vRAM, RAM.

[robertcarringto]

Ok, bare with me. New to all this.

I'll start from begining. 3 1/2 year old comp, never tinkered with the hardware, just software. Until about a week ago. Running Windows 7 32-bit (we recomended for my comp).

Had problem with screen, blue dots, etc. So bought new graphics card (Radeon HD 5770) and fixed the problem. Everything ran fine, all games smooth, etc.

So, after getting my first taste of updating the hardware, decide to upgrade my RAM from 2GB to 4GB.
Bought installed, and bingo, 4GB. (This is where it starts going wrong)

ISSUE 1:
Then tried running some games and it started coming up with, Memory running dangerously low and not starting up. (game in question FM2010).
So checked specs and it says 4GB (3GB Usable). Although i'm concerned about why i can't use all 4GB, my main concern is why games have decided to stop working.
The error message that comes up says it need 1.8GB to run. And i'm wondering how it possibly ran when i had just 2gb.

ISSUE 2:
On another game, it comes up with the error message, The video card does not have the neccessary specs - requires 64mb. Forgiv me if i'm wrong but my nice shiny new Video card has 1GB vRAM, does it not?

So i have a feeling the 2 issues are linked. but i'm not an expert. possibly not able to access my 1gb on G-card so spilling over into my 3gb of usable RAM.



Priority, fixing the issue to be able to run my games again.
Secondary finding a way to get all 4GB running. (been reading some forums and seen tips like upgrade to 7 64-bit, but don't think my comp can handle it, also tips like updating BIOS, but seems needlessly risky - only an option if all else fails)

 

[Jonathan_King]

I believe it is the fact that you are running a 32-bit OS. I'm not sure of this, but because you have a total of 5GB, and 32-bit can only handle 4GB, that may be why.

 

[Frostmourne]

1) 32-bit OS cannot access more than 4GB due to address space limitations - you should have gone for x64.

2) Did the RAM you buy match CAS latencies, other timings and speed? Matched set?

3) What game?

 

[robertcarringto]

reply

hi - no the two new 1gb have a different mHz.
and thought that could be the problems... so tried just the 2 old memory stick, and just the two new ones, but same issue persists.
This makes me think that some settings have auto adjusted, and need re-correcting, but what, where and how?

 

[robertcarringto]

second game was Pro Evo 08

 

[robertcarringto]

How would i go about installing 64bit Windows 7, from 32bit?

 

[Jonathan_King]

You will need to reinstall Windows. Find a friend with a 64-bit disc, or call Microsoft, and they may ship you a DVD.

You product key can still be used to activate it.

 

[Dwarf]

First of all, we need some specs of your system, in particular the make and model number of your motherboard and which processor you have installed.

 

[Frostmourne]

hi - no the two new 1gb have a different mHz.
and thought that could be the problems... so tried just the 2 old memory stick, and just the two new ones, but same issue persists.
This makes me think that some settings have auto adjusted, and need re-correcting, but what, where and how?

That's the issue, try the 2 sticks and only the 2 sticks and then see if that works - new memory should be the same brand, same CAS latencies, same speed. same type.

 

[pparks1]

As others have said, a 32-bit OS can only address 4GB of RAM total. That takes into account your video card...which has 1GB. So, that is why you have 3GB usable of your system RAM.

 

[Wishmaster]

Have you un-installed the old video drivers... run driver sweeper and install the newest graphics drivers in that order after upgrading the card?
As well as disabled onboard graphics if there are any?

As mentioned, all the RAM should match.

However,what you can try for now:
if the new is faster or tighter timings you can try adjusting it all to the slowest speed of the bunch, and the loosest timings of the bunch.

I/E 2 sticks DDR2 667 5-5-5-15 and 2 are DDr2 800 4-4-4-12
Set them, all at 667 5-5-5-15

Although having them all match is by far the best route as already mentioned, and highly recommended.
You can try this to see if it helps, but I wouldnt leave it that way.