Windows 7 Professional RAM issue

[DanUK]

Hi guys.

I hope you can help me please.

I have a Sony VAIO VGN-Z21WN/B laptop (which has the P9500 chipset) specs are here: Sony Vaio VGN Z21WN/B Specs - DealTime.co.uk

Since upgrading to Windows 7 Professional (32bit) my system information says I have 4GB ram installed (which is correct) but only 2.93GB available?

Is there any way to resolve that?

Thanks!

 

[ba5ik]

If you want to be able to use all 4Gigs you need to use 64bit.

 

[DanUK]

Ah... damn. This was the only upgrade option I received.

There's no workaround?

 

[logicearth]

Look in the BIOS for a memory remapping option. If it does not have that option you will never see all of your RAM regardless if you are using 32bit or 64bit. http://blogs.msdn.com/hiltonl/archive/2007/04/13/the-3gb-not-4gb-ram-problem.aspx

 

[ba5ik]

my system information says I have 4GB ram installed

you don't need to go into your bios... and no there is no work around. if you stay with 32 bit you will just have 1 gig not being used

 

[DanUK]

Ah I only just saw your reply ba5ik. After your reply logicearth, I rebooted and went into the BIOS, sadly no mention of memory remapping.

Thanks for the replies guys...

Would this have been the same in Vista? I remember seeing memory was 4gb (not any less) - or does Win7 just report it correctly now?

 

[ba5ik]

windows is "seeing" your RAM just fine... the 32bit OS can only use 3GB

 

[DanUK]

Okay, thanks for the help.

 

[whs]

Well, something is odd here after all. I wonder what takes the more than 1GB of address space. It is not your graphics (which is usually the culprit). It has only 256MB memory and does not use any shared memory. With a similar configuration on one of my systems, it keeps 3.25GB of RAM. I think it merits further investigation. Here is an article that may give you a clue where to look: Reader Question: Maximum Memory in 32-bit Windows Vista - Windows Vista help