Missing RAM

[Guest]

Hi, I hope someone can help me. I should have 512MB of RAM on my computer
but when I check my system information it shows that I only have 480MB of
RAM. Where did the rest of it go, or could something be using it. I am
hoping to use a program that needs 512MB and presume the reason it isnt
working is the missing RAM. I have run all my anti-virus software plus used
CCLeaner and defragmented my hard drive. No difference, although not sure if
that should have made a difference anyway.

PLEASE help me find my missing RAM!!!!!

 

[Guest]

A good question, i assume you are referring to a game that requires 512 of
ramor a prog, well when you puter starts up, It takes away a percentage of
your ram to work backgroung programmes, i also have found this when playing
games, the Ram isnt what i expected to be. I found that by using the windows
startup editor, i managed to eliminate most of these startup progs, but that
didntget me anymore than you have quoted above.
As a result i will be buying a 512mb stick, purely for this reason, and then
i got my other 512 stick todo windows stuff.

 

[Bob Harris]

The "missing" RAM is probably dedicaded for use as video RAM, because you
have what is known as "integrated" or "on-board" video. 512 - 480 = 32, and
32 was a common size for video RAM. Newer video cards, or even new
integrated video, use more (64, 128, even 256 Meg).

If this is a descktop PC, you could install a separate video card and then
change the BIOS settings to recover the RAM, since the video card comes with
its own high-speed RAM. That would also enhance performance of things like
games that are video-intensive.

Or, on any PC, you might be able to simply add RAM. Check the motherboard
or PC manual or contact the vendors's support group about how to upgrade
RAM. If you are lucky you might be able to add just one stick of RAM, and
that can be fairly cheap. But, be careful, some RAM must be added as
matched pairs. The makers of RAM often offer an on-line RAM-finder service,
based on make/model of PC or motherboard and can often tell you which of
their products will work and whether the RAM must be replaced as pairs. A
Google search on "ram manufacturer" would be a good place to start.

 

[Bob Harris]

By the way, ikf you want to find out what is inside the PC, without opening
it, try the free diagnostic program, called fresh Diagnose, available at:

http://www.freshdevices.com/index.html

While free, they do ask you to register, and they do occcassional send some
email, but infrequently.

Also, if you would like a quick on-line determination of current RAM and
potential to expand, go to the Crucial home page and run their RAM scanner:
http://www.crucial.com/ Use the blue "scan my system" button and not the
green "am I ready for Vista" button. Be sure to check the little box on the
next screen, indicating that you accept their licensing conditions.

 

[Guest]

Thank you very much Bob and Marky. I take it from both your posts that my
only solution is to spend money on either RAM or new video card. I am afraid
I have no money to spare at the moment so I may forget about the game for now.
My computer was made to my requirements so it doesnt have a make although I
do have the information on the motherboard etc..... somewhere in the house!?!
I will look into it after xmas.
Thanks again for your quick replies.

 

[Bob Harris]

It occurs to me that I have been attempting to answer the question you asked
about RAM, instead of the ones that perhaps you should have asked about the
program that is not working:

What is the program?

Does it say on the box or CD or website that it compatible with XP?
If an old DOS/95/98/ME program, then be aware that it may never run under
XP. But, you might play with XPs patibility modes", if it is an older
program.

If it is a very new program, does it specify a version of XP beyond what you
have, such as SP-2, when you have SP-1?

Does it specify any video card or sound card requirements, and does your PC
meet them?

Does it specify any free disk space requirements and does you PC meet those,
both for the initial installation and for possible temporary files while
running. For example, I recently downloaded a free program from NASA called
Worldwind and that wanted 10 Gig (10,000 Meg !) of dedicated temp space.
Fortunately it let me change that to a lower number, and it runs acceptably
with only 1Gig of dedicated temp.

Does it install without errors? If errors during installation, what are
they? If no install errors, what run-time errors?

Does it require any libraries that are not part of XP (e.g., Visual Basic,
..Net, IE6, etc) These are usually free downloads, but you might have to
personally do the download and installation, since not all programs do that
for you.

Does it require a high-speed CD drive or DVD drive and do you have one?

Does the program CD/DVD have to be in the tray in order to run the program?
Some programs use the CD as a sort of license key, even if they install its
contents on the hard drive.

Are you attmepting to run this program with other user programs running?
Remember, every program uses RAM ! Try closing all programs except your
antivirus and firewall. If no antivirus, get one ASAP ! If no firewall,
turn on the XP firewall ASAP, then think about getting a better one !

Finally, have you contacted the program maker for advice? Sometimes they
can be very helpful. But, as a courtesy to them, please read their FAQs,
common problems/solution, etc before posting a request for help.

 

[Guest]

Sorry I didnt get back to you sooner. It was a downloadable poker game that
I was trying to play. PKR. I have just been emailing their customer support
and they have been very helpful. My RAM wasnt the problem after all. As you
said it was my video card. I need Geforce version 3 or higher. Will have to
look into getting it. My video card is S3 Graphics ProSavage DDR and you
cant even get updates for it anymore. So anyway it looks like I will have to
stick with Paddy Power Poker for a bit longer..... Lol!
Thanks again for your help and sorry if i was wasting your time.