RAM

[Guest]

Hi guys
Here's a question which I am sure must have a simple answer, but can't for
the life of me think what it might be.
When I look in control panel / system properties, the General tab shows the
system spec. - listing the RAM at 384mb; now I know that this machine has
512mb RAM installed - at least that's how it was sold (it's an Acer Aspire
E500 PC). What has happened to the other 128mb ? Have I been sold short?
Look forward with interest to your replies.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi guys
Here's a question which I am sure must have a simple answer, but
can't for the life of me think what it might be.
When I look in control panel / system properties, the General tab
shows the system spec. - listing the RAM at 384mb; now I know that
this machine has 512mb RAM installed - at least that's how it was
sold (it's an Acer Aspire E500 PC). What has happened to the other
128mb ? Have I been sold short?

You very likely have on-motherboard video, instead of a separate video card,
and the missing 128MB is being used for that.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for clearing that up Ken

You very likely have on-motherboard video, instead of a separate video card,
and the missing 128MB is being used for that.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks for clearing that up Ken

You're welcome. In my view, calling a machine like yours a 512MB machine,
although it's literally true, is deceptive marketing unless the ad also
states that only 384MB are usable. But all the manufacturers do it.

 

[Plato]

When I look in control panel / system properties, the General tab shows the
system spec. - listing the RAM at 384mb; now I know that this machine has
512mb RAM installed - at least that's how it was sold (it's an Acer Aspire
E500 PC). What has happened to the other 128mb ? Have I been sold short?
Look forward with interest to your replies.

The "missing" ram is likely due to your onboard "half a" video card
taking 128 ram for itself.

Next time. Buy a Computer that has a separate video card that does NOT
take motherboard ram to operate.