Increase RAM use

[mmh982]

Hi all,

I have a HP2000 series laptop. The OS is windows 8.1, 32 bit. I had 2 GB built-in RAM which I recently upgraded to 6GB by adding a 4GB RAM. The laptop recognized this as I can see 6 GB memory, but only 2.66 GB in use.

Please let me know what should I do to increase memory use near to 6 GB. I tried with msconfig->advanced option->boot->uncheck memory option. but it did not work. I can still see memory 6GB, 2.66 GB in use.

Seeking your advice.

Thanks,

Mainul

 

[Colif]

You only have 32bit version of windows, most ram it can access is 3.5gb, rest of ram is ignored by operating system. 32bit also shares some of your ram memory addresses with your graphics card so it might even be less than 3.5gb

Only way to use more than 3.5gb is to install win 8.1 in its 64bit form. Then you get a lot closer to 6gb. Unlike 32bit, 64 bit doesn't share memory addresses of your ram with the graphics card, and can give you about 5.9gb of ram to play with.

 

[mmh982]

Hi Colif,

Thanks for your message. After your comment, I have upgraded from windows 8.1 to 10, but it still has 32 bit installed. My processor would support 64 bit.

Could you please let me know whether I can convert to 64 bit without having to partition hard drive. would the data in hard drive be affected I upgrade to 64 bit. Is there any easy way of conversion from 32 to 64 bit.

Thanks,

Mainul

 

[ElectrO_90]

I dont know how much data you have, but maybe you should backup your stuff using Dropbox or something else like that.

How did you install windows 10, where did you get it from?

 

[Colif]

Yes, back up info because the only way to convert to 64 bit is a fresh install of windows 10 using the 64 bit version. Win 10 32bit & 64bit are the same licence so it doesn't cost anything. You can't get to 64bit without a clean install so chances are your drive will be wiped. Save it all

Depending how you upgraded, you may need this - download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB - make sure to make a 64bit installer

this will help - https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html