Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: sirzune on November 19, 2011, 02:40:09 PM

Title: Computer not recognizing full ram
Post by: sirzune on November 19, 2011, 02:40:09 PM: I just inserted an identical 2GB ram module in a Lenovo ThinkCentre computer. It actually worked quite fast with just the 2GB module, but I happened on an identical machine and took out the ram and put it in the one I'm using. It only registers 2.99 GB ram. How can that be when this machine can take 8GB ram? Any solutions? Thanks. This may be helpful:

Time of this report: 11/19/2011, 13:43:20
Machine name: 2PZ-OFFICE
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_qfe.101209-1646)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: LENOVO
System Model: 6072A81
BIOS: Lenovo ThinkCentre BIOS Ver 2RKT38.0
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6550 @ 2.33GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 3062MB RAM
Page File: 532MB used, 4414MB available
Title: Re: Computer not recognizing full ram
Post by: truenorth on November 19, 2011, 02:59:31 PM: If you can remember when you had only the one ram module in what amount of ram were you showing? How many Ram slots in the computer and have you tried them all?truenorth
Title: Re: Computer not recognizing full ram
Post by: nickgr5 on November 19, 2011, 04:14:42 PM: What about the BIOS? Will it recognise all the gigabytes of RAM, or is it just Windows?
Also, bear in mind that 32bit operating systems might not recognize your RAM after a certain ammount. This doesn't apply while using a 64bit operating system though.
Title: Re: Computer not recognizing full ram
Post by: mylogon on November 22, 2011, 08:30:23 AM: Quote from: nickgr5 on November 19, 2011, 04:14:42 PM
What about the BIOS? Will it recognise all the gigabytes of RAM, or is it just Windows?
Also, bear in mind that 32bit operating systems might not recognize your RAM after a certain ammount. This doesn't apply while using a 64bit operating system though.

He's right. 32bit versions of windows will only recognise up to 3GB of RAM, even if you have a 64bit CPU. If you are running a 32bit OS on a 64bit CPU, then I recommend you upgrade to a 64bit OS.
Title: Re: Computer not recognizing full ram
Post by: soybean on November 22, 2011, 09:47:30 AM: I've found numerous sources that say 32bit versions of windows will recognize up to 4GB of RAM but I believe the actual limit is usually 3.5GB, which happens to be my situation.
Title: Re: Computer not recognizing full ram
Post by: patio on November 22, 2011, 09:52:55 AM: In my experience it varies slightly ...somewhere between 3.5 and 3.8...depending on the machine.
However they need to weigh the cost factor of a 64Bit OS vs. another 5 to 8% increase in usable RAM.
Title: Re: Computer not recognizing full ram
Post by: Computer_Commando on November 22, 2011, 11:06:37 AM: The machine I'm on now will accept a maximum of 2.75GB.
2-1GB + 2-256MB = 2.5GB (this is the current configuration)
4-1GB = 2.75GB
3-1GB = 2.75GB
3-1GB + 1-256MB= 2.75GB

Manufacturer says 2.0GB is the limit.
Title: Re: Computer not recognizing full ram
Post by: Lumpy44 on November 23, 2011, 09:03:11 PM: Im running the same OS and it will run 3Gb max ram even with 6Gb installed. Yes a waste, but I dont have anything else to put the stick in.