

[ha1o2surfer]

run MSCONFIG, and on the Boot tab, you see a button that says advanced options. make sure the maximum memory check box is UNCHECKED. (second option in that link on the post above mine)

 

[sygnus21]

Also filling out the specs on the bottom would help are you running x64 /x32 ?

You REALLY do need to fill out your system specs to get a proper answer on what going on with your system.

Also your CPU-Z reading are really confusing. Not really sure if you have 1, 2, or 3 gig or RAM installed

Here's mine for example....



If you click the Memory tab it'll show (should) all your memory installed. Never mind - I see your CPU-Z memory tab says you have 3gig or memory installed.

However I also notice you have to different memory densities installed - One 1gig module in slot 2, and one 2gig module in slot one. Not sure that's working too good for you.

Anyway without system specs it's all a guess.

 

[DerekPan]

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to report back what happened, in case future users run into the same issue.

It's kinda anti-climactic ... I think it was just bad RAM. I took it into the store, they changed the chip and -wala- it works.

Thanks for everything guys. It's amazing how you guys give your time away for free so we can fix our problems.

Cheers =)

- Derek

 

[seavixen32]

Thanks for letting us know Derek, we can mark the topic as resolved and the solution may help others in the future.

And thanks for your kind words about forum members - much appreciated.

 

[Solarstarshines]

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to report back what happened, in case future users run into the same issue.

It's kinda anti-climactic ... I think it was just bad RAM. I took it into the store, they changed the chip and -wala- it works.

Thanks for everything guys. It's amazing how you guys give your time away for free so we can fix our problems.

Cheers =)

- Derek

Im all for helping my fellow Tech if you will in todays world people don't have alot of money to go throwing it away on BAD companies and there silly return and packaging policy

Makes you wonder how good of a product are you really getting and further more don't they have quality control for this type of thing ?

Or do they not care and figure 50 out of a 1000 bad one's would be ok

I feel when you buy something especially from a corporate big wig they should atleast back the product up or make sure it is doing the job before being releasd just saying

 

[bugeo]

Solved after days of thinking that my memory is bad...or gone....y got the 2 memory out of them slots.Clean them up...tried each one separatly....Same problem....got them out again...REMOVED the stickers(glued paper!...you now REPLACE Whit Spare No..XXXXX) Got them carrefuly back ...and...Voila!! 2,74 Gb Usable from 3 Gb!!That"s more like it!...worth trying several times whit these pieces!!Good Luck to those who will try it,and thank"s for all the good answers from all these pages~!!Compaq Presario CQ 56 106 SL

 

[dwarfer66]

Maybe it doesn't recognize a 2GB ram chip, only 1's?