I installed 2Gb RAM on my PC and Windows shows less than half?

[monster4007]

So I got 2 new 1 Gig PNY sticks of RAM, and installed them and now my comp
won't show but 894 Mb of it. And to top it off I have to use more virtual
memory until i can figure this out. Someone help me out please.

 

[usasma]

It depends upon what (if any) is allocated for your video card. The settings
for that should be in your BIOS.

If your video card takes 128 mB, then the 894 mB is likely right for one
stick. So, I'd suspect the other stick. Which one is it? Well, take one
out and see what it says - then try the other stick in the other slot and see
what it says. Memory can be a bit tricky to get seated correctly.

PS - Ensure that you remove the battery (if it's a laptop) and the power
cord before opening up the case.

- John

 

[JW]

The information in the following KB article may apply to you.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605/en-us

 

[Dustin Harper]

Did you add 2 MORE sticks of RAM, or 2 total? If you have more than 2
sticks, and it's around 4 GB total, it is a known limitation of a 32 bit OS.

 

[monster4007]

Sorry guys i guess i could have clarified it a little bit. I bought two 1GB
sticks of RAM, I removed the old ones of 512mb and installed the two new
ones. I thought it was supposed to show close to 2 Gb of RAM now but instead
just showing less than half. I think its not recognizing it somehow, it's
the same number as the old (pc2-5300)

 

[Ian D]

Sorry guys i guess i could have clarified it a little bit. I bought two
1GB
sticks of RAM, I removed the old ones of 512mb and installed the two new
ones. I thought it was supposed to show close to 2 Gb of RAM now but
instead
just showing less than half. I think its not recognizing it somehow,
it's
the same number as the old (pc2-5300)

Run msinfo32.exe to see how much memory is reported for Total Physical
Memory. For 2 GB it should say something close to 2048 MB.

 

[Bob F.]

Sorry guys i guess i could have clarified it a little bit. I bought two
1GB
sticks of RAM, I removed the old ones of 512mb and installed the two new
ones. I thought it was supposed to show close to 2 Gb of RAM now but
instead
just showing less than half. I think its not recognizing it somehow,
it's
the same number as the old (pc2-5300)

You should be reading near 2G. Check the hardware installation section in
your computer manual. Sometimes they are to be installed adjacent to each
other, sometimes in alternate sockets, etc. Also put them in one at a time
and reboot. Look for 1G for each. One of them may be bad.
BobF.

 

[f/fgeorge]

well thts easy you have to write in the bios upgraded ram amount it will
probably say 1024 mb still you must type 2048 mb (for 2 gb).
To access the bios menu at the start of the computer when its booting
you press a key probable f1 or f10 or f12. thanks

Actually I have never had to physically write the amount in, but I
have always had to go into the bios to get it to register. Sometimes
you press the F1 key, sometimes the F2 key, sometimes the F10 key and
other times the del key. Also check how much you are using for video
memory. If you are using onboard video then part of your memory is
being used for it.

 

[m1esk]

Solved.

Here's a very late reply but hope it could help a few frustrated souls...

Situation: I upgraded my laptop from 1GB to 3GB (1GB + 2GB config), did so by inserting my new RAM into slot 2. BIOS and sys prop shows 3GB, but Task Manager only shows 894Mb (~1GB). Tried putting the 2GB RAM into slot 1 and the old RAM into slot 2 - no use.

Solution:
1. Power off computer.
2. Remove ALL RAMs from all slots.
3. Insert the 2GB RAM into slot 1.
4. Start computer and check memory in Task Manager (mine said about 2GB)
5. Power off computer.
6. Insert the 1GB RAM into slot 2.
7. Start computer and check Task Manager - hopefully it shows 2831MB.


Cheer up, you haven't wasted your newly bought RAM