Only 3gb Usable out of 4gb Memory in Windows 7

[ocean]

I had a problem which I never addressed in windows XP. I installed 4GB of ram, but my XP used to see only 3gb. Now I thought installing WIndows 7 would solve this, but no again only 3gb is usable out of the 4. Here is the specs of my machine, any help is appreciated.

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Running Windows 7 on following:

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Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU E7200 @2.53GHz

Installed Memory: 4.00 GB (3.00 GB Usable)

System type: 32-bit Operating System

Motherboard:Gigabyte mATX Intel G31 775 DDR2-800 GA-G31M-S2L

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Graphics Card: Nvidia Geforce 9600 GT


Please Help.


Side questions for windows 7
1. Can i use vista drivers to install my monitor? because right now windows 7 sees it as pnp monitor, and on Dell's website my monitor drivers are not available for Windows 7 only for Vista. I have the Dell sp2208wfp
2. Can I use Google Chrome? the Vista version? for win 7?
3. Are there any tweaks that i can use in order to boost the performance for windows 7, it seems a bit slow on my machine.

Here are the results:
Windows Experience Index follows:
Processor: 5.9
Memory: 5.9
Graphics: 6.8
Gaming Graphics:6.8
Primary hard disk:5.9
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Any help appreciated.

 

[4745454b]

Running Windows 7 on following:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU E7200 @2.53GHz

Installed Memory: 4.00 GB (3.00 GB Usable)

System type: 32-bit Operating System

Got it figured out now? Win7 ships with a 64bit version, and your hardware should be ok to use it. Upgrade to the 64bit version and fix this issue.

 

[mindless728]

System type: 32-bit Operating System

like above said, there is your problem, upgrade to the 64bit (though its not really an upgrade but a fresh install)

 

[ocean]

is this a 100% solution? what if i upgrade and the problem persists?

 

[4745454b]

It won't. Trust us.

 

[EXT64]

The 3 or so GB limit was a limit of a 32-bit OS. Was the same for XP, Vista, and of course 7. It will go away if you go 64-bit. For example, on the computer I am trying on, I have XP-32 (which shows 3.25GB) and 7-64 (which shows 4GB, all usable).

 

[ocean]

Ok, but isnts 64-bit OS less compatible with most programs?

 

[x-nitrous-x]

Ok, but isnts 64-bit OS less compatible with most programs?

I run a 64 bit version of Windows Vista Ultimate x64 and have never had any problems with compatibility.. everything that needs to run in 32 bit runs great and everything that uses 64bit addressing runs faster!

http://blogs.msdn.com/hiltonl/archive/2007/04/13/the-3gb-not-4gb-ram-problem.aspx

check out that link.. hope that helps..

 

[4745454b]

XP 64bit had issues, but I remember them being mostly driver related. Vista 64bit fixed this, and win7 is supposed to be even better. Many people now run 64bit windows, and like nitrous have no problems. I wouldn't run it if your hard/software was older.

 

[vaarien]

i am running a 64 bit version of 7 home premium and its says 8 gb, 3.5 usable...any clue beyond running 64-bit cuz i am there

 

[x-nitrous-x]

i am running a 64 bit version of 7 home premium and its says 8 gb, 3.5 usable...any clue beyond running 64-bit cuz i am there

Vaarien, what is the model number of your motherboard you are referring to?

 

[4745454b]

Some motherboards require you to turn on a memory remap feature. Look for one in your bios.

 

[ocean]

thanks everyone for the help here is my next question:

3. Are there any tweaks that i can use in order to boost the performance for windows 7, it seems a bit slow on my machine.

Here are the results:
Windows Experience Index follows:
Processor: 5.9
Memory: 5.9
Graphics: 6.8
Gaming Graphics:6.8
Primary hard disk:5.9


Any help appreciated.

 

[x-nitrous-x]

thanks everyone for the help here is my next question:

3. Are there any tweaks that i can use in order to boost the performance for windows 7, it seems a bit slow on my machine.

Here are the results:
Windows Experience Index follows:
Processor: 5.9
Memory: 5.9
Graphics: 6.8
Gaming Graphics:6.8
Primary hard disk:5.9


Any help appreciated.

I would overclock your CPU to at least 3.0ghz ~ 3.2ghz

1066 ddr2 really sped me up..

also raid 0 really did some great enhancements to my system

 

[shortstuff_mt]

You can do a google search for "Windows 7 optimization". Do this at your own risk, though.

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-7-services-optimization-guide

 

[vaarien]

it is an hp board the model number i got from them is P5LP-LE


i looked in the bios for a memory remap option and nothing was there, but in bios it detect all 8 gigs...not entirely sure why windows 7 isn't recognizing them..

 

[vaarien]

here is the cpu z valdiation info, prolly a little more specific than i can be

Intel Pentium D 930
Windows 7 (6.1) Home Premium Edition (Build 7600)
CPU Arch : 1 CPU - 2 Cores - 2 Threads
CPU PSN : Intel Pentium D CPU 3.00GHz
CPU EXT : MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 EM64T
CPUID : F.6.2 / Extended : F.6
CPU Cache : L1 : 2 x 12 / 2 x 16 KB - L2 : 2 x 2048 KB
Core : Presler (65 nm) / Stepping : B1

Freq : 3000.92 MHz (200.06 * 15)
MB Brand : Asus
MB Model : EMERY
NB : Intel i945P rev A1
SB : Intel 82801GB (ICH7/R) rev A1

GPU Type : NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT
GPU Clocks : Core 550 MHz / RAM 400 MHz
DirectX Version : 10.0

RAM : 8192 MB DDR2 Dual Channel
RAM Speed : 333.4 MHz (3:5) @ 5-5-5-15
Slot 1 : 2048MB (6400)
Slot 1 Manufacturer : PNY Electronics
Slot 2 : 2048MB (6400)
Slot 2 Manufacturer : PNY Electronics
Slot 3 : 2048MB (5300)
Slot 3 Manufacturer : Kingston
Slot 4 : 2048MB (6400)
Slot 4 Manufacturer : Corsair

 

[b82]

I post a link to the motherboard specification below:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00864946&lc


Note in the memory section it says:
"Maximum HP/Compaq approved memory is 4GB"

 

[b82]

Here is an HP forum post about what sounds like a similar issue.

http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?admit=109447626+1257113688446+28353475&threadId=1279113

In it they suggest Crucial (memory company) say that a particular HP motherboard can only recognise 1 GB per slot for a max 4GB. Perhaps your mobo is in that category.

You may like to try the Crucial System Scanner, and see what it says about your system. Google it.

 

[tcsenter]

i looked in the bios for a memory remap option and nothing was there, but in bios it detect all 8 gigs...not entirely sure why windows 7 isn't recognizing them..

Because your Intel 945G chipset is hard limited to 4GB MAX and does not support memory remapping.

 

[vaarien]

what kills me is that in the bios of the MB it posts all 8 gigs, and if i run linux it posts all 8...vista read all 8..i am lost

 

[tcsenter]

The BIOS is not constrained by the chipset in being able to report more RAM than can be physically addressed. Software can read the module SPD through WMI or SMBus.

 

[vaarien]

so the short of it is that i need to get a new mobo, the fun will be finding on that fits my case and works with all the crap i have..yay i am guessing there is no way to flash the chipset or whatever so it will use all 8 gigs is there?

 

[tcsenter]

Nope, its a hard limit of the chipset. Motherboard is standard Micro ATX, all connectors are standard.

 

[x-nitrous-x]

"yay i am guessing there is no way to flash the chipset or whatever so it will use all 8 gigs is there?"

if that were only the case!!