Vista RAM Question

[Guest]

Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no changes
except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as displayed in
Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take) of RAM
is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for some
reason with Vista?

 

[Lang Murphy]

Not sure if this exact issue was covered yet, however...
I recently upgraded to Vista from XP, on same Notebook, with no changes
except to the OS... With XP, I had 1GB (give or take) of RAM, as displayed
in
Windows Task Manager. However, with Vista, only 500MB (give or take) of
RAM
is displayed... is this common, or is half of my RAM inaccessable for some
reason with Vista?

Depends... do you have two 512MB sticks? If so, maybe one of them "came
loose." Try reseating your RAM.

If you have a single 1GB stick, then check to see what's eating up the 500MB
of RAM. Doubtful that it's be your on-board video card...

Lang

 

[Guest]

No Memory Sticks, just the Laptops internal base RAM... That's what I mean, I
didn't change anything, just installed Vista, so... I don't know...

 

[DP]

The "base RAM" should still take the form of "sticks," in other words RAM
modules.
It's not like the computer has RAM hardwired into the machine like a Vic 20
or an Atari.
They are in the form of removable modules. If you have two such modules, one
of them may have shaken loose.

 

[PapaJohn]

Hmmm.... makes me wonder if my issue is related. I got a new Vista Home
Basic laptop, which came with 2 slots, one with a 1/2 GB memory stick.

I bought two 1 GB sticks but have a problem.... if I put either one of them
in with the original 1/2 GB, I get 1-1/2 GB total. If I put either of the
new 1 GB sticks into either slot, I have 1 GB. But if I put both new 1 GB
sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I get a checksum error and it
won't boot up.

It's a Toshiaba Satellite... I'll be checking with them.

 

[xfile]

Hi,

My 2 cents,

Do you know how to get into BIOS settings? If so, go there and see memory
size reported there. If it's 1GB, I'll guess it has something to do with OS
for your problem, otherwise, I'll guess it might be a hardware problem.

You should be able to find out how to getting into BIOS settings from your
user's manual - usually press F2 or Del key or ?? during boot-up.

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[xfile]

Hi,

Just trying to understand so others may help you,

You said..

if I put either one of them in with the original 1/2 GB, I get 1-1/2 GB
total.

OK, but..

If I put either of the new 1 GB sticks into either slot, I have 1 GB.

Did you put in the original 1/2GB? Because if not, you got the below
checksum error, and if yes, you got the first result (1-1/2GB), so how did
you get 1GB recognized?

But if I put both new 1 GB sticks in without the original 1/2 GB stick, I
get a checksum error and it won't boot up.

Could it be that your system/MB uses "dual channel" meaning memory sticks
have to be put into matching banks alougth may not require identical
modules?

Did you try 2 x 1GB? Will it work?

Just guessing so others may help you.

 

[xfile]

Sorry, I misread your problem, please disregard my post.

You said you tried 2 x 1GB.

I have no idea.

 

[PapaJohn]

yes, that's the only way I get a checksum error, by putting in both 1 GB
sticks to move the RAM up to 2 GB.... that was my goal when purchasing the
two new 1 GB sticks.

Both 1 GB sticks work fine by themself in either slot. 1/2 GB works fine...
it should as it's the one that came with the computer. Either 1 GB stick
with the 1/2 GB one work fine for 1-1/2 GB total.

Thanks for thinking about it

 

[xfile]

You are welcome and good luck

yes, that's the only way I get a checksum error, by putting in both 1 GB
sticks to move the RAM up to 2 GB.... that was my goal when purchasing the
two new 1 GB sticks.

Both 1 GB sticks work fine by themself in either slot. 1/2 GB works
fine... it should as it's the one that came with the computer. Either 1 GB
stick with the 1/2 GB one work fine for 1-1/2 GB total.

Thanks for thinking about it

 

[Guest]

I should be able to find the BIOS Settings, I believe I know where that is...
thanks xfile

 

[xfile]

You are welcome and post back results so experts here can help you

 

[Lang Murphy]

The "base RAM" should still take the form of "sticks," in other words RAM
modules.
It's not like the computer has RAM hardwired into the machine like a Vic
20 or an Atari.
They are in the form of removable modules. If you have two such modules,
one of them may have shaken loose.

DP,

Thanks for clarifying the details... I tend to hesitate to get into the
nitty-gritty on first response. Sometimes that generates a reply along the
lines of "What do you think I am, an idiot? I've been using computers
since... blah, blah, blah..."

Lang