3GB (2.94GB) usable from 4GB. Windows 7 Alienware 32-bit! Please help

[Windterror]

Help! I use an HP ProBook 4430s. I installed 2 2GB Ram, but only 2.94 GB is usable. I checked in resource monitor, and it said it is hardware reserved. My laptop uses Windows 7 Alienware 2010 using an Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2450M CPU @ 2.50GHz with a 32-bit OS. Oh, and I don't know if this'll help or not, but I use an Intel(R) HD Graphics Family with the clocks core = 648 MHz and its memory size = 1283 MBytes. (Checked using CPU-Z)

Help please! Sorry for disturbing (not good with computers.)

 

[COLGeek]

Your video adapter (aka, GPU ) is using the memory. Also 32 bit operating systems can only use up to 4GB of memory. All is as should be here.

 

[Windterror]

Your video adapter (aka, GPU ) is using the memory. Also 32 bit operating systems can only use up to 4GB of memory. All is as should be here.

Can't I like.. reduce the amount of memory it uses. Does changing the GPU help? I need 4 GB of ram to do something in my laptop...

 

[COLGeek]

In your BIOS you may be able to reduce the amount of memory the video adapter uses. Nothing you can do about the 32 bit limitations.

 

[Windterror]

In your BIOS you may be able to reduce the amount of memory the video adapter uses. Nothing you can do about the 32 bit limitations.

Can you direct me to a website or something for a way to change the BIOS?
-Thanks

 

[COLGeek]

You should be able to find that info at the hp support website. Btw, you will never get all 4gb of memory. Sounds like you need to consider installing a 64bit OS

 

[Windterror]

You should be able to find that info at the hp support website. Btw, you will never get all 4gb of memory. Sounds like you need to consider installing a 64bit OS

If I install a 64-bit OS, will I be able to use all 4 GB?

 

[COLGeek]

Not as long as your system only has 4gb and the video adapter uses some of that memory. You would have to increase your system memory.

 

[COLGeek]

What are you trying to do that requires 4gb? Also, why are you using an Alienware OEM version of Windows on an HP?

 

[Windterror]

What are you trying to do that requires 4gb? Also, why are you using an Alienware OEM version of Windows on an HP?

Is it not efficient to use Alienware on HP? Usualy, for a game 😛
Sorry for the late reply..

 

[COLGeek]

Technically, you are violating the OEM license by using the Alienware build. Closing this thread now.