2 memory slots, 256MB each slot, but total only 448MB?

[David Deley]

My friend's old computer has two memory slots with 256MB memory in each
slot (the maximum allowed). However, the reported memory is only 448MB
instead of 512MB. Why might that be?

HP Compaq Presario 7360

 

[Grinder]

My friend's old computer has two memory slots with 256MB memory in each
slot (the maximum allowed). However, the reported memory is only 448MB
instead of 512MB. Why might that be?

HP Compaq Presario 7360

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shared_Memory_Architecture

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?dlc=en&lc=en&product=94462&cc=us&docname=c00013978

 

[AdenOne]

Yes, you motherboard is reserving 64MB for the onboard graphics chip -
you can usually adjust this amount; 32MB, 64MB, 128MB or similar, or
get you full memory back by installing a dedicated graphics card. (AGP
or PCI-E)

 

[Strobe]

My friend's old computer has two memory slots with 256MB memory in each
slot (the maximum allowed). However, the reported memory is only 448MB
instead of 512MB. Why might that be?

HP Compaq Presario 7360

That's exactly 64Mb gone.
Usually, this means that some system RAM is being borrowed for video use.
You can check (and alter) this in the BIOS - if you want to.

 

[Plato]

My friend's old computer has two memory slots with 256MB memory in each
slot (the maximum allowed). However, the reported memory is only 448MB
instead of 512MB. Why might that be?

HP Compaq Presario 7360

Because the onboard video card is using 64 meg of the onboard ram.